Havana, Cuba.- The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Cuba has a growth forecast for 2019 of 1.5 percent, the Minister of Economy and Planning, Alejandro Gil, said on Friday at the National Assembly.

According to the report presented by the minister in the second ordinary period of the 9th Legislature, at the Conference Center of this capital, it is a realistic vision, in tune with the situation of the country and external tensions.

Gil explained at the plenary session of the deputies that the international scenario is complex, ratified by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) with its forecast of 1.7 percent regional growth.

He also recalled Cuba’s particularities, such as the impact on its development of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States for almost six decades, which has been intensified by the current administration in the White House.

According to the official, the economic plan for 2019 is realistic and is based on the principle of complying with expenses adjusted to available resources, which guarantee growth and development without increasing the country’s external debt.

In the parliamentary session, Gil forecast that in 2019 a better performance of the sugar industry, tourism, commerce, agriculture, construction, commerce, communications, and exports is expected.

Therefore, we foresee growth in primary sectors, with a direct impact on production, he warned.

Gil insisted on the need to meet the expected income, which is due to the adherence to principles such as diversification of exports, efficiency, and import substitution.