Diaz-Canel: "We must strengthen the national industry"

BAYAMO, Cuba, Jun 29 (ACN) Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel stressed today in this city the need to promote as much as possible the national industry, to develop the country.

During the summary meeting of his visit to eastern Granma province, concluded Thursday, he said it is essential to continue to raise the efficiency, quality and level of confidence in the country's industry, as essential aspects to reduce imports, increase exports and increase overall results.

In this province, for example, the accumulator factory, located in Manzanillo city, can cover a third of the country's needs for car batteries, but for that to happen it is necessary to have more financing and that the entities feel satisfaction when buying here and not abroad, said Diaz-Canel

He warned that sometimes there is also accommodation and some import finished or semi-finished products, although they can buy raw materials abroad and produce here, with a reduction in costs, which must become a permanent purpose.

He assured that foreign investment is an opportunity to avoid indebtedness and develop the country, but without renouncing economic sovereignty

He stressed the importance of increasing the results in the next sugar harvest, as they not only provide sugar, but also alcohol, honey, fuel and energy.

The Cuban President emphasized eliminating the chains of non-payment, sometimes existing between different companies, when one accumulates debts, which prevent it from fulfilling its financial commitments, such as paying a supplier, who sometimes refuses to provide resources until the late payment is received.

He said that Granma must increase its sources of income and eliminate the payment of workers without productive support, which sometimes happens through the establishment of small plans, according to the real potential of some entities.

He stressed that here there is potential for building a house every day, thanks in part to the existence of 14 mini-industries of building materials: two in Bayamo and one in the other municipalities, for which the supply of cement must be guaranteed.

The construction of housing is one of the priorities in the territory, where 44 percent of the houses are evaluated as being in fair or poor condition, for which there is a long-term program.

He stressed that the effects of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States are very real and constitute the greatest obstacle to the nation's development.

Diaz-Canel, who visited several municipalities of the territory since the previous day, said it is necessary to increase construction work in Manzanillo, where several properties, including houses, have a high patrimonial value.

Other indications were to improve the aqueduct of this coastal city, to finish the different works related to the water supply in Bayamo, and to value the possibilities of resuming the construction of what must be a great pediatric hospital in the provincial capital, work stopped several years ago due to the scarcity of resources.

The President expressed that there is a very favorable political-ideological atmosphere in Granma, with a high level of commitment and love for the Revolution.