Cuban PM on the implementation of the Government Program

Manuel Marrero Cruz speaking at the Plenary Session -- image via the PCC

By Oscar Figueredo, translated from the Spanish

When assessing the implementation of the Government Program aimed at correcting distortions and revitalizing the economy, Prime Minister of Cuba and PCC Political Bureau member Manuel Marrero Cruz, speaking at the XI Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), stated that the program aligns with strategic priorities. However, its success hinges on the ability to prioritize tasks, execute them with greater discipline, minimize dispersion, integrate participants, and secure essential resources, particularly in energy, foreign exchange, and national production.

"The main challenge is not the design of the Program, but to convert planning into concrete, measurable and perceptible results for the population, preserving sovereignty, political stability and social justice."

Marrero Cruz explained that, since it was first presented it has been continuously updated.

"After an extensive process of discussions and consultations with experts, academics and specialists from various sectors of the economy, the Program consisted of 106 specific objectives, 342 actions and 264 indicators and targets."

Discussing the context in which the government program is being formulated, Marrero Cruz noted that global growth has stayed at moderate levels, with estimates around 3%. This trend is linked to geopolitical fragmentation, trade tensions, and the volatility in energy and logistics markets.

"In this already complex scenario, Cuba continues to face the cumulative impact of the economic, commercial and financial war of the Government of the United States, reinforced in recent years with unilateral coercive measures that have increased both the severity and the breadth of sanctions and their extraterritoriality."

Overall, the Government's initiative to address distortions and rejuvenate the economy has been implemented under constrained conditions, characterized by limited electricity services, fuel shortages, restricted access to convertible currencies, and inflationary pressures stemming from both external and internal factors.

Regarding the progress in the implementation of the Government Program, he reported that, of the 90 directorates associated with the ten general objectives, 49 have been fulfilled and the rest are in different phases of implementation.

"During this period, efforts were focused on continuing the gradual process of controlling the fiscal deficit and the execution of the State Budget; studying and implementing measures to make foreign investment policies and rules more flexible; as well as the involvement of nationals residing in Cuba and overseas who have the financial means to connect with various economic actors.

Similarly, the improvement of the salary structure within the business system and the functioning of the National Institute of Non-State Economic Actors were approved. Other results were seen in the partial increase in pensions, which benefited 88% of retirees, and the investment in photovoltaic solar panels."

"During the second half of the year, intense work has been done on the preparation of the conditions related to transformation of the exchange rate and the new mechanism for the management, control and allocation of foreign currency."

Later, he emphasized that the discussion and analysis of the Program serves as an opportunity for introspection and to determine additional steps for its implementation.

Further details on the progress of the government plan, along with the subsequent steps for its implementation, will be presented in the upcoming regular session of the National Assembly.

This work was translated and shared via a License CC-BY-NC