Cuban parliament reviews 2014 budget

The Cuban parliament, chaired by top leader Raul Castro, on Saturday reviewed Cuba's budget and economic plan for the next year. The deputies also debated on the execution of economic and social plans in 2013 in the country at the parliament's two-day ordinary session starting on Friday. The 612 members of Cuba's unicameral parliament Friday discussed and approved the daft of a new Labor Code to meet the changes occurring on the island, as part of the reforms introduced by Castro to make the socialist model more efficient and productive. The deputies were also briefed on the implementation of the over 300 guidelines of political and economic reforms in the country. Vice President Marino Murillo confirmed the gradual elimination of the dual-currency system in the country. Murillo also said that the authorities are working on Cuba's long-term economic development plan up to 2030, the first version of which should be ready in 2015. The ordinary session of the parliament is expected to close later Saturday with a usual closing speech delivered by Castro to unveil the main political, social and economic events in 2014 in the country.