Miguel Díaz-Canel announced this Friday a series of that the government plans to implement, which include greater autonomy for municipalities and state-owned enterprises, the approval of pending MIPYMES, new facilities for private actors, and incentives for foreign investment, amidst the deep economic crisis that Cuba is facing.
During a meeting with official media journalists, the leader presented the initiatives as part of the regime's response to the worsening national economic situation. He stated that the measures aim to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles, stimulate production, and decentralize some economic decision-making.
Among the most significant announcements is an expansion of the powers of municipalities. As explained, local authorities will have greater powers to define the structure and relationships of economic actors in their territories, how they interact with one another, and which productive projects to promote based on the characteristics of each locality.
Díaz-Canel specified that municipalities will be able to import and export without the need for higher-level structures, manage income in foreign currency, and promote investments from both foreign entities and Cubans living abroad. He stated that the goal is for them to have "all the possibilities to decide which companies are theirs, who their economic actors are," and how to leverage the productive potentials of each territory.
The president also advocated for greater autonomy for state-owned enterprises, which could export and import directly, retain a portion of the foreign currency generated by their operations, establish partnerships with other economic actors, and freely choose their clients and suppliers.
"The aim is for it to operate without intermediaries," stated Díaz-Canel when referring to the state-owned enterprise. He went on to emphasize that these entities must function "without intermediaries, without interference in their management," with greater capacity to decide on investments, productions, and business relationships.
It was also announced that state-owned companies will be able to join the currency exchange market, a possibility that had previously been severely limited.
In the agricultural sector, the ruler promised new measures to stimulate food production. Among them, he mentioned direct access for producers to the input market and the currency market, the possibility of opening real accounts in foreign currencies at banks, and greater incentives to attract foreign investment.
Díaz-Canel also announced changes aimed at reducing idle land and promoting the allocation of land to those who can use it productively. He also discussed facilitating partnerships among state producers, cooperatives, private entities, and foreign investments.
Regarding the non-state sector, it was announced that the number of prohibited activities will be reduced to expand business opportunities for self-employed workers and small and medium-sized enterprises (MIPYMES).
He also assured that MIPYMES whose applications have been pending for months will be approved. Some of those powers will be transferred to the municipalities as part of the decentralization process announced by the government.
The number of authorized MIPYMES in Cuba had remained stagnant at around 11,300 during the past year, since the regime recorded the first decrease in that indicator in early 2025.
Regarding foreign investment, the leader promised to expedite approvals "without obstacles, with a legal framework that provides confidence for both Cubans and foreigners." He also announced tariff benefits for those who import supplies and raw materials intended for production processes within the country.
The measures also include new opportunities for economic participation by Cubans residing abroad and an expansion of the possibilities for partnerships between state-owned enterprises and private actors, a process that recently began with the implementation of new regulations on business alliances.
Another initiative announced is a restructuring of the state apparatus, which would include a reduction in ministries, agencies, and administrative positions. According to the statement, the goal is to decrease budgetary expenses and reduce bureaucracy.
Díaz-Canel noted that part of the resources freed up by this reorganization could be allocated to social programs and future salary reforms, particularly in the budgeted sector, although he did not provide specific timelines for their implementation.
The leader also reiterated the intention to gradually shift from subsidies on products to subsidies specifically targeted at vulnerable individuals and families.
Among other measures mentioned are the simplification of administrative procedures, greater digitization of economic processes, and the easing of restrictions on the importation of vehicles, particularly electric ones.
"Together we can productively drive the country forward, create wealth, and distribute that wealth with social justice," the president stated while summarizing the objectives of the announced measures.
The announcement comes weeks after the regime enacted the law to associate state and non-state enterprises, and just days after the National Assembly reported that several legislative projects are undergoing public consultation.
The measures were presented by Díaz-Canel as a response to the economic crisis facing the country. However, several of the announcements align with proposals previously put forward by the authorities that have not resulted in substantial improvements for national production or a noticeable relief for the population, which continues to face blackouts, shortages of fuel and food, inflation, and a significant decline in purchasing power.
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