Cuba Dedicates 22.6 percent of GDP for Social Programs

CUBA, December 22, 2006.- Cuba will dedicate 22.6 percent of its Gross Domestic Product in 2007 to guarantee the development of social programs including education and public health for all citizens. The figure is far greater than other countries in Latin America.

Cuba’s Finance and Prices Minister Georgina Barreiro presented the country’s proposed 2007 budget on Friday to the full Cuban Parliament meeting at the Havana Convention Center.

Many of the island’s top leaders including First Vice President Raul Castro were present at the session.

Barreiro said that financial resources will increase for health care, education, culture, and social assistance, the payment of pensions, as well as the country’s defense and home security.

The proposed budget also prioritizes public transportation, energy and water resources, the minister announced.

Important resources will be used to subsidize the population’s basic food and personal hygiene supplies, for which the country will invest a billion US dollars, said the Cuban government official. Barreiro also noted the need to include a sizeable emergency fund to face possible natural disasters during the year.

Barreiro said the island’s social development indicators, recognized by international organizations, are higher than those in many countries with more resources, a fact despite the nearly half century US economic blockade of the island.

Also during Friday’s session Cuban Transport Minister Jorge Luis Sierra reflected on the tense situation of public transportation and he said that certain improvements will take place during 2007 and 2008, with a priority in the transport of cargo.

Sierra said the island will be receiving 200 buses purchased in China, 50 Mercedes Benz and 344 school buses in the beginning of 2007.

He added that cargo and public transportation in rural areas will be guaranteed with trucks, while the repairs of the railway infrastructure, including bridges, lines and locomotives will be a priority next year.

The Cuban Transport Minister said that the gradual recovery of the sector will require the training of personnel in charge of the new equipment and he pointed out the need to prioritize cargo transportation for its importance in the country’s development.

(Cubaminrex-Cuban News Agency)