Cuba says one-fifth of economic reforms implemented

Some one-fifth of economic reforms approved by legislators in Cuba in 2011 have been implemented over the past five years, the government said Friday. A progress report presented during a plenary session of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party revealed that in the past five years, "21 percent of the 313 guidelines have been implemented, while 77 percent are underway," state daily Granma reported.

Over the two-day meeting, "participants stressed how much progress has been made ... despite the fact that some of the measures have yet to have a real impact on the family economy, and that much remains to be done to comply with what was approved," the daily said.

Cuban President Raul Castro, who officially succeeded his brother Fidel in 2008, proposed a wide range of reforms designed to trim the bloated public sector, and improve production and efficiency.

The reforms were adopted by the 6th party congress in 2011. As part of the measures, Cubans have been encouraged to establish small businesses or cooperatives in a range of pre-approved fields. Almost half a million Cubans are now part of this fledgling limited private sector.

Many of the reforms lifted restrictions, such as prohibiting Cubans from selling or buying property, including cars and homes. The slow pace of change is in part intentional, as Cuba gradually introduces reforms and assesses their results.

During the session, officials also presented the "Program for Economic and Social Development through 2030," a 15-year strategy "aimed at addressing the structural problems of the economy through comprehensive and sustainable government policies."

One of the changes Castro spearheaded was placing a limit of two five-year terms on all public and party posts, meaning his run at the helm ends in 2018. Among the reforms still pending is an initiative announced in 2013 to scrap the country's complex dual currency system and introduce a single currency.

Conclusions reached at the session will be submitted to the 7th Congress of the Communist Party, to be held April 16, when in addition to evaluating the reform program, participants will elect the new members of the Central Committee.

The congress will be the main domestic political event in Cuba in 2016, and also the first following the restoration of diplomatic ties with the United States.