The president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, has announced a new package of economic reforms that introduces an expansion of activities permitted to the private sector and opens the door to the entry of new players in tourism, one of the sectors most affected by the crisis.
The measures, communicated by surprise in statements to state media, come amid strong economic and political tension marked by the hardening of United States policy towards the island.
More space for private initiative
Among the announced changes, the decision to expand the scope of private companies stands out, limiting the list of prohibited activities to favor a broader business environment.
The Executive has also proposed the incorporation of new players in the tourism sector, which has suffered a significant decline in recent years due to the reduction in visitors and the departure or suspension of operations of several international companies.
Transformation of the foreign trade model
Another key measure is the progressive elimination of mandatory state import companies, which would mean greater openness in foreign trade and a reduction of the state monopoly in import intermediation.
According to the Government, the objective is to provide the economic system with greater agility and responsiveness in a scenario of foreign exchange scarcity and external restrictions.
A country under economic pressure and sanctions
The reforms arrive at a time of grave economic crisis, with shortages of basic products, energy limitations, and a contraction in tourism, one of the country's main income drivers.
In parallel, the United States has hardened its policy towards Havana with new economic sanctions and diplomatic restrictions, which the Cuban government considers a key factor in the deterioration of the internal situation.
Tourism, historically one of the pillars of the Cuban economy, has been one of the sectors most affected by the crisis. The departure of large international operators and the reduction of air connectivity have directly impacted the arrival of visitors.
The new measures seek to partially reactivate this activity through the opening to new management and economic participation models.