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| Cuba eases restrictions on loans to small businesses | Cuba eases restrictions on loans to small businesses |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Cuban government has eased restrictions on loans to private borrowers in the latest measure aimed at boosting the island's troubled economy. | The Cuban government has eased restrictions on loans to private borrowers in the latest measure aimed at boosting the island's troubled economy. |
| Individuals and small businesses can now borrow smaller amounts and have more time to pay back the government. | Individuals and small businesses can now borrow smaller amounts and have more time to pay back the government. |
| President Raul Castro had launched the programme two years ago as part of measures to reform Cuban socialism. | President Raul Castro had launched the programme two years ago as part of measures to reform Cuban socialism. |
| The minimum lending has been reduced from 3,000 to 1,000 pesos (£41; $67). | |
| The measure was published in the official gazette. | The measure was published in the official gazette. |
| People will also be allowed to use their houses or jewellery to guarantee their loans. | People will also be allowed to use their houses or jewellery to guarantee their loans. |
| The maximum period of the loans has been extended from five to 10 years. | The maximum period of the loans has been extended from five to 10 years. |
| 'Civilised relations' | 'Civilised relations' |
| Earlier this month, the Cuban government lifted restrictions on private individuals buying new and second-hand cars. | Earlier this month, the Cuban government lifted restrictions on private individuals buying new and second-hand cars. |
| Any Cuban citizen or foreigner with enough money will now be allowed to import the vehicles through an official agency. | Any Cuban citizen or foreigner with enough money will now be allowed to import the vehicles through an official agency. |
| Previously, official permits were required and they were often issued to government officials, doctors and other people with access to the authorities, such as sports stars. | Previously, official permits were required and they were often issued to government officials, doctors and other people with access to the authorities, such as sports stars. |
| The main aim of the reforms introduced in the last few years is to keep the economy afloat, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Cuba. | The main aim of the reforms introduced in the last few years is to keep the economy afloat, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Cuba. |
| More than 400,000 people, or about 9% of the Cuban workforce, are now self-employed, says the AP news agency. | More than 400,000 people, or about 9% of the Cuban workforce, are now self-employed, says the AP news agency. |
| In his speech before the National Assembly in Havana on 22 December, Mr Castro called on the United States to establish "civilised relations" with his country. | In his speech before the National Assembly in Havana on 22 December, Mr Castro called on the United States to establish "civilised relations" with his country. |
| But he warned that Cuba and the US - old Cold War rivals - "should respect their differences". | But he warned that Cuba and the US - old Cold War rivals - "should respect their differences". |
| The US broke relations in 1961, two years after the revolution led by Raul's brother, Fidel Castro. It imposed an economic embargo on the island shortly after that. | The US broke relations in 1961, two years after the revolution led by Raul's brother, Fidel Castro. It imposed an economic embargo on the island shortly after that. |