Cuba begins public debate on economy changes

[pampango]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11894593

Cuba has launched a public debate on plans to transform its socialist economy by reducing the role of the state and boosting private enterprise.

Ordinary Cubans are being encouraged to discuss the changes so their views can be taken into account at a ruling communist party congress next April. The government says everyone should have a free say on the future of Cuba. But it also insists that the "socialist character" of Cuba's political system will not change.

But many details of the economic changes have already been announced, so it is not clear how much influence the public debate will really have. In September, President Castro announced plans to lay off around up to a million state employees - about a fifth of the workforce - and encourage them to find work in the private sector.

Restrictions on private enterprise are being eased, with small businesses allowed to employ staff, borrow money, and sell services to government departments. They will also have to pay tax. Thousands of Cubans have already been given licences to set up private businesses, and more are registering every week.