Expansion of Knowledge-Based Economic Sectors

The further development of knowledge-based sectors is centrally important to Cuba’s medium- and long-term economic growth and development. Domestically and internationally, Cuba has already achieved some impressive results with a few of these products, typically considered outside the purview of third world countries. Vito Quevedo argues that Cuba’s commitment to socialism together with its world-recognized achievements in education over the entire course of the Revolution (itself part of Cuba’s commitment to socialism) have given the island an advantage over other third world countries and, in some cases, has made it competitive with first world countries. Quevedo details how Cuba built a general institutional structure and accompanying culture that promotes science, technology, and innovation. He then examines four knowledge-based product areas in which Cuba has had important successes: biotechnology; information technology and communications; energy production; and environmental protection. Such advancements in knowledge-based sectors place Cuba in the vanguard of what many scholars regard as the future of human economies throughout the world.