HAVANA, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Cuba has eased restrictions on non-state economic actors under a new legal framework governing private enterprises, non-agricultural cooperatives and self-employed workers, the local media reported Wednesday.
Lazara Mercedes Lopez, president of the National Institute of Non-State Economic Actors, said at a press conference on Tuesday that the measures were part of economic and social reforms approved by Cuba's National Assembly of People's Power in June.
Lopez said the new rules cover areas including industry, manufacturing, energy, mining, transport and commerce.
The reforms followed consultations with non-state economic actors amid economic difficulties and the tightening of the U.S. economic, commercial, financial and energy blockade against Cuba, she said.
In the commercial sector, the ministry of interior commerce lifted restrictions on wholesale activities by private enterprises and non-agricultural cooperatives. Self-employed workers remain barred from wholesale trade.
In the transport sector, the transport ministry authorized eligible state and non-state legal entities to directly import electric vehicles for commercial assembly and sale.
In health care, the ministry of public health will keep medical care at all three levels reserved for the state, while allowing private enterprises and non-agricultural cooperatives to manage pharmaceutical services under sanitary requirements.
Lopez said the new measures will broaden economic participation without altering the leading role of the socialist state enterprise. ■
