Havanareporter YEAR VI
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THE © YEAR VI Nº 2 JAN, 24 2017 HAVANA, CUBA avana eporter ISSN 2224-5707 YOUR SOURCE OF NEWS & MORE H R Price: A Bimonthly Newspaper of the Prensa Latina News Agency 1.00 CUC, 1.00 USD, 1.20 CAN Cubans March in Support of their Revolutionary Process P. 3 GDP Growth of 2% Forecast for 2017 P. 4 Cuba Culture Economy Sports The Colonial Traditional Afro- Transgenic Crop Jewels of Charm of Sancti Cuban Tribute to Research Latin American Spiritus Alicia Alonso in Cuba Sport P. 6 P. 10 P. 14 P. 15 2 TOURISM More Air Routes Open Between the US and Cuba By BenjamínMICERINOS The expected growth in Cuban tourism happy about the six flight frequency industry numbers during 2017 will to Cuba and as issues between the two be complimented by increased air nations were resolved, both would be connections that are being launched willing to further increase the number to great fanfare by international airline of flights to the archipelago. companies and their counterparts on The airline now operates flights the Island. from Fort Lauderdale and Tampa, three One such example is that of of which are to Havana and two to the Southwest Airlines, the largest tourist resort of Varadero. It will soon domestic operator in the US, which also fly to the central Cuban province launched a scheduled Boeing 737 of Villa Clara. flight carrying 156 passengers on Southwest Airlines is the largest December 12th last. provider of domestic flight services The airline’s CEO and Council in the US, having commenced a three President, Gary Kelly, and a team airplane operation to three cities on of company directors and officials the 18th June 1971. It now has a fleet of joined passengers on the flight from more than 100 aircraft serving 100 cities. Tampa that brought the number of The French airline Air Caraibes has connections between Cuba and the US also launched a new route that will in operation to 100. facilitate a further increase in passenger The flight was greeted on landing numbers from the European country, at Terminal 2 of Havana’s Jose Marti Vladimir Molina which surpassed 165,000 in 2016. International Airport with a traditional A company spokesperson informed “baptism” by water jet. PHOTO: The Havana Reporter that the airline It was welcomed at the arrival by both sides in February 2016. Havana for more than half a century. now has a weekly service to Havana, ceremony by the airport’s general He pointed out how this had come Kelly expressed his side‘s soon to be complimented by one manager Héctor Sardinas, who about despite the still in effect and satisfaction and pride with airline staff of similar frequency to Santiago de highlighted the potential arising from punitive economic and commercial that had made the connection a reality. Cuba and a third in conjunction with the accord on air connections signed measures imposed by Washington on He said that he was particularly Cubana Airlines. Nature Photography Contest By FranciscoMENÉNDEZ The 4th edition of the 2017 Quick Shot Photography nature in general. ecologists who protect the area, some one hundred Contest to promote nature and adventure tourism Participants will stay at the Playa Giron Hotel, kilometers east of Havana. will take place next February. close to the historic site where Cuba thwarted the International photographers will not only share Scheduled for February 20 to 25 at the Matanzas 1961 U.S. military invasion in the area then known as the experience with their Cuban colleagues, they will province Zapata Wetlands, the event forms part Bay of Pigs, the organizers announced. return to their countries with a portfolio of important of the leisure programs for people who appreciate Contestants will also be present for the launching information about Cuba´s natural environments and Cuba´s well preserved flora and fauna. of the new Zapata Wetland National Park tourism resources. Sponsored by the Ecotur (the principal ecotourism product. Experts regard the area -- covered by a With its sights set on attracting more than promoter in Cuba), Cubanacán and Tropik Vedeta comprehensive environmental protection plan -- the four million tourists in 2017, Cuba -- without tourist agencies, the contest´ objective is to capture most important wetland in the Caribbean. moving sun and beach options from their primary the beauty of birds that live in the Wetlands. In addition to a day spent taking photos in the position -- plans to diversify into health, quality of Cuba also organizes a similar event in the central middle of the wildlife park, the participants will have life, convention, nature, nautical, adventure and Sierra del Escambray mountain range, dedicated to the opportunity to talk to local farmers and the cultural tourism. CUBA 3 Cubans March in Support of their Revolutionary Process A great multitude of Cubans demonstrated, in an impressive Military Parade and popular march, the strength and stability of their Revolution that celebrated its 58th anniversary on Jan 1, 2017. The massive civic-military demonstration, staged at Cuba’s symbolic Plaza de la Revolución, was reviewed by President Raul Castro, accompanied by members of his Government and representatives of the nation’s statutory organizations and civil society. The parade also commemorated the 60th anniversary of the uprising in the eastern Cuban city of Santiago de Cuba on November 30th 1956 and the landing of the Granma motor yacht expedition on December 2nd of that same year, the date designated Revolutionary Armed Forces Day. In addition to the above, the civic-military show of strength rendered heart-felt tribute to the supreme leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, who died last November and honored the Island’s youth. FotosPL PHOTOs: PHOTOs: A Weekly Newspaper of the Prensa Latina News Agency SOCIETY.HEALTH & SCIENCE.POLITICS.CULTURE THE YOUR SOURCE OF NEWS & MORE ENTERTAINMENT.PHOTO FEATURE.ECONOMY HavanaReporter SPORTS.AND MORE President: Luis Enrique González. Graphic Designers: Laura Reyes. Publisher: Agencia Informativa Latinoamericana, Information Vice President: Hector Miranda. Chief Graphic Editor: Alfredo G. Pierrat Prensa Latina, S.A. Editorial Vice President: Maitté Marrero Canda. Advertising: Irina Hernández Calle E, esq. 19 No. 454, Vedado, La Habana-4, Cuba. Chief Editor: Ilsa Rodríguez. Circulation: Commercial Department. Telephone: (53)7838-3496 / 7832-3578 Fax: (53)7833-3068 Translation: Dayamí Interián/ Sean J. Clancy/Yanely Interián Printing: Imprenta Federico Engels. E-mail: [email protected] 4 CUBA GDP Growth of 2% Forecast for 2017 By María Julia Mayoral During the recent session of the National of arrangements were made and In relation to the 2017 budget , the industry (30%), hotels and restaurants Parliament, the Cuban government forecast implemented to alleviate the situation,” president cautioned that “financial (8%) and transportation, storage and an economic growth rate of 2% in 2017, the president explained. tensions will continue, as will challenges communications. following a contraction of 0.9% in 2016, The Head of State and Government that may, in certain circumstances, be Cabrisas explained that other sectors arising from severe financial restrictions. thanked the nation‘s commercial partners even tougher. that are also expected to expand are In spite of the of this Gross Domestic for their understanding and confidence, and However, we anticipate that the electricity, gas and water, construction, Product (GDP) decrease, the country reiterated Cuba’s commitment to “gradually economy will bounce back somewhat agriculture, cattle raising and forestry maintained universal free social services, re-establish order in this regard and to lay and that GDP should moderately increase trade, the repair of personal properties and such as education and public health for the necessary foundations to ensure that by about 2%.” the fishing and manufacturing industries. the population and will maintain similar this does not reoccur going forward.“ The president highlighted that in Lina Pedraza, the Minister of Finance levels in 2017. According to Assembly Members, order to meet this target, three primary and Prices, stated that one of the 2017 During the National Assembly session, GDP suffered from the effects of a objectives must be met: guarantee State budget’s distinctive elements President Raúl Castro stated that “our decrease in export receipts due to lower exports and timely payments, increase relates to increased expenditure to economy did not collapse, nor did we than anticipated prices and unforeseen national production to substitute imports substitute imports, to generate significant have to endure power cuts like those spending arising from the devastation and reduce unnecessary expenses, and foreign currency savings and incentivize during the toughest years of the special caused by hurricane Matthew in the use available resources in a rational and national production. period, as some malicious international easternmost part of the national territory. efficient way. She said that this way, incomes media had predicted.” When evaluating the economy’s He also stressed the need to revitalize and employment should “gradually be Within the context of this most performance, the negative effects of foreign investment in Cuba, and criticized guaranteed to our workforce, including that challenging scenario, the government the economic, commercial and financial frequent and excessive delays in the within the agricultural and industrial sectors.” strictly complied with obligations relating blockade imposed by the United States negotiation process, “It is now essential The 2017 Budget, approved by the to the restructuring the of the nation’s cannot be ignored. to once and for all abandon obsolete and Assembly, guarantees basic health foreign debt. “An example of this is the fact prejudicial attitudes to foreign investment.” care, social assistance, education and „It has however been impossible that Cuba is prohibited from making According to Council of Ministers Vice other services, accounting for 51% of all to overcome the temporary situation international transactions in US dollars, President and Minister of the Economy exchequer expenditure.