Business & Economy

At least 4,900 Cubans applied for home improvement grants or loans from the government on Monday, the first day that this program began operation.

The first air link between Washington and Havana will begin on March 21, announced William Hauf, the president of Island Travel & Tours. Currently seven airports in other US states provide this service, while ten others have been allowed to establish air links with the island.

President Raul Castro said yesterday, after bidding farewell to visiting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the Havana airport, that the Cuban government will comply fully with the economic program approved by the Communist Party Congress held this past April.

The Ministry of Construction of Cuba announced today plans for important infrastructure improvements which will include the construction of new factories for the production of building materials.

The recently completed La Pasa bridge now connects Cayo Coco, Cayo Romano and Paredon Grande — which are islets that make up the Jardines del Rey tourism complex on the northern coast of Ciego de Avila Province.

Cuban President Raul Castro said today that his government “will comply with the entire program” of reforms approved at the last Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba. However he lowered expectations around the “First Party Conference,” to be held on January 28 and 29.

This year the Cuban government will provide up to 160 million pesos ($8 million USD) in subsidies aimed at supporting the construction or repair of houses for the needy, reported the Trabajadores newspaper.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrives in Cuba today on an official visit in which he will meet with President Raul Castro. The trip is aimed at promoting bilateral relations.

Wendy Cole, the editor of the US magazine Realtor, traveled to Cuba recently because of her interest in discovering the potential of the real estate market on the island.