Cuba Gov. Cuts Prices on Building Materials

HAVANA TIMES, Dec 22 — “Today people will see price cuts take effect on 122 types of construction materials,” said Odalys Escandell, the first deputy minister of Domestic Trade, speaking before Cuba’s parliament on Wednesday.

Among those items whose costs will be reduced are cement blocks, bathroom fixtures, water tanks, sinks, screens, bricks, tiles and asphalt tiles and waterproofing sheets.

The prices cut will be generally from 20 to 30 percent, with even greater reductions on certain other items. Many of the products are currently stockpiled in warehouses and offices, and have yet to be put on the market, said the official. The previous prices were admittedly too high for most of the population.