Mariel is the most important work being undertaken in the country, considered Raul

Army General Raul Castro Ruz, President of the Councils of State and Ministers, reiterated on Saturday morning the strategic significance of  Mariel Special Development Zone, which he described as the most important work being done in the country.

These remarks were made during meeting to check  progress of  investments of Mariel Project, where he was made aware of the work carried out on railways, roads, water supply, telecommunications infrastructure,  electricity, security and protection technical systems, as well as those in the area of logistics activities and the dredging of the bay.

Likewise, the results of the last monthly inspection carried out by the Institute of Physical Planning   to verify the effectiveness of the measures adopted to confront illegal buildings in the Zone were made public. As explained, even when progress is made in these works, it has not been possible to stop all the violations.

In Mariel there has to be order because “we are defending the economic future of the country”, he said. Cuba cannot continue to rely on the export of a few products to achieve its development, hence the immense commitment we put into these investments, “here are the bases to achieve the economic takeoff we need”, he said.

Raúl insisted, in addition, on the need to strictly respect the maintenance policy designed for this investment because otherwise the expenses are multiplied, “should not be built what later cannot be maintained and we have to educate ourselves in the strict fulfillment of duty”.

Before closing  the meeting, the Army General considered that a great effort had been made, but we must continue moving forward. “I congratulate everyone, those who direct and those who execute the works, for what they have done so far, but we must do more and better”, he concluded.

The meeting was also attended by Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Vice President of the Councils of State and of Ministers, Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, Vice President of the Councils of State and of Ministers; Antonio Enrique Lussón Battle, Vice President of the Government; as well as other ministers, national leaders and representatives of Artemisa province.