Cuba

Overview

While Cuba has a relatively high level of development compared to other Caribbean countries, ranking 51 out of 187 countries on the United Nations Development Programme's 2011 human development index, it continues to face many development challenges.

Food security is a priority for the Government of Cuba. Low agricultural productivity makes the country highly dependent, importing about 80 percent of its domestic food requirements in 2009. Despite its relatively closed economy, Cuba was affected by the global economic downturn, which saw the country's exports drop considerably.

Cuba's vulnerability to natural disasters was seen in 2008 when it experienced a series of devastating hurricanes and storms, causing severe losses for the economy and infrastructure (US$10 billion, or 20 percent of the gross domestic product).

The Government of Cuba has acknowledged that its centralized political structure poses a barrier to economic productivity. Although Cuba has internationally recognized education and health systems, most Cuban institutions suffer from inefficiencies. To engage in the global economy, Cuba needs assistance in developing modern business practices and increasing accountability and transparency of public institutions.

There are signs of change: allowing the sale of cell phones, plans to allow individuals to receive titles to their homes, and leasing of state-owned land to farmers. The Government of Cuba has also recently signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights―multilateral treaties adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1966.

Cuba has met the Millennium Development Goal targets for achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and empowering women; and reducing child mortality. The country is on track to meet the targets for eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; improving maternal health and halting the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

Cuba's five easternmost provinces, however, which are less developed, less accessible and more vulnerable to natural disasters, are much poorer than the rest of the country.

Thematic Focus

Canada is continuing its ongoing policy dialogue with various levels of government in Cuba; CIDA supports the interest that Cuban officials have expressed in maintaining social gains during a period of economic liberalization. Throughout these discussions, Canada offers its advice on increasing the accountability of public institutions and promoting political and economic openness.

Although the Government of Cuba has not created a formal development plan, CIDA's programming in Cuba is aligned with several of the priorities raised in Cuba's National Assembly. These include increasing agricultural productivity, improving government efficiency, and strengthening financial planning, management and controls.

CIDA's program in Cuba focuses on helping the country increase sustainable economic growth and food security. This includes improving the transparency and accountability of governance systems and improving access to basic needs such as water and sanitation in the poorer eastern provinces.

Economic growth

CIDA is helping Cuba strengthen entrepreneurship and connect to regional and international markets. CIDA works with key ministries involved in economic reform and will target agro-business and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Food security

CIDA is increasing agricultural diversification, productivity and competitiveness, emphasizing the poorer provinces. CIDA also provides advice to the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture on modern economic models for increasing productivity.

Progress on Aid Effectiveness

Although Cuba has not endorsed the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness (PDF, 317 KB, 23 pages), the country has applied some of its principles in terms of ensuring mutual accountability of donor and recipient organizations and taking ownership of the results of development activities. As one of the top four donors in Cuba, Canada will promote greater donor coordination and harmonization.

Accomplishments 2009-2010

Food security

• Improved agricultural productivity in six municipalities in the province of Guantánamo by providing training in planning, environmental sustainability, reforestation, equality between women and men, local development and climate change
• Increased forest cover in Cuba by 1 percent with 106,000 hectares of new seedlings planted

Economic growth

• Helped modernize the Cuban economy and increase productivity between 2004 and 2010 by supporting the training of more than 14,000 workers in skilled trades
• Trained more than 1,350 auditors and senior managers from 35 departments in modern auditing techniques and information technologies, leading to greater government transparency

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