• Submitted by: lena campos
• Business and Economy
• 02 / 21 / 2013

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Cuba is planning a change in water subsidized rates to ensure the efficient and rational use of this resource, which is an indispensable element to update the country's economic model.

As part of the National Water Policy, adopted in December 2012, it is expected that people pay according to their spending in order to create awareness of saving, said Aymé Aguirre Hernandez, vice president of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources.

This initiative also plays a major role in the economy, the health of people and the protection of the environment, she said.

So far, the Cuban government has subsidizes water supply, but with this new directive all persons and entities will be required to pay for water and sanitation services, said the engineer.

The current system does not encourage saving, there is any reduction of water consumption and expenditure measurement at both macroeconomic and domestic economy lacks of full efficiency, she said.

With the entry into force of the new regulation, the rates will differ according to the consumer, inefficiencies will be penalized and saving stimulated, Aguirre noted.

The Cuban government will continue to finance investments and works with high social impact.

As part of this policy, the government will prioritize improving the capacity of supply to the population, agriculture, livestock, industry and other areas of economic interest.

The program also provides that finance collected by the water sector will be reinvested in this sector.

Source: Prensa Latina