Reforms on agenda for Cuba's legislators

7/24/2012

HAVANA -- Cuba's National Assembly gathered Monday for one of its twice-a-year legislative sessions.

The country's economic reform plans, a new tax system, and budgetary issues were on the agenda.

Islanders and Cuba-watchers will be seeing if the assembly acts on long-promised measures such as eased travel restrictions, increased private farming of state-controlled land, or approval of cooperative businesses. Foreign journalists were not allowed access to the session.

President Raul Castro's five-year plan to overhaul the economy has already legalized the sale of homes and cars and paved the way for hundreds of thousands of Cubans to go into business for themselves.