He recalled that, immediately following the storm, a meeting of the National Defense Council’s economic-social team took place, headed by President of the Republic Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, during which the area of greatest concern, the state of the country’s reservoirs were evaluated and, based on the experience of Cubans in facing flooding associated with such these weather events, measures to minimize the damage were adopted.

After the storm passed by, he pointed out, the country’s highest leadership visited the most affected provinces, confirming the extent of damage and the people’s participation in recovery efforts.

He noted that some 89,000 people were evacuated, around 73,000 in the homes of relatives and friends, once again demonstrating the solidarity of Cubans, and another 16,000 in evacuation centers.

During his report, he acknowledged the tense situation of the economy, hence the importance of working efficiently to recover in the shortest time possible.

Recovery, he stressed, does not happen overnight; but the country has the basic resources essential to the task of restoring key sectors, including agriculture and water distribution-flood control infrastructure, despite the limitations.

(Taken from Granma)

The facility, which affiliated with to the Mármoles Oriente basic enterprise unit, is currently in the final stages of a thorough process of technological upgrading and has activated its two manufacturing lines and offers conditions to accept blocks of various types of this stone extracted in different parts of the country.
Director of this facility José Miguel Rodríguez told Granma International that they had so far processed some 4,000 square meters of Red Campiña marble, from Cienfuegos, and Siboney Gray, from the Isle of Youth. They are also waiting for the advance of mining development in the new local quarry of Roca Valle rock, to add it as an exportable item.

Three years after the lasts shipments abroad were made, the factory currently accumulates ready-made productions in order to respond immediately to the possible demand once the the Siboney exporting company, of the Ministry of Construction, has defined the possible destination markets.
Rodríguez pointed out that Crema Valle has historically been the most demanded among Cuban marbles, and that the current assortments -especially the 40-by-40-centimeter veneer slab- are destined for national investments in tourism, public health and other sectors. Hence, its incorporation into the line of exportable slabs will depend on the increase of extraction works in quarry.

Once the traditional mine was depressed, he explained, the recent opening of a new deposit will create the conditions to reach, by the end of the year, a potential monthly production of one thousand cubic meters of rock. The new deposit is currently at 30% of its potential, and the industrial combine only requires 850 square meters, which equals some160 blocks of 15 and 20 tons each.

The reinsertion of the Granma industrial combine in the export market, together with the search for alternatives to take advantage of the rocky residuals in the manufacture of construction materials are in accordance with agreements of the last governmental visit to the province that could be fulfilled in the short term; especially after the completion of investments planned both in the industry and the quarry.

(Granma)

The government visits to different regions of the country, led by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, have been invigorating work days and included lively conversations with workers and residents.

This was reaffirmed during the summary meeting concluding the President’s second government visit to Holguín, when he expressed satisfaction with his tour of the sugar cane harvester factory “60 Aniversario de la Revolución de Octubre,” popularly known as the KTP, where productive chains have been developed that contribute to the Azcuba state enterprise group and other companies affiliated with the Ministries of Agriculture and Construction.

Regarding the development of the new cane harvester CCA 5500, he noted the need to produce this machinery for the country and the export market, while proposing evaluation of possible foreign investment options, to give the project a wider scope and greater sustainability.He likewise called for extension of the experience gained here to the design and production of harvesters for rice and other crops, also mentioning the possibility of manufacturing a machine to clean beaches and remove sea weed.Díaz-Canel also recognized the potential of the “26 de Julio” Agricultural Implements Factory, which provides another example of developing productive chains and the potential to supply both the domestic and foreign markets.He highlighted the work done at this factory to develop a wide range of equipment for rice production, and said that instructions have been given to design and manufacture – independently or in conjunction with others – machines required by the rice processing industry, including mills and dryers, to avoid importing these, as is currently the case.

(Granma)