Hope for a prosperous 2015 for Cuba

Hope for a prosperous 2015 for Cuba / Cubanet, Miriam Leiva
Posted on January 10, 2015

Cubanet, Miriam Leiva, Havana, 6 January 2015 – The psychological
barrier utilized by the Cuban government to keep its citizens subjugated
was broken on the 17th of December. The surprising announcement that
Raúl Castro would deliver a speech on US/Cuba relations, on live
television, set off a tense anticipation of bad news. For 56 years, the
US was the enemy aggressor, supposedly the cause of all problems in
Cuba, and an excuse for repression.

The General/President went from the traditional reminder of the
confrontation to a smile upon announcing the reestablishment of
diplomatic relations with the US. Continuing the surprise was the
immediate broadcast of statements by US President Barack Obama. The
following day both announcements were published in the newspapers and
the news has been highlighted in year-end reviews on television as the
most important event of 2014.

Since then it has become the main topic of conversation. Most Cubans,
according to their aspirations, knowledge and analytical ability, pin
their hopes on the US. Among the more interesting opinions heard on the
street, an average citizen – envisioning potential benefits to the
people and the nation – could be heard remarking on how the boom in
North American travelers would stimulate the economy.

His reasoning was that there is no extensive hotel and service
infrastructure in the country. Therefore, as occurred during the 1990s,
more rooms to rent in private homes will be needed, as will more private
restaurants and cafeterias. Similarly, a greater supply of agricultural
and artisanal products will be required. There will be an increased
demand for service employees and for individuals skilled in the
construction and repair trades.

In brief, the reestablishment of US/Cuba relations could be of great
benefit for the impoverished population, the community, and Cuba as a
whole. Tourism in 2014 reached 3 million visitors, according to Cuban
media. Certainly the government continues the policy of tourism
apartheid in Varadero and the Cuban Keys.

In any case, Cienfuegos and other prime tourism spots lack the
infrastructure to absorb imminent, substantial increases in visitor
traffic. The cruise ship companies tend to be concentrated primarily in
Havana, for which the Avenida del Puerto is being upgraded, but it's
unlikely to see a big boom, given current conditions, and it won't
affect earnings from other forms of tourism. The affluence of North
Americans, with their varied interests and greater buying power, will
substantially increase demand.

The current support of the family economy would nurture the creation of
small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in turn complementing the
nation's macroeconomy, as is the case the world over including in
countries that are close to the Cuban government, such as Bolivia and
Ecuador. One could also foresee the expansion of mini-enterprises, which
in many places have provided opportunity to very poor people, primarily
women who carry the full weight of their family, and allow them to
access credit from outside the country to start their own businesses.

The Cuban government will need to expand its limits on substantial
foreign investments for its own controlled projects, above all in
tourism, and listen to the analysts and the multi-faceted cries from the
people. The restrictions created to ensure that "nobody will become
rich," continue to drag down the quality of life for Cubans. Beyond
that, it deepens poverty, corruption, and loss of values, evils
engendered by the regime.

The opportunities that President Obama has opened could increase the
Cuban people's well-being and knowledge and contribute to their
empowerment, as have measures adopted by the Island's government since
2009. The Cuban government has the opportunity not to block their
implementation for the benefit of the nation. All Cubans should be
involved in the great challenges and opportunities that open before us.

Translated by Alicia Barraqué Ellison

Source: Hope for a prosperous 2015 for Cuba / Cubanet, Miriam Leiva |
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/hope-for-a-prosperous-2015-for-cuba-cubanet-miriam-leiva/