Saturday, 3 May 2008 11:56
Computers have arrived in Cuba after the country's president, Raul
Castro, authorised their sale to the general public for the first time.
Shoppers headed to technology stores in Havana, where computers finally
hit the stores yesterday after Mr Castro permitted the unrestricted sale
of computers, DVD and video players last month.
Only foreigners and companies could buy computers in Cuba before, while
DVD players were seized at the airport until last year, when customs
rules were eased.
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According to official media, some 3.7m people in Cuba used a computer in
2007 - but only 5% of them did so at home.
Mr Castro, 76, has led Cuba since July 2006 when his older brother Fidel
provisionally handed over power after intestinal surgery from which he
has not fully recovered.
The younger Castro was formally named president on 24 February, becoming
Cuba's first new leader in almost half a century, and promising to ease
some of the restrictions on daily life.
Among shoppers at one Havana mall were Lucia Lima and her daughter
Amanda, who was fulfilling a long-held dream of owning her own PC.
'I came to buy a computer for my daughter. It's been a dream of her's
since she was little. Besides computers are everywhere in the world,'
Amanda's mother said. 'It's today's technology,' Amanda added.
Shopper Nicolas Gonzalez said the sale was another positive sign of the
opening up of consumer markets by Mr Castro, who has also freed up cell
phone use and Cubans access to luxury hotels.
'It's something that moves toward the progress we are hoping for - I
think it's good,' Mr Gonzalez said.
But other Cubans see it as something far out of their reach. Computers
and the other new good on sale are sold in hard currency CUCs, or
convertible pesos, worth 24 times more than the Cuban pesos state wages
are paid in.
'There has been a division of classes here,' said driver Rolando Rojas.
'I don't have a DVD player and I know people who have had them for
years. I consider myself to be middle class, not lower class and there
are people who have the latest thing, home theatres. It's been normal
for them for years.
'They have cars, motorcycles. They have good jobs or positions in the
government and that's what helps them improve their status. I work and
save and save and we'll see if one day I can buy the blessed DVD player
for my child,' he said.
Cuban have long complained of the two-tiered money system that leaves
average citizens without buying power.
Mall administrator Medeline Hernandez confirmed that prices of new
products are for those with convertible pesos.
'The stores are still for the stronger currency, not for those who earn
national money,' she said.
In the past weeks, appliances long desired by Cubans have gone on sale,
although air conditioners will not be available in stifling Havana until
next year and toasters until 2010 due to limited power supplies.
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