Canberra Times in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Cuba Plans Sugar Focus for Next Three to Five Years

Cuba will base its economic effort on sugar production for the next three to five years while delaying other industrial developments. Prime Minister Fidel Castro and advisers expect world sugar shortages to persist, financing imports of manufactured goods through sugar exports. Officials seek wider raw trading partners beyond the communist bloc, with Spain agreeing to 100000 tons of sugar for goods, and talks with Japan, Britain, France, and Canada under way. Tobacco and coffee exports will be strengthened despite a poor coffee crop and recent hurricane damage.