Duane Alvarez Gonzalez has a deep level of understanding regarding the Cuban legal, regulatory, and fiscal environment. He has experience in extensive negotiations in Cuba over 22 years which has provided him with insights, experience, and a vast knowledge of the Cuban market, especially in the mining and energy sector and in the hospitality, telecommunications, remittances and tourism sectors in Cuba. Duane is currently leading, since 2015, the Tax and Regulatory Consultancy work for Ernst & Young in Cuba managing multiple engagements for EY on behalf of many major international companies looking to do business with Cuba. Advice provided has included legal, tax, regulatory assistance with process issues as well as general advice regarding the overall market conditions and market dynamics.

He is also an Advisor (Consejero) at Oceancard de México, a prepaid product in Cuba where remittance funds can be deposited instantly, with more than 20,000 cards in circulation in the island.

Previously Duane worked as a legal & regulatory advisor to Sherritt International (Sherritt) and its various subsidiaries. Sherritt is Cuba’s largest international investor and has ongoing involvements in oil & gas (through various production sharing contracts), nickel (Moa Nickel S.A.) and energy generation (Energas S.A.). It has also been involved in telecommunications (Cubacel), soya (PDS), and the hotel industry in Cuba (participations in various Meliá properties). Duane provided corporate, legal, tax and regulatory advice to Sherritt for the incorporation of Moa Nickel S.A. (1994) and Procesadora de Soya (PDS) 2005 as well as the sale of Sherritt’s hotel interests in Meliá Las Américas & Meliá Habana (2010)  as well as the acquisition by Sherritt of Cubacel (2001).

Duane studied law and graduated from Universidad Anáhuac in Mexico in 1984 and lives currently in Miami spending equal time in Cuba, Mexico and the US.