Cuban Economy and Planning Minister Marino Murillo said on Saturday that the Economic Plan for 2011 seeks to secure foreign exchange-generating investment and increase work productivity.
Murillo also highlighted the need to increase import substitution, mainly of food, during his speech in the last session of the Sixth Period of the Seventh Legislature of the National Assembly of People Power, attended by President Raul Castro, prior to the voting of the plan by the legislators.
Murillo also referred to the need to save energy and increase efficiency in the use of resources.
He said that the Plan for 2011 sets a 3.1 percent growth in the Gross Domestic Product, and modest growth in food production, compared to high consignments of imported food, and a positive trade balance due to high service exports are forecast.
It is necessary to follow closely and ensure compliance with agreed export levels, said the minister, who also referred to the continuation of the realignment of employment and the increase of the self-employed in 2011.
He said that 2010 required great effort from the workers and their leaders and, though advances were made, it is obvious that there are also deficiencies.
Murillo said that results in the agriculture and livestock sector, savings, import substitution and the increase of productivity will be crucial.