Minister of Economy and Planning, Alejandro Gil
HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) — Cuba’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow 1.2 percent in 2018 in an environment marked by policies implemented to reduce the country’s external debt and the tightening of the US embargo, Alejandro Gil, minister of economy and planning, said on Friday.
Gil reported to the national assembly that, with respect to 2017, several sectors are growing, including transport and communications 5.7 percent; manufacturing industry 3.7 percent; commerce two percent; public health 1.3 percent; and culture and sports 2.3 percent.
The minister explained that for this year a GDP growth of two percent was expected, and the non-compliance is mainly due to sectors such as the sugar industry — as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Irma, agriculture, construction, mines and quarries.
