The members of the Council of Ministers met on February 26, to address various topics regarding the updating of Cuba’s economic and social model. On this occasion two policies were approved, one relating to the designation of financial resources to writers and artists to promote cultural projects; and the other the simplification and integration of services and processes rendered to natural and legal persons.
also approved the policy to simplify and integrate services and procedures currently rendered to natural and legal persons. Photo: Estudio Revolución
The green light was once again given to the perfecting of the Railway System and the process of reorganizing scientific, technological and innovation entities.
Also presented were ongoing research plans relating to ninth grade graduates continuing their studies and their enrollment in Higher Education institutions, both in full and part-time courses. Similarly, the agenda included an analysis of export services.
REMOVING BARRIERS TO CULTURE
The meeting opened with the presentation, by the Minister of Economy, Marino Murillo Jorge, of the policy on designating financial resources to writers and artists to develop cultural projects, which aims to “perfect the mechanisms and sources which guarantee financing for writers and artists´ cultural projects, through cultural institutions and organizations, without intermediaries.”
According to Murillo, given what has been approved, the Asociación Hermanos Saíz (AHS), the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), the institute and councils of the Ministry of Culture (Mincult), as well as the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT), will be able to directly award financing.
This measure establishes that, “the decisions regarding the designation of funds will be taken by the UNEAC and AHS management bodies, and Mincult directorate councils and ICRT institutes and councils, which will guarantee control of the entire process.”
In order to decide which projects will receive financing, the quality of the work, its level of interest to the cultural institutes and organizations, in addition to the creators´ career, will be considered.
It was clarified that the granting of financial resources shall be exempt from taxes, as approved projects do not generate personal income. However, if the resulting work is used for commercial purposes, the writer or artist and the institution that commercialized the work will be required to pay the relevant taxes.
Current sources of funding are maintained, while the contributions of Cuban and foreign entities based in Cuba are now also incorporated, as well as those from Cuban and foreign individuals, nonprofit associative entities recognized by law, and forms of non-state management; always through Mincult, ICRT, UNEAC and AHS institutes and councils.
Murillo Jorge commented that with the “removal of limitations for awarding funds, it may be possible to finance more projects and thus facilitate the state’s contribution to creators.”
LESS PROCEDURES, MORE INTERGRATION
The members of the Council of Ministers also approved a policy to simplify and integrate current services and procedures rendered to natural and legal persons, which was presented by Leonardo Andollo Valdés, deputy head of the Permanent Commission for Implementation and Development.
Given the good results seen in the experiment underway in Güines, this experience will be extended to other municipalities in the provinces of Mayabeque and Artemisa, to continue simplifying and reducing procedures, as well as related management functions, which also include the decentralization of powers to approve such procedures.
Through the corresponding legal norms, the exchange of information between institutions in order to realize necessary services and procedures, will be implemented, supported through the use of information and communication technologies and public registers as a primary source of information.
Services and Procedures Units will be established as “basic organizational entities, subordinate to the municipal administration councils.”
Prioritized in this process will be, “the development and implementation of a coherent technological infrastructure, ensuring the computerization of procedures and their dissemination, as a way of implementing the Ventanilla Unica [single office allowing for the complete processing of documents] and developing Electronic Government, in accordance with the program for the computerization of Cuban society.”
In addition, it “should guarantee the material assurance for this activity and implement a coherent system of human capital management, including personnel selection and training, performance assessment and forms of payment.”
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Also approved during the meeting was the process of reorganization of scientific, technological and innovation entities, a policy which was established by the Council of Ministers in May, 2013.
Andollo Valdés reiterated that this process is geared toward increasing the economic, social and environmental impact of the achievements of scientific, technological and innovation entities, in accordance with the country’s strategic development plan.
“Given the complexity of the matter, it has been decided to carry out the reorganization in two stages. The first is based on the context of the perfectioning of the Organs of Central State Administration (OACE), national entities and the Higher Organizations of Business Management (OSDE).
Meanwhile the second stage will consist of an analysis pertaining to the impact of such entities on sectors of the economy and the fields of science and technology, in accordance with the long-term objectives of the Economic and Social Development Program.”
On this point, he noted that the transformations being realized to the business system, in addition to other related actions being carried out as part of the updating of Cuba’s economic and social model, will contribute to the improved functioning of the aforementioned entities, as well as a reduction in their dependency on the state budget for financing.
The Cuban President emphasized that it is necessary to continue preparing those who administer these activities in the country, as in addition to research, there must also be efficient production and commercialization.
FOCUS ON THE RAILWAY SYSTEM
The issue of Cuban railways also occupied space in the agenda, in which the perfectioning of the Railway System was approved, “through its conception as a military style system, characterized by strict discipline; with a well-defined chain of command, in accordance with levels of management and hierarchy; use of emblems and uniforms; singular disciplinary regulations; with key positions occupied by teams experienced in leadership and management,” according to Andollo Valdés. He also added that effective coordination between operations, an increase in safety indicators in the movement of trains and maximum risk reduction of errors, both in regards to timetables and the quality of services and support, must be ensured.
It was also reported that the Railway System will include the Union of Cuban Railways, Railway Transport Administration (newly created) and the Railway Police.
Among the essential elements of this process of perfectioning are the improvement of human resource selection and training; adjustment of the payment system according to the responsibility, complexity and level of every position; organization of the functioning of the Railway Police; and aiding this process with the necessary financial support.
In response to a question asked by Raúl about the participation of the Youth Labor Army in the repair and maintenance of the train lines, the Deputy Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Army General Joaquín Quintas Solá, explained that seven battalions, of 28 companies, formed of 2,200 troops, stationed in 43 camps, from Pinar del Río to Guantánamo, are working directly on railway related activities.
These soldiers repair or maintain 1,500 kilometers of track, annually. For his part, the Minister of Transport, César Arocha Macid, praised the fulfillment of the plans and the quality of work realized by the youth.
Lastly, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz noted that we must continue to implement what we have approved for the Railway System and highlighted the need to demand greater effectiveness and commitment in the face of inefficiencies which persist in this sector.
CONTINUED STUDIES AND HIGHER EDUCATION
The Minister of Work and Social Security, Margarita González Fernández, presented the plan for ninth grade graduates continuing their studies in vocational-technical as well as pre-university education, for the 2015-2016 academic year.
She noted that, “all ninth grade graduates are guaranteed the option of continuing their studies, both in pre-university and vocational-technical education,” in accordance with demands.
In addition, she reported that the Higher Education enrolment plan for the 2015-2016 academic year includes more than 41,184 places.
On this point and in regards to the evident affect of the Cuban demographic situation on said plans, marked by an aging population and low birth rate, a call was made to comprehensively study this complicated issue and find adequate solutions in accordance with the particularities of the country and each one of its provinces.
PREMISES FOR EXPORTING SERVICES
Another of the issues discussed by the highest body of the Cuban government was related to the export of services, which include commitments made with other governments.
Antonio Carricarte Corona, deputy minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, stated that over the last few years there has been growing interest from foreign governments in establishing contracts with Cuban services entities.
“Therefore, it is necessary to establish premises which ensure the fulfillment of contracts, adequate control and protection of Cuban interests, without introducing barriers which hinder their development, or obstruct Cuban business objectives.”
He noted that, “the increase and diversification of exports are priority objectives for our foreign trade. Achieving this requires the continued safeguarding and acknowledgement of the prestige attained by our Cuban personnel who have offered services aboard.”
“In cases where foreign governments directly participate, the results of the island’s involvement not only have economic effects but also have a political impact and influence bilateral relations.”
The establishment of certain principles, he expressed, will contribute to the appropriate institutionalism and should mean better preparation of the entities concerne.
