The Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz assured this Thursday that the increased participation of private businesses anticipated in the new economic measures does not mean that the State will disengage, and he made it clear that the measures will continue to be under governmental leadership.
"All the decision-making that we are implementing as a result of the transformations, where there is greater involvement of all non-state actors, let’s call them private, does not at all mean that the State, the Government, is neglecting its responsibilities," stated Marrero during a training seminar on the economic reforms promoted by the regime, as reported by the Canal Caribe.
The meeting brought together executives from central state administration bodies, local governments, and business groups to discuss the approved changes in sectors such as agriculture and commerce, as well as measures aimed at expanding the powers of municipalities.
Marrero insisted that the opening of greater spaces for non-state actors will have limits and oversight.
"The State and Government have defined by Constitution and laws what their responsibilities are towards the people, and therefore, all these measures that liberalize and expand non-state activities require guidance," he asserted.
The clarification comes as the regime attempts to introduce modifications to its deteriorating economy through a greater participation of micro, small, and medium enterprises (mipymes) and other private businesses, while simultaneously maintaining the guiding role of the State in economic activity.
The opening, however, still maintains significant restrictions. The Government keeps 79 economic activities under control that remain prohibited, regulated, or conditional for small and medium-sized enterprises, non-agricultural cooperatives, and self-employed workers, despite the reduction of limitations announced as part of the reforms.
Changes in trade and pending subsidies
During the seminar, the Minister of Domestic Trade, Betsy Díaz Velázquez, presented the new policy for the sector, which aims to unify the various existing sales modalities in Cuba under a single regulation.
The regulations encompass everything from regulated sales to e-commerce, which, as explained by the official, is defined for the first time within a specific legal provision.
Among the approved measures is the so-called «Mercado del Barrio», an initiative aimed at selling essential goods under a mixed management model involving state entities and private actors.
Díaz Velázquez recognized, however, that there is still one of the most impactful changes for Cuban households pending: shifting from subsidizing products to directly subsidizing vulnerable individuals.
More access to land for private individuals and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises
Another point discussed was the transformation of the agricultural sector.
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Telce Abdel González Morera, highlighted the approval of the new Land Law, which expands the opportunities to access state land under usufruct.
The regulations allow them to be given to individuals and legal entities, including state and private actors, as well as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, regardless of their corporate purpose.
It also removes the predetermined limits on extension, so the granted area will depend on the submitted project, and it recognizes rights over certain improvements and houses built on the land provided in usufruct.
More powers for municipalities, but also resources
The topic of municipal autonomy occupied another part of the meeting.
The Cuban Prime Minister acknowledged that transferring powers from central structures to municipalities cannot be limited to simply assigning new responsibilities without support.
"The agency, the institution that decentralizes a responsibility to a municipality, it's not just a matter of transferring it and turning your back; it's important to provide support and follow up with the municipality," stated Marrero Cruz.
The government is trying to implement these measures during one of the most challenging times for the Cuban economy, characterized by prolonged blackouts, shortages of food and medicine, inflation, and the deterioration of public services.
CEPAL projected a 6.5% contraction of the Cuban GDP in 2026, while the new economic measures have been met with skepticism by many citizens due to the failure of previous reforms.
The package includes 176 measures, referred to by the regime as "transformations", which were approved in June. According to the data released this Thursday, 155 already have legal backing for their implementation, while the remaining 17 regulations need to be ready before the end of September.
However, the measures have faced scrutiny from economists. The Cuban specialist Pedro Monreal warned about the lack of a macroeconomic anchor in the package. Additionally, Marrero's insistence on maintaining state control is not new. When presenting them in June, the Prime Minister defended the necessity to "preserve the essentials" of the model, even as the government expanded certain spaces for private initiative.
His statement this Thursday reiterates that line: more involvement from non-state actors, but without the State relinquishing control over the economy.
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