• Submitted by: manso
• Business and Economy
• 11 / 19 / 2010

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AFP. Havana, The Government of Cuba avoided susbsidies to materials for the construction and refurbishment of houses, one of  the main and most serious social problems of the country and right since January they will be freely sold but with higher prices.

"Since January of the coming year, the sale of subsided construction materials will banish from the storehouses and they will be freely commercialized" said Pilar Hernández, official of the Ministry of Domestic Commerce, cited by the Juventud Rebelde Daily.

Fernández outlined that a few materials are being sold unsubsidized since February in more than 300 stores but subsided sales were still being kept (lower prices)

Since taking office, president Raul Castro has pronounced himself against undue gratuities and subsidies which are a burden for the state. The project foresees the easing of purchasing, selling and renting of houses, thus improving the housing issue in Cuba.

Source: El  Nuevo Herald and Headlines' translation