Cuba: Impact of Growth at Household Level
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- Caribbean
- Events
- Business and Economy
- Politics and Government
- 01 / 03 / 2008
There is no lack of hardships for Cubans, but the 7.5 percent growth of the economy in 2007 has had its impact on the population.
All this in spite of global financial turbulences and the ongoing US blockade on the island which lasts for almost half a century,
A very important source of difficulties has been practically eradicated: power cuts were reduced by 87.5 percent compared to those in 2005, while 75 percent of low voltage zones have now normal levels of electricity, according to official figures presented at the recently concluded session of the People s Power National Assembly (Parliament).
Urban transportation had a modest increase of 10.1 percent in the capital and Minister of this branch Jorge Luis Sierra announced that over 800 buses will be added to the current fleet during 2008, also improving the situation in Santiago de Cuba and Camaguey, Isle of Youth and Holguin, formerly critical.
Housing construction closed the year with 51,790 houses built, although it still falls short of demand.
Food quality is the main target now, as supplies mostly from urban agriculture and cooperative farming have met the basic needs. Prices will also have to correspond to the average income of consumers, recognized First Vice President Raul Castro in his speech to the deputies.
He reminded that the cost imposed by the US blockade summed up 499 million dollars, amount that otherwise the country would have spent in other necessary objectives.
The nutritional level of Cubans rose to 3,287 kilocalories and 89.9 grams of protein on average in their daily diet. From 62 to 64 percent of their intake was bought at subsidized prices, said Minister of the Economy and Planning, Jose Luis Rodriguez.
The average salary rose to 408 pesos a month. Over 820 thousand workers received Cuban convertible currency as an incentive for their labor, for an equivalent of 118 million dollars.
Still, authorities and deputies recognized there is much more to be done in order to satisfy peoples needs and make the economy work efficiently to achieve proposed goals which, in a centrally planned economy, means that each citizen gives according to his capacity and in turn receives according to his or her work.
(www.invasor.cu)
All this in spite of global financial turbulences and the ongoing US blockade on the island which lasts for almost half a century,
A very important source of difficulties has been practically eradicated: power cuts were reduced by 87.5 percent compared to those in 2005, while 75 percent of low voltage zones have now normal levels of electricity, according to official figures presented at the recently concluded session of the People s Power National Assembly (Parliament).
Urban transportation had a modest increase of 10.1 percent in the capital and Minister of this branch Jorge Luis Sierra announced that over 800 buses will be added to the current fleet during 2008, also improving the situation in Santiago de Cuba and Camaguey, Isle of Youth and Holguin, formerly critical.
Housing construction closed the year with 51,790 houses built, although it still falls short of demand.
Food quality is the main target now, as supplies mostly from urban agriculture and cooperative farming have met the basic needs. Prices will also have to correspond to the average income of consumers, recognized First Vice President Raul Castro in his speech to the deputies.
He reminded that the cost imposed by the US blockade summed up 499 million dollars, amount that otherwise the country would have spent in other necessary objectives.
The nutritional level of Cubans rose to 3,287 kilocalories and 89.9 grams of protein on average in their daily diet. From 62 to 64 percent of their intake was bought at subsidized prices, said Minister of the Economy and Planning, Jose Luis Rodriguez.
The average salary rose to 408 pesos a month. Over 820 thousand workers received Cuban convertible currency as an incentive for their labor, for an equivalent of 118 million dollars.
Still, authorities and deputies recognized there is much more to be done in order to satisfy peoples needs and make the economy work efficiently to achieve proposed goals which, in a centrally planned economy, means that each citizen gives according to his capacity and in turn receives according to his or her work.
(www.invasor.cu)
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