President Raul Castro is stressing the economic importance the Mariel Economic Zone represents for the country, in the province of Artemisa, west of Havana.

The statesman described the works at that Cuban port as the most important project implemented to date in Cuba, during a visit to check on its progress, reported the national press.

During the meeting, Raul Castro learned about the works related to roads, water supply, telecommunication infrastructure, electricity, dredging of the bay, and technical systems for security and protection.

He said the Cuba future is being defended in Mariel, because the bases of the necessary economy boost for the nation are there.

The president also called attention to the rigorous respect for maintenance that is part of the policy designed for this investment to prevent cost overruns.

The head of State congratulated the project's workers for their progress, and exhorted them to keep advancing.