Weber ShandwickGlobal PR agency Weber Shandwick today announced it has obtained a license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, thereby granting the Interpublic unit permission to pursue opening an office in Cuba.

When complete, that shop's induction would represent one of the first U.S.-based marketing services firms to establish a ground presence in the Caribbean nation.

The recently obtained Treasury Department license, authorized by the department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, gives Weber Shandwick permission to participate in the transactions needed to establish an office in that country, which has seen a marked improvement in U.S. diplomatic relations in recent years due to efforts led by President Obama. Those renewed diplomatic ties have stirred demand from U.S. companies expressing interest in establishing a Cuban foothold. Both countries in 2015 inked a deal to reopen embassies in their respective capitals.

Havana, CubaWeber Shandwick now has permission from the U.S. government to employ staff, market its services and open and maintain accounts at Cuban financial institutions.

The agency in a statement said it now plans to embark on discussions with the Cuban government for the purpose of securing the further permissions needed to open and operate a shop that serves clients in that country. Weber Shandwick has since submitted an application with the Cuban government, and is currently awaiting invitation for an official visit with Cuban authorities.

The agency said it would seek to establish a presence in Cuba’s capital, Havana.

“For us, having an early presence on the ground in Havana is an important step as we provide support to our clients who are interested in entering the market,” Micho Spring, Weber Shandwick global corporate practice chair, told O’Dwyer’s. “We’ve been advising companies regarding Cuba for many years in anticipation of change. Interest has dramatically risen with the Obama administration’s new policy towards Cuba and we look forward to continuing to help our clients navigate this complex political and economic landscape, which we know well."

Weber officials today confirmed with O'Dwyer's that the agency doesn’t know at present when it would be able to break ground on its planned Havana shop. Spring in a statement said its goal is to open an office “as soon as it is legally permissible.”

IPG subsidiary Weber Shandwick currently operates offices in 126 cities across 81 countries.