Cuban government authorities this week warned private entrepreneurs (MSMEs and other self-employed workers) that they must be vigilant and update the online payment service in their businesses before next February 2, or face the withdrawal of their work licenses.
According to Matanzas government social networks, in the west of the country, on February 2, work licenses will be removed from entities in the province that do not have a QR service to run through payment gateways, as established by Resolution 93/2023.
In a regional meeting on the so-called “banking” in Matanzas, Vice Governor Marietta Poye Zamora explained that when they go to any state or private business, it is the right of customers to choose how to pay and that an electronic option must exist. In “every economic actor”. State and non-state that carry out activities governed by the Ministry of Local Trade (Minsin).”
Meanwhile, the coordinator of banking in Matanzas, Lourdes Sarmiento Diaz, assured that this obligation will come into effect from February 2 and that after this period the activity in question will be suspended. “The resolution says so,” he said.
Electronic payments in Cuba
According to Resolution 93/2023 of the Ministry of Local Trade in Cuba, sellers, whether natural or legal persons, must offer electronic payment methods, in addition to cash, starting in February.
Arlys Alfonso Valero, head of the electronic banking department at the directorate of Banco de Crédito Y Comercio in Sancti Spiritus, also told Escambray a few days ago that the move aims to give options to people who prefer to do electronic transactions.
However, he clarified that cash will not be abolished, as there are people who do not have the technology or choose not to use it.
The resolution, fully applicable from February 2, indicates that those who sell products or provide services must request their QR codes through the national payment platform, TransferMovil or Enzona.