Havana, March 11 (RHC)--  Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero reviewed the progress of foreign investment programs, the energy sector, and tourism, which are priority issues for the Cuban government.

In the first of the meetings, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Rodrigo Malmierca, reported on the projects with foreign investment during the first semester of this year.

Malmierca stressed that more than 50 projects have been identified, with a significant impact on the country's economy, but that there are obstacles, such as the application of the Helms-Burton Act.

They cover the sugar industry, and the ministries of Construction, Agriculture, Food Industry, Industries, Energy and Mines, Tourism, Transport, and Domestic Trade.

In this connection, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero said that despite the intensification of the blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba, the country needs to close and expand business with foreign investment.

Reviewing the progress of foreign investment programs, the energy sector, and tourism in Cuba, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero said that to modernize the industry and produce more than what is imported, more business must be done.

Marrero reviewed the Policy's programs for the development of Renewable Energy Sources, and the construction of Small Hydroelectric Plants, of which one is already in operation, and two are under construction.

Productions of the Ministry of the Food Industry for the Tourism sector were also discussed, given their high impact on the quality of tourism services in the country.

The Cuban Prime Minister reiterated the importance of boosing such productions as a compelling way to raise the quality of service and replace imports in that strategic sector.