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Cuba eases curb on sale of TVs, other electronic goods

Cuba has eased restrictions on the sale of computers, DVD players and other electrical goods in the first sign of economic liberalization since former Cuban president Fidel Castro retired last month. The appliances will go on sale immediately and be available to anybody who can pay, according to an internal government memo seen by the news agency Reuters.

The move followed promises by new Cuban President Raul Castro to improve dire living standards that make daily life a grind and erode confidence in the island's communist leadership.

MORE POWER

The memo said: "Based on the improved availability of electricity, the government at the highest level has approved the sale of some equipment which was prohibited."

The list of newly available goods included 19-inch and 24-inch TVs, electric pressure cookers, electric bicycles, car alarms and microwaves.

The sale of many appliances was banned in the 1990s, when the end of Soviet subsidies led to an energy crisis and daily blackouts. Subsidized oil from Venezuela is now filling the gap, allowing Havana's policymakers to ease restrictions.

With an average monthly salary of just ?8 (US$16), few Cubans will be able to splash out, but the relaxation was seen as a sign that the government was serious about addressing economic grievances.

LIBERALIZATION?

When illness forced Fidel Castro to step aside in 2006, there was speculation that his less ideological and more pragmatic brother would cautiously try to copy China's economic liberalization. Raul's confirmation as president last month appears to have emboldened him to make his first concrete move.

"The country's priority will be to meet the basic needs of the population, both material and spiritual," said Raul, 76, upon formally taking office.

If confirmed, the move shows practical recognition of the desire for material improvements, said David Jessop, director of the Cuba Initiative, a London-based body which promotes trade between the island and Britain.

"It will be interesting to see whether this step is followed by other changes in the coming months in relation to agriculture, travel and access to tourism facilities," he said.
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