According to Ana Maria Ortega Tamayo, general director of Tiendas Caribe, at the Round Table on July 16, out of the more than 4,800 existing stores, only 72 will offer this service, implemented as part of the new measures to face the current economic situation in the country.

Out of the 72 stores, 57 will be selling food and toiletries, and hardware products in the other 15 ones.

A general uncertainty in social networks is what will happen to the stores that commercialize in the Cuban currency (CUC). Ortega Tamayo explained that "in the current scenario we cannot take the country's resources to import high quality food and sell them in CUC, but rather use them to acquire goods from the economic line and offer them in the economic line".

"Our objective is that there are no shortages, but that is not a scenario that changes overnight," she admitted.

Sales at hard currency," said Economy and Planning Minister Alejandro Gil, "are collateral for that segment of the market, but the essence is that it's a matter of boosting supply in local currency. However, to do this, it is vital to recover the currency and be able to finance part of the demand from stores in CUP and CUC.

What cards will be available to purchase at MLC stores?

The stores accept national magnetic cards from the banks Metropolitano S.A., de Credito y Comercio and the Popular de Ahorro, in addition to the AIS cards generated by Fincimex.

Remember that such cards were enabled from the sale of home appliances, auto parts and pieces and other merchandise in convertible currencies, since October of last year.

On the other hand, purchases are only allowed with international VISA and MasterCard cards, which are not linked to banks in the United States.

Where can one open the new USD bank accounts?

USD accounts associated with magnetic cards can be opened at the branches of Banco Popular de Ahorro, Banco de Credito y Comercio and Banco Metropolitano S.A.

Who can open bank accounts?

The accounts will be opened at the request of individuals who are permanent residents in the national territory, only upon presentation of their identity card.

What are the fundamental characteristics of these accounts?

They can be opened without making an initial deposit and will not have a minimum balance. They do not accrue interest, and no commissions are charged for their use. They do not have the benefit of the bonus that banks apply to other RED cards. It is a means of payment, issued by Cuban banks, which gives access to purchases in shops authorized to sell merchandise in USD.

Where can one receive remittances for accounts in MLC?

Remittances can be received from all those countries where there are banks that have agreements with Cuban banks for processing bank transfers. Due to the constant persecution of financial transactions in Cuba as a result of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the U.S. government, the person interested in sending remittances should inquire with his/her bank whether it accepts to make the transfer to the Cuban bank.

Where can funds for these accounts be obtained?

Bank accounts in U.S. dollars of individuals can receive funds through

Banking transfers from abroad from banks that have agreements with Cuban banks and in the currencies accepted by them, to which the exchange rate of the day will be applied for conversion to USD.

Bank transfers from other foreign currency accounts opened in Cuban banks.

Remittance transfers received from abroad through FINCIMEX S.A., for BANMET and BPA customers, except for remittances received by Western Union, which so far only delivers cash in CUC.

Cash deposits in US dollars.

Deposits in Euros, Pounds, Canadian dollars, Swiss francs, Mexican pesos, Danish kroner, Norwegian kroner, Swedish kroner and Japanese yen. The exchange rate of the day is applied to record them on the USD account. For example, if you go to a commercial bank counter with EUR 100 to deposit on the card in USD, the existing exchange rate at the EUR/CUC counter is applied 1.07550 so the customer is credited with USD 107.55.

Which are the basic products prioritized for sale in CUC?

The economic line products, mainly food, cleaning and hygiene, will continue to be sold and insured in the trade network in CUP and CUC, said the president of the Cimex Corporation at the Round Table on July 16, where the new economic measures were announced.

Powdered milk, Evaporated milk, Cheeses, Yogurt, Beef mince, Hamburgers, Turkey mince, Chicken, Sausages, Sausages, Apples, Vegetable oil, Tomato puree, other canned tomatoes, Canned meat, Canned fish, Pasta, Grains, Wheat flour, Coffee, Sugar, Salt, Detergent, Washing soap, Toilet soap, Toilet paper, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Sanitary pad, Disposable butts, Wet wipes, Shampoo, Floor blanket, Adult toothbrush, Children's toothbrush, Paints, Grey cement, White cement, Sanitary and washroom furniture, Folding doors, Interior doors, Rice cookers, Multipurpose cookers, Pressure cookers, Electric cookers, Straight fluorescent tubes, Energy saving bulbs, Beer, Malts, National soft drinks.

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