Cuban Council of State approves four new decree laws

Photo via Cubadebate

Via Granma, translated from the Spanish

The Council of State approved four new decree laws during its regular session this Wednesday, led by its president, Esteban Lazo Hernández, and attended by Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba’s Central Committee and President of the Republic.

The first of these regulatory provisions, the decree-law titled "Amending decree-laws 88 'On micro, small and medium-sized enterprises', 89 'On non-agricultural cooperatives', and 90 'On the exercise of self-employment'" – presented by Lázara Mercedes López-Acea, president of the National Institute of Non-State Economic Actors – seeks to remove restrictions to encourage the growth and diversification of the nation's business system. This aligns with the economic and social changes related to how economic actors are managed, including aspects like approval, classification, organization, operation, and autonomy.

The decree-law "On Compulsory Civil Liability Insurance for Motor Land Transport Vehicles", presented by Vladimir Regueiro Ale, Minister of Finance and Prices, takes into account the need to unify the civil liability regimes for risk created, derived from the driving of motor vehicles, establishing the obligation to subscribe to an insurance contract for any owner of a land transport motor vehicle that circulates on the public and railway roads of the national territory, whether natural or legal persons, national or foreign, in accordance with economic and social transformations.

The decree law "On Tenders," introduced by Joaquín Alonso Vázquez, the Minister of Economy and Planning, seeks to establish bidding as the standard procedure for choosing partners in the contracting of goods, services, works, space management, productive capacities, or any other use of State resources by both state and non-state economic actors. This is within the framework of the socialist economy and the improvement of Cuba's economic and social model.

The decree-law "Amending decree-law 22 'Customs Tariff of the Republic of Cuba for Non-Commercial Imports'," discussed by the Minister of Finance and Prices, aligns with the approved economic and social transformations. It aims to authorize the commercial importation of goods by individuals who are passengers and through shipments via non-commercial channels, without it being considered a foreign trade activity.

The Council of State then conducted a thorough debate aimed at further strengthening the "My Neighborhood for the Homeland" popular-participatory movement in each area. This initiative seeks to boost popular involvement, aid in collectively solving issues, and support national priorities and local needs through its three primary areas of focus: Safe Neighborhood, Productive Neighborhood, and Participatory Neighborhood.

Following the presentation by Ana María Mari Machado, vice president of the National Assembly of People's Power, on the progress and impact of the aforementioned movement, complemented by insights from governors, municipal assembly presidents, representatives of political, mass, and social organizations, and the public, Esteban Lazo emphasized the importance of this initiative in neighborhoods and communities. This initiative fosters popular and mass participation, which are fundamental aspects of the Revolution, particularly within constituencies and popular councils.

During the day, José Luis Toledo Santander, the secretary of the Cuban legislature, introduced the proposed actions for the municipal assemblies of People's Power to implement and fulfill economic and social transformations.

Among various initiatives, the role of the popular council in assessing issues that significantly affect the community is strengthened. This includes promoting the popular-participatory movement "Mi Barrio por la Patria" and enhancing popular control as a supplement to administrative oversight within the demarcation. This aspect was also discussed during the session, particularly concerning the outcomes of agreements aimed at improving and expanding control and popular participation.

During the regular session of the Council of State, which also involved the directors of the parliamentary committees, the agreements adopted by this body in its earlier meetings were reviewed.

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