HAVANA, Aug 14 — Thousands of small and medium-sized Cuban businesses will be allowed to incorporate in the coming months, in one of the most important economic reforms taken by the island’s Communist government since it nationalised all enterprises in the 1960s.
In the food service sector, thousands of government-subsidised eateries will either close, become cooperatives or turn into small businesses, according to a mid-level manager involved in the process who spoke on condition of anonymity. Those it keeps will become small — and medium-sized state-owned businesses competing with them.
Economy Minister Alejandro Gil said in a televised presentation Wednesday evening the measures would put state and private business on an equal footing to compete, work together and create joint companies, much as in capitalist countries. Companies are limited to no more than 100 employees and individuals can only own a single company, according to a decree law published by the Council of State this month.
“With this opening, in a few years the non-state sector will represent more than 50 per cent of total employment in the economy,” Vidal said, adding that “still much more needs to be done.”