Reform expectations lowered

Army General Raul Castro wearing a white guayabera gave a televised address before the National Assembly (Cuban Parliament) yesterday addressing critical issues befacing the country.

The BBC calls Castro’s address his most sombre assessment of Cuba’s economic situation since he succeeded his brother Fidel in February.  He said would have to lift restrictions on salaries more slowly than anticipated and key reforms could be affected by global rises in food and oil prices.

Castro said “the salary problem” was being studied and would be addressed “gradually and according to priorities” but that quick action may not be possible.

Castro’s speech was preceded this week by National Assembly meetings in which government officials warned that belt-tightening would be needed due to rising prices for fuel and imports.  They also said the government would decentralize a sagging construction sector to make it more efficient and consider raising the retirement age to help Cuba cope with an aging population.

[Photo: AFP]

Related posts

• Fidel and retirement (0)
• Castro Parliament Bid Supported (0)
• After Fidel, The Deluge (0)
• Will Cuba Become a Global Ethanol Player? (0)
• Upsurge in violence (0)