Cuba Says One-fifth Of Economic Reforms Implemented

Cuba Says One-fifth Of Economic Reforms Implemented

HAVANA, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- Some one-fifth of economic reforms approved
by legislators in Cuba in 2011 have been implemented over the past five
years, the government said Friday.

According to China's Xinhua news agency a progress report presented
during a plenary session of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist
Party revealed that in the past five years, "21 percent of the 313
guidelines have been implemented, while 77 percent are underway," state
daily Granma reported.

Over the two-day meeting, "participants stressed how much progress has
been made ... despite the fact that some of the measures have yet to
have a real impact on the family economy, and that much remains to be
done to comply with what was approved," the daily said.

Cuban President Raul Castro, who officially succeeded his brother Fidel
in 2008, proposed a wide range of reforms designed to trim the bloated
public sector, and improve production and efficiency. The reforms were
adopted by the 6th party congress in 2011.

As part of the measures, Cubans have been encouraged to establish small
businesses or cooperatives in a range of pre-approved fields. Almost
half a million Cubans are now part of this fledgling limited private sector.

Many of the reforms lifted restrictions, such as prohibiting Cubans from
selling or buying property, including cars and homes.

The slow pace of change is in part intentional, as Cuba gradually
introduces reforms and assesses their results.

During the session, officials also presented the "Program for Economic
and Social Development through 2030," a 15-year strategy "aimed at
addressing the structural problems of the economy through comprehensive
and sustainable government policies."

One of the changes Castro spearheaded was placing a limit of two
five-year terms on all public and party posts, meaning his run at the
helm ends in 2018.

Among the reforms still pending is an initiative announced in 2013 to
scrap the country's complex dual currency system and introduce a single
currency.

Conclusions reached at the session will be submitted to the 7th Congress
of the Communist Party, to be held April 16, when in addition to
evaluating the reform program, participants will elect the new members
of the Central Committee.

The congress will be the main domestic political event in Cuba in 2016,
and also the first following the restoration of diplomatic ties with the
United States.

-- BERNAMA

Source: BERNAMA - Cuba Says One-fifth Of Economic Reforms Implemented -
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/wn/newsworld.php?id=1207602