Havana, February 22 (RHC)-- Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez insisted that rigor, discipline and control must be the premises that guide the fulfillment of the Plan of the Economy.  He also emphasized that non-compliance cannot use the excuse of fuel shortages.

Speaking at a meeting of the Council of Ministers this week, the Cuban President said that given the tense situation generated by the aggressiveness of the U.S. government, "we must do things differently because we can not give up on the Plan."

In assessing the economy's performance in January, the head of state considered that the economy behaved acceptably, despite internal problems and the U.S. administration's stubbornness in preventing fuel from reaching the island.

On the subject, Deputy Prime Minister Alejandro Gil Fernandez reported that during January exports grew compared to the same period last year, while imports showed a downward trend. Among the best performing export items were tobacco and lobster.

During the first 30 days of the year, some 393,768 visitors arrived in the country, 99.5% of the plan. Notably, the national tourism reached 106.7%.

Gil, who is also the minister of  Economy and Planning, confirmed the fulfillment of steel and wood production, not so in the case of cement production that remained at 94% of the plan.

During January, 1,629 houses were built, starting the second year of the Housing Policy implementation, after having fulfilled what was planned in its first year.

Gil Fernandez said that steps are being taken to increase the participation of the national industry in the supply of products, of medium and high range, in stores that sell in exchangeable currency, including Split ACs and television sets.

At the same time, he announced that a contract is underway to acquire bicycles and electric tricycles to be sold in these stores.