Economic Reforms in Cuba Require Decentralisation

Economic Reforms in Cuba Require Decentralisation

By Patricia Grogg



HAVANA, Dec 11 2012 (IPS) - The social and economic model that is taking

shape in Cuba based on changes gradually being implemented require

reforms for strengthening and giving greater autonomy to local

government bodies, which began to be renewed in October with the

election of new municipal assembly members.



Now that state, cooperative and private forms of property have begun to

coexist in the Cuban economy, "decentralised decision-making is going to

be essential to the success of these transformations," Ricardo Torres, a

researcher with the University of Havana's Centre for the Study of the

Cuban Economy, told IPS.



That principle is considered basic to the goal of local development, a

process in which municipalities are becoming central players instead of

recipients. The government wants projects such as small-scale industries

and service centres, especially in the food sector, to be part of the

strategy of municipal self-reliance in terms of supplies.



To ensure financial autonomy, the tax system that will go into effect in

January will include taxes on businesses, trading companies and

cooperatives, with the goal of financing projects in the areas where

they are located. That income will increase municipal budgets for local

productive and service activities.



Torres said that a mixed economy (in terms of ownership) and

decentralisation are becoming characteristics of the model that could

emerge from the reforms that were approved in April 2011, during the

Sixth Congress of the ruling Communist Party of Cuba.



On that occasion, President Raúl Castro announced that the "excessively

centralised economic model" had to open up. "Practical experience has

shown us that excessive centralisation conspires against the development

of society and the entire production chain," Castro said.



"All of our lives, we have seen a Cuban model based on a central power,

from which all decisions come. Now we have seen that that is not

viable," said Professor Marta Zaldívar of the University of Havana's

Faculty of Economics.



For Zaldívar, who has been working on the issue for several years, local

development will continue to be a pending issue if there is no legal

framework for management at the provincial level. "Some steps have been

taken, but they are still incipient. The process is slow and time is

running out," she said.



In an interview with IPS, Torres said that "in a situation where there

is greater heterogeneity among economic actors, it is essential for them

to be able to make autonomous decisions about a multitude of variables

and questions related to the life of these organisations."



At the same time, he said, this is a new path, which requires a break

with schemes and patterns of behaviour. "In fact, there will be cases

where it will be necessary to de-concentrate ownership in enterprises

that are too large for the size of the domestic market. It is an area in

which state companies will have to be more autonomous," he said.



In line with these changes in business management, the national

government will have a number of powers, but it will have to share

authority and functions with provincial and municipal authorities. "That

is another long and difficult learning process that Cuba is setting out

on now," Torres commented.



Local and provincial governments "will have to play a leading role in

setting the development agenda for their regions, which requires a

number of things, including greater autonomy for them to make relevant

decisions in certain areas, such as setting local policies that do not

interfere with the national strategies," he said.



In his view, the conditions are not yet fully in place in every province

and municipality, which means the process will have to include the

strengthening of local government capacities, so that the local and

regional authorities are able to become more active agents in economic

and social development at the municipal and provincial levels.



The municipal delegates who won the recent local elections — a process

that lasted until November in some places due to Hurricane Sandy's

impact on the eastern provinces — are the government officials closest

to the grassroots of society.



One frequent complaint voiced by Cubans is that a delegate may be very

good, but does not have the resources to solve voters' problems.

However, delegates are not actually in charge of directly solving

problems; their job is to represent and express the needs, concerns and

difficulties of their constituents, and to inform them of measures

passed by the municipal assembly.



Municipal elections are held every two and a half years. On this

occasion, they will be followed by elections in February for

representatives to provincial assemblies and the National Assembly – the

single-chamber parliament. The official Communist Party media outlets

have acknowledged that these government bodies need to boost their

authority and participation in the process of changes.



By taking on a more central role in developing their regions, local

officials will reinforce democratic participation and bring government

closer to citizens on the local level, Torres said. He added that

citizens, in turn, will be more interested in giving their votes to

individuals shown to be the most competent in given situations.



In that sense, Torres did not rule out the future professionalisation of

municipal and provincial delegates, and of the members of the National

Assembly.



"As of now, in most cases, representatives at all levels fulfil their

duties simultaneously with those of their previous occupation; however,

if we really want these people to turn toward the development of their

communities, the issue of professionalisation should be analysed and

debated," he commented.



* With reporting by Ivet González.



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