Why Cuba?
LGC Capital Ltd (CVE:QBA) claims to be the only public company totally focused on investing in Cuba.
The country has traditionally been a difficult market for foreign companies to gain access to, with a host of lengthy processes sometimes required just to establish business operations.
This is where LGC comes in. It has offices in the country and ‘on the ground expertise’ and has built relationships with many government entities.
Almost like a conglomerate, it has its fingers in lots of pies and has active interests in a range of sectors, from sport to coffee, right through to renewable energy.
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It’s a country that is growing in popularity, which will only encourage foreign companies to look to invest in it.
“We’re seeing a massive growth in tourism,” chief executive David Lenigas said in 2016.
Symbolic sports content
LCG’s 50/50 partner for Cuban sport, Rushmans, recently marketed the broadcasting and advertising rights for the historic football (soccer) match between Cuba and the USA in November.
The match was the first time the United States had visited Cuba for a football match in more than 50 years.
Rushmans was appointed by the national broadcaster RTV to market and co-produce Cuban sports content and events back in September as part of the country’s commitment to opening up its sports and athletes to the world.
But that isn’t the only landmark gig the joint venture has been given. At the end of October, Rushmans was given the rights to co-produce and distribute the Cuban Baseball Series around the world.
This will be the first time that the league will be available for people to watch around the globe.
Move onto the TSX-V
Leni Gas Cuba, as it used to be known, became LGC Capital Limited after its move onto the TSX Venture Exchange back in July of 2016.
It had previously listed on the ISDX in London , but transferred onto the TSX-V after Knowlton Capital Inc completed a reverse takeover.
Speaking before the deal had been concluded, Leni Gas Cuba said: “The proposed takeover by Knowlton of the company, could deliver significant short and long term benefits to LGC shareholders, by providing greater access to the very significant North American capital markets, where there has always been considerable investment interest in Cuba through tourism, business and government-to-government relations.”
The newly-formed firm is listed on the exchange as a Tier 2 investment company under the stock symbol QBA.