Population: 11,346,000 Land area: 110,860 square Km Capital: Havana Language(s): Spanish Local Currency: Cuban peso convertible peso (CU Exchange: US$1.00 = .87 convertible pesos UNDP Human Development Rank: 51 of 177 Life Expectancy: 77.7 yrs Adult Literacy rate: 99.8 yrs Official Government website: http://www.cubagov.cu/

• President of the Council of State - Raul CASTRO Ruz, Gen.
• First Vice Pres. of the Council of State -
• Vice Pres. of the Council of State - Juan ALMEIDA Bosque
• Vice Pres. of the Council of State - Abelardo COLOME Ibarra, Corps Gen.
• Vice Pres. of the Council of State - Carlos LAGE Davila
• Vice Pres. of the Council of State - Esteban LAZO Hernandez
• Vice Pres. of the Council of State - Jose Ramon MACHADO Ventura
• Min. Sec. of the Council of State - Jose M. MIYAR Barruecos
• Pres. of the Council of Ministers - Raul CASTRO Ruz, Gen.
• First Vice Pres. of the Council of Ministers .
• Vice Pres. of the Council of Ministers - Osmani CIENFUEGOS Gorriaran
• Vice Pres. of the Council of Ministers - Jose Ramon FERNANDEZ Alvarez
• Vice Pres. of the Council of Ministers - Pedro MIRET Prieto
• Vice Pres. of the Council of Ministers - Otto RIVERO Torres
• Vice Pres. of the Council of Ministers - Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ Garcia
• Sec. of the Council of Ministers - Carlos LAGE Davila
• Min. of Agriculture - María del Carmen Pérez Hernández
• Min. of Auditing & Control - Maria PORTELA
• Min. of Basic Industry - Yadira GARCIA Vera
• Min. of Computer Science & Communication - Ramiro MENENDEZ
• Min. of Construction - Fidel FIGUEROA de la Paz
• Min. of Culture - Abel PRIETO Jimenez
• Min. of Domestic Trade - Marino A. MURILLO Jorge
• Min. of Economy & Planning - Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ Garcia
• Min. of Education - Luis I. GOMEZ Gutierrez
• Min. of Finance & Prices - Georgina BARREIRO Fajardo
• Min. of the Fishing Industry - Alfredo LOPEZ Valdes
• Min. of the Food Industry - Alejandro ROCA Iglesias
• Min. of Foreign Investment & Economic Cooperation - Marta LOMAS Morales
• Min. of Foreign Relations - Felipe PEREZ ROQUE
• Min. of Foreign Trade - Raul DE LA NUEZ Ramirez
• Min. of Higher Education - Fernando VECINO Alegret
• Min. of Interior - Abelardo COLOME Ibarra, Corps Gen.
• Min. of Iron, Steel and Engineering Industry - Fernando ACOSTA Santana
• Min. of Justice - Roberto DIAZ Sotolongo
• Min. of Labor & Social Security - Alfredo MORALES Cartaya
• Min. of Light Industry - Estela M. DOMINGUES Ariosa
• Min. of Public Health - Jose Ramon BALAGUER Cabrera
• Min. of the Revolutionary Armed Forces - Raul CASTRO Ruz, Gen.
• Min. of Science, Technology, & Environment Mario BERMUDEZ
• Min. of the Sugar Industry - Ulises ROSALES del Toro, Div. Gen.
• Min. of Tourism - Manuel MARRERO Cruz
• Min. of Transportation - Carlos Manuel PAZO Torrado
• Min. Without Portfolio Ricardo CABRISAS Ruiz
• Pres. Central Bank of Cuba - Francisco SOBERON Valdes
• Attorney General - Juan ESCALONA Reguera
• Permanent Representative to the UN, New York - Orlando REQUEIJO Gual

Public Holidays: Fixed official holidays are: Liberation Day (January 1); Victory of the Armed Forces (January 2); International Workers’ Day (May 1); Eve of Revolution Day (July 25); Anniversary of the Moncada Barracks Attack Day, Revolution Day (July 26); Revolution Day, 2nd Day (July 27); Commencement of Wars of Independence Day (October 10); Independence Day (December 10); and Christmas Day (December 25).

Business

U.S. – CUBA Travel Summit March 24-26 2010

This summit is a timely opportunity for executives of the U.S. travel sector to meet and learn the potential in Cuba directly and personally from Cuban travel officials and specialists. Executives from all participating companies will have the chance for meetings with their Cuban counterparts to discuss their own business objectives. This will be a unique occasion for all players from the U.S. and Cuba to be together in one place to exchange information about the potential in Cuba and the services that U.S. firms can provide.
Source: ALAMAR Associates

Economic Trends for 2007

According to the Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2007-2008, in 2007 the Cuban economy posted GDP growth of 7.3%, with a similar growth rate in per
capita GDP, since population growth was almost nil. The overall fiscal deficit increased slightly, from the equivalent of 3.0% of GDP in 2006 to 3.1% in 2007. The rate of inflation rose by 2.8%, which was half the previous year’s rate (5.7%). The balance-of-payments current account showed a surplus equivalent to 0.8% of GDP.

Economic Policy for 2007

The main objective of economic policy in 2007 was to continue with efforts to reduce the imbalances built up during what is known as the “special period”. Specifically, the authorities maintained the medium-term objective of de-dollarizing the Cuban economy and creating the economic conditions for monetary unification

Investment

Raúl reviews progress of hydraulic investment plan in Santiago de Cuba
President Raúl Castro Ruz reviewed the progress of the investment process designed for the capital restitution of water conduits and networks to provide better water services for the population.
Granma Newspaper

Performance for 2006

Tourism and nickel production became Cuba’s mainstay for the successful growth year of 2006. Real GDP was measured at 12.6%, compared to last year’s 11.7%, and adding to the list of production in Cuba’s GDP, was the value of Social Services (which includes the introduction of modern technology in the health care centers and hospitals). The number of registered tourists grew to over 2 million in the year; plus, with active participation from Venezuela, Cuba yielded over 75,000 tons in the nickel sector. (Source: Cuban Economy 2006)

Current Account and Fiscal Operations

Cuba is a state-controlled economy with a small open market sector. The once long- time nucleus of Cuba’s foreign exchange (sugar and it by-products) is on the decline, and products such as nickel, tobacco, and pharmaceutical products are becoming gradually significant in the exporting culture. Sugar still remains a vital influence to the Cuban by-product and agricultural sector, and in attempt to contain the ever rollercoaster output of sugar, the Cuban government is seeking foreign investment in the sugar industry for the first time. According to Cuba's country profile for 2006, the depressed agricultural output of 2006, led to sharp increases in imports on agricultural goods.

Inflation and the Monetary Sector

Inflation in Cuba dropped from 7% in 2005 to 5% in 2006. This positive movement of steady price levels could be associated with the greater alignment between the official and unofficial exchange rates for the Cuban economy. Much of the economic inactivity in the early 90’s caused accelerated money creation and escalated inflationary pressures, which led to a decrease in the purchasing power of the Cuban peso. Subsequent to the lost of purchasing power, was the “dollarization” of the economy. According to an “Overview on Cuba’s Economy in the 2000s”, this is a major impediment in terms of development for the ‘repressed’ economy. From an economic perspective, unifying the exchange rates of peso and dollar economies would be the essential goal, yet unification means devaluing the peso/dollar parity exchange and more importantly realigning Cuba’s structure of wages and salaries.

Cuba Earthquake - September 11 2011

An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 struck of the south western coast of Cuba at 08:43:
06 UTC on 15 September 2011. Located at 19.563°N, 78.008°W at a depth of 5 km
according to the USGS estimate, the event occurred offshore to the northwest of
Jamaica, the closest CCRIF member country. This made the event epicentre 122km
 north of Montego Bay. There were no reports of damage or loss in Jamaica as a
result of this Event.
source: CCRIF

Cuban foreign minister affirms viability of socialism despite blockade

BEIJING, China, September 1. — Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla today affirmed the viability of socialism in his country despite the U.S. policy of aggression, which, he said, remains intact.
Granma Newspaper

Tourism to Cuba Grows 200,000, Up 9.3% in 2008

Some 2.35 million tourists visited Cuba in 2008, spending 2.53 billion convertible pesos ($2.74 billion), the National Statistics Office reported. Source: Latin American Herald Tribune

2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (Western Hemisphere)

All men and women desire and deserve to live in dignity and liberty. As President Bush said: "The advance of freedom is the great story of our time." Promoting human rights and democracy is a worldwide phenomenon and there is a growing global discussion of democracy and the universal values protected by democratic governance.

By defending and advancing human rights and democratic principles, we keep faith with our country’s most cherished values and lay the foundation for lasting peace. Fulfilling the promise of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and building vibrant democracies worldwide will take generations, but it is work of the utmost urgency that cannot be delayed.
Source:US Dept. of State

International Narcotics Control Strategy Report for 2006

Illicit Drugs Shipped Through Caribbean Nations to U.S., Europe
The report cites Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica as major transit points. As a result of their geographic location, many nations of the Caribbean are utilized as transit countries to shift cocaine, marijuana and other illicit drugs from South America to the United States, Europe and elsewhere, according to the U.S. State Department's International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) for 2006.
Source:U.S. Department of State

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT 2006 - CUBA

Restrictions on freedom of expression, association and movement continued to cause great concern. Nearly 70 prisoners of conscience remained in prison. The US embargo continued to have a negative effect on the enjoyment of the full range of human rights in Cuba. The economic situation deteriorated and the government attempted to suppress private entrepreneurship. More than 30 prisoners remained on death row; no one was executed.

Background
There were strikes and riots in January and April as a result of public anger over the economy. The government expressed a desire to change the Constitution in order to accept the jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal in Belize, replacing the Privy Council.

Prisoners of conscience
Prisoners of conscience continued to be arrested and sentenced for their peacefully held views. Some were released for health reasons. René Gómez Manzano and Julio César López Rodríguez were detained, along with several others, in the capital Havana after participating in a peaceful anti-government demonstration on 22 July. René Gómez Manzano, a member of the Assembly to Promote Civil Society, and eight others remained imprisoned awaiting trial. On 13 July around 20 people were detained while participating in a peaceful event in Havana. They were commemorating the “13 de Marzo” tugboat disaster of 1994, in which some 35 people were killed while attempting to flee Cuba when their boat was reportedly rammed by the Cuban authorities. Six remained in detention without charge and one was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment for “peligrosidad predelictiva” defined as “a person’s special proclivity to commit offences as demonstrated by conduct that is manifestly contrary to the norms of socialist morality”. Prisoner of conscience Mario Enrique Mayo Hernández, sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in 2003, was conditionally released on health grounds on 1 December.

Restrictions on freedom of expression, association and movement

Human rights activists, political dissidents and trade unionists were harassed and intimidated. Such attacks were frequently perpetrated by quasi-official groups, the rapid-response brigades, allegedly acting in collusion with members of the security forces.

Freedom of expression and association continued to be under attack. All legal media outlets were under government control and independent media remained banned. Independent journalists faced intimidation, harassment and imprisonment for publishing articles outside Cuba. Human rights defenders also faced intimidation and politically motivated and arbitrary arrests.

The laws used to arrest and imprison journalists, relating to defamation, national security and disturbing public order, did not comply with international standards. According to the international NGO Reporters Without Borders, 24 journalists were imprisoned at the end of 2005.

Oscar Mario González Pérez, an independent journalist, was arrested on 22 July after covering a demonstration. He remained in prison without charge. Dissidents continued to face restrictions when attempting to travel abroad.

Miguel Sigler Amaya, a member of the unofficial Alternative Option Movement (Movimiento Independiente Opción Alternativa), was detained at Havana International Airport when he and his family were about to board a plane to the USA even though they had exit visas as political refugees. He and his family were released several days later and finally left Cuba on 5 October. Miguel Sigler Amaya’s brothers, Guido and Ariel, both prisoners of conscience, continued to serve sentences of 20 and 25 years respectively.

In December, representatives of Ladies in White (Las Damas de Blanco), a group of prisoners’ female relatives who had marched every Sunday since March 2003 demanding the release of their husbands, brothers and sons, were not given official permission to travel to attend the award ceremony in Strasbourg, France, to receive the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
Source:Amnesty International

New School Year Brings Changes to Education Programs in Cuba

source: Cuba News Agency

Solid Waste Management

Health Care

Information Management in Cuba for Disaster Reduction in the Health Sector
Development of Early Warning and Prevention Systems to ensure a comprehensive health care not only for the Cuban population but for the Latin American and Caribbean regions.
Source: Government of Cuba

Databases

Selected Statistical Indicators for CUBA
UN Statistics Division: MDG Indicators
Caribbean Social Statistics Database
Caribbean Trade Statistical Database

News Items

• Cuba eyes tourism investments, including from US
  

May 6, 2010 -  Cuba approved a new property law aimed at attracting foreign investment in tourism projects like marinas and golf courses, including from the United States if Washington reverses its embargo on the island.
Source: Caribbean Net News

• Cuba not afraid to talk with US says Fidel Castro

Tuesday, April 7, 2009
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cuba's revolutionary leader Fidel Castro said the communist nation was not afraid of dialogue with the United States and did not want to extend the five decades of confrontation with its powerful neighbour

• Reflections by Comrade Fidel: A SIGNIFICANT MEETING. Fidel Castro Ruz

After the end of the conference on Globalization and Development attended in Havana by more than 1500 economists, prominent scientific personalities and representatives of international agencies, I received a letter and a document from Atilio Boron, a PhD in Political Sciences, Professor of Political and Social Theory, Director of the Latin American Distance Education Program in Social Sciences, along with other important scientific and political responsibilities.

• International Computer Sciences Convention Inaugurated in Havana

HAVANA , Cuba, Feb 10 (acn) "'Informatica 2009' is a reality," said Cuban Deputy Minister of Computer Sciences and Communications Jorge Luis Perdomo during the inauguration of this international computer sciences convention that began on Monday in Havana, under the slogan of Development and Sovereignty.

• Cuba's Scrap Metal Recycling Meant Over 100 Mill Savings.

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 10 (can) Cuba saved at least US $95 million during 2008, thanks to the recycling of scrap metals done by Cuban factories as a contribution to the iron and steel industry.  

• Cuban biotechnology products in 58 countries of the world. February 10, 2009

OLGUIN, Cuba (ACN): Cuban biotechnology has taken its scientific results to some 58 countries of the world, said the director of the Molecular Immunology Center, Doctor Agustin Lage in a key lecture in this eastern province.

• Cuba urged at UN to release political prisoners  Friday, February 6, 2009

GENEVA, Switzerland : Cuba was challenged on Thursday by Western countries to release its political prisoners and allow full freedom of expression, but allies including Russia and China closed ranks with the Communist country

• Raul Castro addresses opening session of Cuba-CARICOM Summit. Tuesday, December 9, 2008

CARICOM Heads of Government and delegates arrived in Cuba for the Third Cuba-CARICOM Summit, which opened in Santiago de Cuba on Monday.