• A man sells beans inside a state-run market in Havana. Many Cubans expressed hope the restoration of diplomatic ties between Cuba and the US will mean greater access to jobs and the comforts taken for granted elsewhere. Desmond Boylan / AP Photo
    A man sells beans inside a state-run market in Havana. Many Cubans expressed hope the restoration of diplomatic ties between Cuba and the US will mean greater access to jobs and the comforts taken for granted elsewhere. Desmond Boylan / AP Photo
  • Yosuan Crespo, a private real estate agent, poses in front of his office in Havana. Many Cubans are already imagining a more prosperous future after the US said it will put an end to 50 years of conflict with the communist-run island. Reuters
    Yosuan Crespo, a private real estate agent, poses in front of his office in Havana. Many Cubans are already imagining a more prosperous future after the US said it will put an end to 50 years of conflict with the communist-run island. Reuters
  • Two women chat at a window of a cafe in Havana. The Cuban private sector is confident that US measures to begin normalising relations with the communist island would improve business activity. Alejandro Ernesto / EPA
    Two women chat at a window of a cafe in Havana. The Cuban private sector is confident that US measures to begin normalising relations with the communist island would improve business activity. Alejandro Ernesto / EPA
  • A photo of revolutionary icon Che Guevara is displayed on top of a TV in Havana. The restoration of diplomatic ties between Cuba and the United States has unleashed expectations of even more momentous changes in Cuba. Ramon Espinosa / AP Photo
    A photo of revolutionary icon Che Guevara is displayed on top of a TV in Havana. The restoration of diplomatic ties between Cuba and the United States has unleashed expectations of even more momentous changes in Cuba. Ramon Espinosa / AP Photo
  • A car drives past the building of the the US diplomatic mission in Cuba. Desmond Boylan / AP Photo
    A car drives past the building of the the US diplomatic mission in Cuba. Desmond Boylan / AP Photo
  • People line up to take the bus outside the Capitolio in Havana, Cuba. Ramon Espinosa / AP Photo
    People line up to take the bus outside the Capitolio in Havana, Cuba. Ramon Espinosa / AP Photo
  • A man sells tomatoes on a street of Old Havana in Havana. Ramon Espinosa / AP Photo
    A man sells tomatoes on a street of Old Havana in Havana. Ramon Espinosa / AP Photo
  • Old American cars in a street of Havana. Fidel Castro imposed a law after assuming power in 1959 that prevented anyone without government permission from importing foreign automobiles. Yamil Lage / AFP
    Old American cars in a street of Havana. Fidel Castro imposed a law after assuming power in 1959 that prevented anyone without government permission from importing foreign automobiles. Yamil Lage / AFP
  • A street entertainer waits for tourists in Old Havana. The normalisation of ties between the US and Cuba could be a boon to the poor and isolated country. Desmond Boylan / AP Photo
    A street entertainer waits for tourists in Old Havana. The normalisation of ties between the US and Cuba could be a boon to the poor and isolated country. Desmond Boylan / AP Photo
  • Bank notes from various countries are displayed on the wall of a beverage shop Havana. Desmond Boylan / AP Photo
    Bank notes from various countries are displayed on the wall of a beverage shop Havana. Desmond Boylan / AP Photo
  • A double-decker bus waits for tourists to board in Old Havana. Enrique De La Osa / Reuters
    A double-decker bus waits for tourists to board in Old Havana. Enrique De La Osa / Reuters
  • US president Barack Obama's policy shift towards Cuba would allow American businesses to export goods such as building materials, farming equipment and communications infrastructure to the island. Above, A tangle of old and new electrical circuits sit on a wall in a building in Havana. Ramon Espinosa / AP Photo
    US president Barack Obama's policy shift towards Cuba would allow American businesses to export goods such as building materials, farming equipment and communications infrastructure to the island. Above, A tangle of old and new electrical circuits sit on a wall in a building in Havana. Ramon Espinosa / AP Photo
  • A woman stands on the street in downtown Havana. Many Cubans are already imagining a more prosperous future after the US said it will put an end to 50 years of conflict with the communist-run island. Alexandre Meneghini / Reuters
    A woman stands on the street in downtown Havana. Many Cubans are already imagining a more prosperous future after the US said it will put an end to 50 years of conflict with the communist-run island. Alexandre Meneghini / Reuters

Business

US-Cuba relations warming up — in pictures

Liz Claus

December 21, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

US president Barack Obama’s plan to reinstate ties with cuba is likely to flood the island with new goods – from consumer basics, to telecoms infrastructure and heavy equipment.

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