Cuba loosens control of its private sector in a struggle with a mounting humanitarian crisis

Cuba has loosened restrictions on private businesses to allow imports of foreign goods and medicines, a sector firmly controlled by the Communist-led government

Cuba has loosened restrictions on private businesses to allow imports of foreign goods and medicines, a sector firmly controlled by the Communist-led government

In a lengthy decree, the authorities lifted restrictions on a swath of sectors including petrol distribution, electricity generation, trash collection and the manufacture and sale of medicines.

It was already a difficult situation, but nothing comparable to what has unfolded over the past month following the liberalization of prices.

Many of China’s private firms continue to face tough operating conditions, including intense market competition, persistent payment delays and weak domestic demand, though technology firms have shown stronger momentum, according to fresh survey results. The recent survey of 79 entrepreneurs from medium- and large-sized