Guantanamo.- The Provincial Council of Guantánamo dedicates considerable time each month to discussing strategies for enhancing economic and social development in local municipalities. This focus is driven by the need to leverage the region’s potential and work towards establishing a surplus economy, despite the ongoing challenges posed by external pressures on the national economy.
Amidst the hardships faced by the country, there are emerging economic and social transformations aimed at unlocking productive capabilities. A key objective gaining prominence in the current Cuban social project is the pursuit of an economic surplus, which occurs when income surpasses expenses within a specific timeframe.
Currently, only the municipality of Guantánamo has achieved this surplus, while others, including Baracoa, despite its resources, continue to rely heavily on state funding.
The ongoing transformations seek to shift this reliance and foster sustainable economic development from the grassroots level, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for residents. Achieving economic growth and a surplus is not only feasible but also crucial for the municipalities in Guantánamo, necessitating a concerted effort to implement effective strategies and harness local resources.
Increasing municipal revenues hinges on enhancing physical production, executing the commercial circulation plan, and integrating both state and non-state sectors in commercial activities to fulfill their social roles. Establishing authentic production chains that generate goods and services is essential for this objective.
Efficiency in provincial and municipal enterprises is vital, particularly as many are transitioning to local management. Currently, 13 entities in Guantánamo are facing financial losses, highlighting the need for improved operational performance. Additionally, compliance with territorial contributions is lacking, with Guantánamo municipalities reporting 37 million pesos of unspent budget by the end of September.
To bolster revenue, municipalities should consider raising taxes on income and contributions from the non-state sector, as many activities remain untaxed or underreported. Furthermore, reducing expenditures in budgeted and social sectors can free up resources for more effective use.
Addressing accounts receivable and payable, along with the collection of fines, is also crucial, as the province starts October with nearly 34 million pesos pending collection. Improving the work systems of managers and decision-makers is necessary to align with these transformations and foster public debate and oversight for economic and social progress.
