Chinese academics and businessmen are studying today the advances in the updating of Cuba's economic and social model, during a conference on the issue hosted by the ambassador in this capital, Alberto Blanco.
During the meeting, held in Beijing at the Institute for Students Graduated from Abroad, the diplomat gave an extensive account of the economic and social situation in his country, and the measures the country has gradually adopted, as well as goals and challenges to overcome.
Blanco analyzed internal and external factors that have influenced the Cuban economy, and among the first cited are the international crisis, price changes in the export and import of products, and restrictions on access to external financing due to the blockade imposed by the United States.
He also spoke of the problems Cuba is dealing with: low efficiency and unsatisfactory results from the agricultural sector, the investment process and growth of productivity, together with the undercapitalization of a part of the productive base and infrastructure, and and aging population along with stagnant population growth.
The Cuba ambassador recalled the popular extensive analysis of the documents adopted at the Congress of the Communist Party, and how their agreements have been implemented step by step, without haste, but without pause, as President Raul Castro has said.
Accompanied by economic counselor Maria de los Angeles Peñate, the ambassador responded to a number of questions from participants on changes in the agricultural sector, investment in the private sector, and opportunities for participation from foreign capital, among others.