The Formax FD 8300SC offers the small business, home office, or busy executive convenient strip cut, desk-side shredding in a powerful and compact package. Able to handle CDs and credit cards, the FD 8300SC is geared for the needs of the modern user. Here are a few reasons you might want to check out the FD 8300SC today.

  1. Capacity. TheFD 8300SC is a powerful little desk-side shredder that gives you the capacity to destroy up to a remarkable 23 sheets of paper at a time. The cutting blades are specially designed for long life, the motor is AC-geared and both are constructed of heavy duty, high quality steel. The unique gear design of the motor is a great feature that makes this machine powerful, efficient, and surprisingly quiet. The FD 8300SC offers you an impressive throughput rate of 21 feet per minute, and the wide 10.5 inch feed opening will easily handle all of the most common paper sizes with ease. This is a rugged little machine that should be more than up to the task for your small business, home office, or as a convenient desk-side shredder for the busy executive.
  2. Easy to Use. The FD 8300SC features an easy to read and easy to use LED control panel that lets you know the operational mode of the machine at all times. At the feed opening, there is an optical sensor that detects when there is paper in the slot and automatically starts operation and stops the machine when the job is done. This means that you can simply place your paper in the FD 8300SC and walk away to complete other tasks. If you need to shred film or other items that are too light for the optical sensor to detect, you can simply place the FD 8300SC into manual mode.
  3. Safe to Operate. When shopping for a shredder it is always important to take a good look at the safety features. The FD 8300SC has an impressive array of them, including a function that stops the motor automatically if someone opens the cabinet door or if the waste bin is full and needs to be emptied. Also, in order to prevent paper jams, the FD 8300SC has built in and automatic controls that sense a possible overfeed and switch the motor immediately into reverse mode until the jam is cleared. The circuit breaker helps to ensure that the shredder will never overload the electrical system.
  4. Handles Digital Media. These days, confidential information comes in many different forms and you know that you can’t be too careful when it comes time to destroy your old expired credit cards. The FD 8300SC meets the security needs of the modern home and office, destroying compact discs, DVDs, and credit cards with ease through a dedicated opening.
  5. Thermal Protection. Especially with a smaller desk-side unit, you always want to be careful not to overwork the motor on bigger shredding jobs. The FD 8300SC takes that worry away with its automatic thermal protection that will shut the motor off when it begins to overheat, preventing any damage from occurring. If the thermal protection feature is activated you will simply need to wait until the shredder cools down before you can use it again.

If you are interested in more information about the Formax 8300SC Strip-Cut Shredder, you might want to visit MyBinding.com. They offer a great price on this machine and they even offer Free Shipping. Plus, they carry the full line of Formax Paper Shredders, shredder bags and shredder oil. Check it out today!

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The Fellowes Powershred C-220i is a rough and ready shredder that is designed for moderate to heavy use from a small to medium sized office. If you are in the market for a can-do shredder with some advanced features, here are a few of the reasons you should check out the Powershred C-220i today.

  1. The End of Paper Jams. There is nothing more annoying than having to deal with a paper jam when you are just trying to get some shredding done. The Powershred C-220i features a Jam Proof system that will help to end that problem for good. First of all, when you are inserting your documents, the Powershred C-220i uses electronic sensors to measure the thickness of the load. Then, you keep an eye on the light gauge as you are going along: green means you can add more paper, yellow mean that you are shredding within the recommended capacity, and red means that an overfeed is occurring. If paper is accidentally fed into the machine a little off kilter, the 100% Jam Proof system will power through it.
  2. Amazing Capacity. The Powershred C-220i is a beast of a shredder, meant to see regular use from 1-5 workers in a typical day and capable of destroying up to 10,000 sheets of paper per day and as many as 20 in a single pass. The.5 Hp motor is runs at 20 feet per minute, and is custom designed for continuous use, (so overheating is not an issue as it is with most other shredders). The Powershred C-220i ‘s solid steel cutting heads are guaranteed for the life of the machine. Add to all of this the Powershred C-220i’s capability to shred not only paper, but credit cards, paper, staples and even CDs and DVDs (through their own dedicated opening,) and you have a rugged, versatile shredder that is more than up to the task of the shredding needs of your busy office.
  3. Quiet Operation. In a busy office setting, one thing that you will always want to be aware of is keeping distracting noises to a minimum. The Powershred C-220i features silent operation, preferring to turn heads with its good looks rather than noise. The Powershred C-220i also features a power saving sleep mode, and an indicator to let you know when the bin is full.
  4. Safety. The Powershred C-220i is a machine that takes safety seriously, with its patented SafeSense technology. This system uses electronic body heat sensors to detect when there are hands too close to the feed opening, and stops the machine immediately. This is a remarkable, high tech safety measure that no other manufacturer can claim. The shredder also shuts off automatically when the bin is full or the door is open.
  5. Convenience. The Powershred C-220i has a 9.5 inch throat width, which means that it will fit legal and letter sized sheets with ease, and some of the larger custom sizes too. The Powershred C-220i also comes on heavy duty casters so you can just roll the shredder to wherever you need it at any time. You can set the Powershred C-220i to start and stop automatically when you place paper in the opening, and the bin holds a nice hefty 16 gallons of waste.

If you are interested in more information about the Fellowes Powershred C-220i Shredder, you might want to visit MyBinding.com. They offer a great price on this machine and they even offer Free Shipping. Plus, they carry the full line of Fellowes Paper Shredders, shredder bags and shredder oil. Check it out today!

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It is possible to make money investing in real estate, but it won’t be smooth sailing at all times. Given the slow nature of the real estate market, any fledgling investor faces a tough battle against the competition when purchasing and reselling properties. If you find yourself in a similar situation, you will realize that the real estate business is quite risky. You will of course make mistakes along the way. But to make sure that you are on the right track, it is best to take a cue from the experience of veteran investors–learn from their mistakes and you will soon make your business profitable. Here are five blunders you must avoid in real estate investing.

1. Failure to build contacts

A common misconception among investors is that they can do everything on their own. However, certain market conditions (i.e. down market) compel investors to enlist help from professionals in completing real estate deals. That being said, you must tap every potential contact that can aid you in buying the right property. Your list of contacts may include experts such as lawyers, insurance agents, real estate agents, accountants, home inspectors, and repairmen. You can count on these people to help you make money investing in real estate.

2. Acquiring bad financing

Many homebuyers make the mistake of getting interest-only or variable loans when the interest rates are high. The ideal time for buying properties is when the interest rates are low. This gives you the flexibility to pay the loans.

3. Failure to factor in all the expenses

In real estate investing, the last thing you would want to happen is to run out of funds because you underestimated the costs involved in your business. Make sure that you take into account all the expenses such as maintenance, renovation, and furnishing the property. Even minor expenses such as taxes and insurance should be anticipated as well.

Here’s a tip: list all the monthly expenses involved in maintaining and renovating a home. That way, you can find out if you can indeed afford the property on sale.

4. Lack of research

When you buy an appliance or an expensive gadget, you research about the item you are eyeing, compare various models, and figure out if the item gives value for your money. Buying properties for investing is no different; in fact, research on it should be done more thoroughly. You need to ask plenty of questions about the property and the area where it is situated. What items must be replaced in the house? Are there any problems in the area? Is the property located in a flood-prone or problematic area? Why is the homeowner selling the property? These are just some of the questions you have to ask when choosing the property to purchase.

5. Overpaying

Looking for the right property is a time-consuming process. That is why many buyers tend to overbid when they find a house that fits their needs, hoping that the seller would accept the bid. As a result, these buyers accumulate more debts and are forced to pay more than they can afford. Avoid this mistake because it can hurt your chances to make money investing in real estate.

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Why marry a Filipina bride, you may ask? Women are not the same in general. Personality and character varies. One main reason is that culture and family background are different from place to place. So if you are a foreigner seeking a Filipina lady for marriage, or you desire a happy and successful marriage after that divorce, then consider finding your true love among Filipina women.

Here are five reasons why:

Reason # 1. She is affectionate. Nobody can resist the warmth and the affection of a Filipina. She can translate that affection into action. She will literally take care of you.

Reason # 2. She is smart. She can communicate with you and can learn your language fast if you do not speak English. Many Filipina women are highly educated. Education is a very important part of the Filipino culture. Most of them actually went to college or have a university degree.

Reason # 3. She is easy to please. Pleasing a Filipina bride leads you the way to her heart. You do not have a hard time pleasing her because she is very appreciative in every good thing. Even little things will make her happy. Usually, you will find that Filipinas have a cheerful personality.

Reason # 4.She is diligent. You would not like to marry someone who would not like to do chores at home. You do not want to come home with a messy and stinky house, right? Most Filipina women are very neat and tidy, not only physically but also in keeping their houses clean. She will work hard to give the best for her family.

Reason # 5. She is a beautiful woman inside and out. Many foreigners label Filipina ladies as exotic and unique. But aside from her physical look, she also has an admirable character. Filipino parents never fail to teach their children good values. That’s why Filipina brides are good-natured, charming and are ideal marriage partners.

A Filipina dream bride always has this dream of marrying the perfect man for her. Read more: 5 Important Qualities A Filipina Bride Looks For In A Husband at http://www.FilipinaMatchmaking.com

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Almost all webmasters or website owners are looking for ways to get better results from their websites. They wish to improve their site’s standing and get better rankings in search engines. This quest for improved results, known as search engine positioning, can be satisfied by following a few basic procedures.

Before you even begin, you have to realize that you are competing against hundreds, and in some categories, thousands of websites offering similar products and services. In the case of affiliate marketing, many of the competing websites may even be identical! If you want to get the edge over these competitors and improve your search engine positioning you have to fine-tune your website and actively work to make it better.

1. Make Sure that your design is search engine friendly:

Your design may look good to your eyes, but it may also be the cause of you present difficulties and poor search engine positioning. How is that possible? Look at your web page using a text editor or the html view of popular editors such as Dreamweaver and Frontpage. On what line does your first line of copy begin? If your actual copy is pushed far down the page, it is more difficult for search engines to pick up the crucial information that would have helped you to improve your web page ranking.

If you have this difficulty, first take out all unnecessary spaces in the html code. If there are long strings of javascript, put these in external files. Similarly, put style information in external Cascading Style Sheet files. Simplifying your table structure may also help. If this starts getting too complicated for you, then consult with a professional search engine positioning specialist or your web designer.

2. Make sure your keywords are strategically placed in your copy:

It is not possible to improve web page ranking if the readable copy on your web page does not contain the words you wish to be found by. Many people erroneously think that just putting your important keywords in meta tags is enough. This is not true, some search engines hardly use the meta tags and look more to the copy on the page. Make sure that your important copy is in the first paragraph of text, in headlines (using headers such as H1, H2, H3) and in the active or clickable portions of link text on your page.

3. Use a site map and text link navigation on your pages:

If you want to improve your search engine positioning for all the pages of your website then you have to be sure that these pages actually get indexed or included in the search engines. You can help this process along by making a site map, a web page that has text links to all the sub pages of your site. Another good practice is to include a text link navigation system on your web pages, even if you already have a graphics based navigation bar elsewhere on these same pages. Remember, search engines follow text links more easily. A robot that lands on your main page or site map page will follow the text links and then visit and index your lower level pages.

4. Increase the quantity and quality of inbound links:

In fiercely competitive categories it will be difficult to improve web page ranking without obtaining a good number of links to your page from other websites. If you have very good and valuable copy, other sites may link to you because you are a valuable resource. However, if you want to speed this process along you will have to actively request links from other websites, either by trading links or by getting your content (with a link back to your site) placed on other websites.

When it comes to links you should keep in mind one important principle: it is not the quantity of links that is important, but the quality. One good link from an authority site such as CNN or Wikipedia is worth more than dozens of links from other sites. To get these quality links, there is no short cut. You will have to earn it by having a site that provides a lot of useful information.

5. Keep up with Search Engine Developments:

The challenge of improving your web page ranking and search engine positioning is dynamic. Search engines are not static. Most of the big search engines of yesterday have disappeared or are only minor players today. You should keep up with changes in the world of search engines by taking part in online forums or subscribing to newsletters which deal with topics such as search engine optimization, web ranking, and general webmaster related issues.

For years I have been getting great information from the Led Digest, a subscription list which is sent out several times a week. You can see samples online at www.led-digest.com

If you do not have the expertise or the time to tackle these matters by yourself then you should take advantage of skilled professionals who can help you to improve your site’s performance in search engines. Whether you rely on professionals or are able to do it yourself, these five tips can provide a good point of reference for starting the work.

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Charlie Davies an American soccer player had a fatal car accident in Virginia last early Tuesday. The accident causes a great impact to the United States hope for achieving prominent awards in soccer’s 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

**Without Charlie Davies, Do Think The Team Has A Chance To Win?**

VOTE YES  or  VOTE NO

(Just vote above for your chance to win a Dish Network – Satellite TV)

The American forward Charlie Davies is amongst the top and most promising soccer player for the past few years.  He got a fatal accident that severely injured him. The incident happened around 3:15 in the morning, and crashed along George Washington Memorial Parkway. The other passenger namely Ashley J. Roberta, 22 years old of Phoenix, Md., was killed in the crash. According to the police, the driver that they did not identify lost control of the car, which hit a guardrail and split in half.

Charlie Davies underwent five hours of surgery and describes as “serious condition” at Washington Hospital Center. The spokeperson of the United States Soccer Team Neil Buethe said the Davies injuries are not life threatening but will eventually affects Davies future games. Davies plays a great role for the FC Sochaux in French League and paves way to the debut of his team in June 2007 and played in 17 major games for U.S scoring four goals. The team felt sad when they learned the news and felt sorry for Charlie and his family.

Charlie Davies is great player, he will be a great lost for the team. His partnership with Jozy Altidore is the best dual combination in the game that makes Davies’ speed matches the opponent, and they surely do great in the coming league in South Africa.

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The number of people shopping online for cigar accessories has been on the rise, in the past one decade or so. Perhaps this is yet another piece of evidence that the Internet market has come of age – so that people shop there for things they wouldn’t even have considered buying remotely, in days gone by. And the beauty of online shopping is that trends can be very easily monitored. It is from such monitoring of online shopping for cigar accessories that we can be in a position to work out what the most commonly bought cigar accessories are.

Understandably, cigar lighters come across as the most commonly bought cigar accessories online – and presumably, offline too. These, for the benefit of those who are new to the whole cigar smoking business, are the devices you use to light up your cigar, so that you can smoke it. Of course, anything that produces an open flame can serve this purpose. But using the ‘right tool for the right job’ (the specialized cigar lighter in this case) makes you come across as a person with a refined taste,  a person of class; which is definitely not the case when you use a matchstick for the job. Some cigar lighters will tend to be very beautifully crafted; whereas others are rather rudimentary, practical if you like. Ultimately, you tend to get what you pay for.

The reason as to why cigar lighters are amongst the most commonly bought cigar accessories is because their usage is inevitable. You have to light a cigar to enjoy it. And if your image is something you care about, you need to ensure that it is a proper lighter you are using. It also doesn’t help that the lighters are notoriously easy to lose; so that most people are perpetually replacing theirs.

Cigar tubes are another variety of cigar accessories that are very commonly bought. They are meant to serve the purpose of protecting the cigars, the same way an arsenal would protect the arrows in it. They are also image devices: you don’t want to be seen pulling cigars out of your pocket, if you can afford to be seen getting them out of a proper case.

Then there are cigar cases, as another variety of very commonly bought cigar accessories. These too, serve a practical purpose of protecting the cigars (just as the cigar tubes do); but they tend to be larger in size. They are also something of image devices – being seen pulling your cigars out of a case is definitely better than being seen pulling them out of your back pocket.

Cigar cutters are the next most commonly purchased cigar accessories. These find application in the smoking process itself; and they are quite indispensable. They are the devices you used to nip the ‘cap’ of the cigar so that you can start enjoying it. Of course, you could use your knife to uncap your cigars; but only will you look uncultured, you will also be taking the risk of making a mess of them.

If you are looking to buy <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.cigarsetc.com/c-54-accessories.aspx”>cigar accessories</a> you should definitely check out our online cigar stores. <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.cigarsetc.com/”>Humidors</a> along with various cigar accessories are available.

Whether you want to enjoy the highlights of Havana, relax in five star accommodation on the coast, or escape to a secluded part of the island, there’s bound to be a Cuba hotel that’s perfect for you. Here are four of the country’s very best.

The Best Cuba Hotels for 4 Different Cuban Holidays

There are few places that can offer such a diverse range of holiday experiences as Cuba. You can relax in some of the finest all inclusive beach resorts in the world, live it up in cosmopolitan and historical Havana, escape to one of the lesser known historical cities, or find your own deserted getaway in the mountains or on the coast. Whatever kind of holiday you want to have, choosing which one of the many Cuba hotels to stay in is always going to be a hard choice.

Here are some of the best Cuba hotels for four different kinds of holiday…

For five star luxury…

The very finest Cuba hotels are naturally located in Havana, the Cuban capital, and in this city you really are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting your accommodation! For sheer grandeur and luxury, however, there is one hotel that stands out from the crowd – The Saratoga. This five star hotel was built in the 1930′s and is a classic example of neo-colonial architecture at its most stunning. With elegantly decorated rooms and spectacular panoramic views of the port and Havana’s Old Town, it’s hard to beat the Saratoga if you want the grandest accommodation on the island.

For a secluded getaway…

Sometimes you just want to get away from it all, and Cuba offers plenty of opportunities to find a peaceful retreat away from the crowds. Travel to the northern province of Pinar del Rio, and you’ll discover a part of Cuba that is a world away from the major cities and frenetic beach resorts. This part of the country is dedicated to tobacco growing for the famous Cuban cigars, and the beautiful countryside is ideal for hiking and horse riding. La Moka in Las Terrazas is the ideal base for a holiday in Pinar del Rio, a small hotel in a secluded location that is the perfect place to relax.

For a bustling beach holiday…

If you like a beach holiday that is filled with life, colour, and plenty of things to keep you occupied, Guardalavaca is the place to be. The biggest and most developed of Cuba’s beach resorts, Guardalavaca is also home to some superb hotels. For a place that is the life and soul of the party, the Playa Pesquero hotel is hard to beat. With facilities that include a swim up bar, six restaurants, numerous bars and the glorious Pesquero beach just a moment away, it is the biggest and perhaps the best hotel in Guardalavaca.

For a peaceful urban break…

Havana is often regarded as Cuba’s star attraction, but it is far from the only place to stay on the island. For somewhere a little less touristed but with just as much to see, head over to Trinidad. This town has the finest examples of colonial architecture on the island, and has even been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status for its remarkable buildings.

If you want to stay at the finest hotel in town, choose the Grand Hotel Trinidad. With its attentive service, high quality accommodation and ideal location in the heart of the Old Town, this five star boutique hotel truly stands out from the crowd, and is one of the best Cuba hotels.

Emma Lelliott is the general manager of Captivating Cuba, an independent specialist in luxury holidays to Cuba. With offices in Havana and the UK, Captivating Cuba can tailor-make your holiday to a choice of Cuba hotels .

Since its release in 1999, the Ashton VSG has been the most successful blend of Ashton cigars to date. This is a very full-bodied cigar known for having a smooth and deep draw and a rich, complex, intoxicating flavor.

The term VSG stands for Virgin Sun Grown in reference to the fact that all tobaccos used in these cigars are sun-grown by nature. This powerful line is the personal handiwork of Carlos Fuentes Jr. himself, who worked in partnership with Ashton for a total of two years.

Four to five year-old Dominican tobacco is hand-picked from the most fertile plants. The unique flavor of the Ashton VSG comes from a wrapper that is grown on a private estate in Ecuador owned by the Oliva family where it is grown for the Fuente Family exclusively for Ashton. The wrapper matures slowly by sunlight filtered through the region’s natural cloud covering.

This is a powerful cigar with an intoxicating flavor with a complex rich finish. It is blended by Carlos Fuente Jr. using 4 to 5 year old Dominican tobacco hand-picked from the most fertile plants. The unique flavor of the VSG comes from a wrapper that is grown on a private estate in Ecuador owned by the Oliva family where it is grown for the Fuente Family exclusively for Ashton. The wrapper matures slowly by sunlight filtered through the region’s natural cloud covering.

This complex blend of flavor and color are derived from a couple of things. The first is the Dominican filler and binder that make up the heart of each of these fine cigars.

Carlos Fuente Jr. himself blends this line, using 4-5 year old Dominican tobacco that is hand-picked from his very best plants. A more complex layering of flavor derives from the superb Ecuadorian wrapper. The Ecuadorian wrapper is matured very slowly in filtered sunlight that trickles down through the natural cloud covering hovering over the Oliva familys private estate where it is grown.

The Ashton VSG is considered a full body smoke. Generally, it is most appreciated by veteran cigar aficionados who appreciate complexity in flavor and aroma. It is also a good cigar for bold new smokers who want to try something more powerful simply for the sake of appreciating the virtues of strength. Those who do so find that it has a creamy flavor as well that makes the draw as pleasant as it is powerful.

In fact, many cigar reviews have described this cigar as having an elegant, intoxicating flavor. Just after lighting, it has floral notes and flavors that remind you of plum. It also tastes distinctively of natural tobacco. Hints of spice, clove, and cinnamon are also present.

The Ashton VSG becomes moister toward the middle. Many report a leathery component and cedar sweetness. Toward the end of the smoke, a note of raw peanuts can be tasted. It is also well-loved because it has a slow, even burn thanks to an even and firm construction.

The Ashton VSG is distinctively square in shape that it has become a known form. You can also buy these cigars in a round shape if that is your preference. The most popular size is the 55 ring-size Torpedo. Ashton also makes this blend in ring sizes of 44, 46, and 52.

For more information on Ashton VSG Cigars and Cigar Smoking come visit our Cigar Shop online for Premium Cigars and Accessories

The study of the economy of Cuba can be divided into four phases. The first phase consists of the occupation of the island by the Spanish, which led to the extinction of the aboriginals and the bringing of African slaves to work on the sugar plantations. At this point of time, Cuba provided for the highly profitable business of sugar cultivation and its exports. Sugar industry was the crux of Cuba’s economy and Cuba rose to become one of the largest producers of sugar in the world.


The second phase pertains to the years following the wars of independence against the Spanish and also the invasion of Cuba by the US. It is marked by the sweeping powers of intervention obtained by the US in 1902, with the Cuban economy being controlled by the growing investment of the US citizens in the sugar plantations of Cuba. Now, again, money and profits from the sugar plantation, sugar refineries and subsidiary sugar products such as rum went to the many American investors and a few Cuban elite. The other major industries also included tourism, tobacco, transportation, mining and the communication industry.


The third phase begins with the Cuban revolution and the beginning of Fidel Castro’s rule in the year 1959. All plantations that were more than 400 hectares became state owned and all industries including the petroleum and the telephones became nationalized. This lead to the US trade embargo towards Cuba. Cuba lost its traditional international market. However, Cuba found a trade and political ally in the USSR when the Cuban-sugar for Russian-oil package worked well. Cuba reoriented itself to the Russian and pro-Russian market and did over 80% of its international trade with them. The next 30 years saw tremendous improvement in health care, education and social welfare. Cuba boasts of a 97% literacy rate and the life expectancy increased to 76%. There was an egalitarian distribution of income and Cuba’s income inequality index became the lowest in the world.


All was well until 1989 when it became clear to Cuba that sooner or later Cuba would have to learn to do without any subsidies or trade relations with the USSR and the eastern European countries. The fourth phase begins here with the government dubbing it as the ‘Special Period in Peacetime’. The economic reforms include:


(i) the opening and gearing up of tourism as an industry

(ii) diversification of the agricultural sector by producing fruits and vegetables and rice along with live stock for local consumption that include the visiting tourists.

(iii) production of more of citrus food and less of sugar

(iv) focusing on that sector of fisheries which sent its fleets to nearby seas and exporting spiny lobsters to Japan

(v) State-owned lands have been converted to agricultural cooperatives that are managed to a certain degree by the workers. Retail outlets at a small scale have been allowed for the food market. In the field of food production, allowing the sale of excess production (which is above the state-fixed production quota) in the free market has brought down black markets, in addition to enhancing production

(vi) Foreign investments in various industries such as tourism, mining, telecommunication, construction and manufacturing sectors have been allowed

(vii) Self employment has been legalized for around 150 occupations.


Investment into biotechnology and pharmaceuticals during the third phase reaped returns when products of this industry were available for export now at the fourth phase.


The other Cuban industries include cement, steel, agricultural machinery and construction.


Fisheries, nickel and ore production, growing agricultural products such as fruits, tobacco are some areas that have shown growth in the export sector. Cuba now exports to European countries (50%), Canada and Latin America (20%), and Asia (20%).


Spain, France, and United Kingdom have invested in the tobacco and cigar production. Spain and Canada have invested in the exploration of oil off the shores of Cuba. Mexico, Canada, Australia, South-Africa, Netherlands, Brazil, and Chile are the other major countries that have invested in the various industries of Cuba.


Cuba has entered into an agreement with Venezuela whereby thousands of Cubans who are doctors, teachers and sports trainers, and engineers would move in to Venezuela to assist their development program in return for 53,000 barrels of oil per day being shipped to Cuba for the next five years.


“Energy revolution” where apart form changing the entire system of power generation and distribution, energy conservation is also aimed at, has been in vogue in Cuba for the last two years. The quality of life of the Cubans are improving with the volunteers of the government replacing on a door-to-door campaign, the existing electric stoves and lights with the ones that are more efficient and less energy consuming. Energy efficient refrigerators and television sets have been distributed and would be installed in all the thousands of housing units that the government is building. Energy efficient buses from China would soon be available for the Cuban public transport. It is just a matter of some time when power generation would take place at hundreds of units that are well synchronized, thus avoiding wastage of power while distributing it through very long distances. Generation of natural gas while exploring for oil at oil rigs is also considered.


Cuba has also legalized the US dollars. Further, the Venezuelan inputs for domestic oil production and upgradation of existing power stations have raised the level of optimism. Cuba is also hoping to find oil off its shores. Apart from the sugar industry and its related products, there are various industries such as tourism (also called the lung of the Cuban economy), fisheries, nickel and ore production, production of tobacco, Cuban cigar, citrus fruits, pharmaceuticals, coffee, besides basic manufacturing industries which have earned Cuba foreign exchange. Cuba has learned to manage its post-USSR economic condition and is steering towards a more prosperous economy.

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