'Cuba? No, we're not interested.' (US businesses obtains marketing information on Cuba) (International Weekly)

('Pssst! But exactly what's happening down there, anyway?')

A new report by a New York research firm reflects a widespread, if somewhat secretive, interest among U.S. businesses in obtaining marketing information on Cuba.

"Some companies feel that somehow even planning for Cuba is illegal," said Santiago Fittipaldi, author of the 84-page report, "Developing Business Strategies for Cuba."

"They'll say, 'No, we're not doing anything to plan for (a new government in) Cuba.' Then you find out that a consultant in South Florida all of a sudden is doing a market study or an industry report."

Fittipaldi works for Business International Corp., which is owned by the London-based weekly news magazine The Economist. The company publishes newsletters and reports for executives doing business overseas, organizes investment conferences and provides consulting. Fittipaldi said the company …