Cuba’s First Computer Factory – A Brighter Future
Cuba has established a computer factory. The first of its kind in the country. It produces up to 500 devices in a day.
The computers that are produced here are either sold wholesale or supplied to organizations and state institution affiliated with the central state administration of Cuba.
Cuba has made such great technological advancements in the development of information technology in recent years.
One of the biggest achievements is the creation the CID-201 which is the first Cuban made computer.
As a result of this achievement many doors will open to many people of Cuba.
It is the biggest achievement to date since the 1970s when the roots of information technology began in Cuba.
There are a variety of products being manufactured from Core i3 and i5 computers and Celeron laptops.
The computers come in a couple of different sizes, either ATX (mid tower) or our personal favorite ours, in a most popular micro ATX case.
In addition. there are eight- and ten-inch tablets being produced all of which have been successful completed and tested.
Most of the products were sent to whole sellers, state institutions and organizations affiliated with the state administration.
René Cano Díaz was the Director General of the organization who leads the project.
The whole process, including the installation of the production lines and personnel training for the assembling of the devices, took less than four months.
Furthermore, the project was a collaborated initiative with the company Haier; a Chinese tech company.
Haier provided the Raw materials, technology, know-how, equipment, quality control and the staff training required for the process.
The University of Computer sciences Cuba was also involved. The university developed and supplied the Nova and Nova droid computer applications and operating systems.
These operating systems and computer applications were an essential part of the new equipment.
Cano Diaz also said that 48,000 units of parts and pieces were purchased for manufacturing.
500 manufactured devices a day
Julio A. Rodríguez Fuertes is an engineer and the director of Servimática; One of the seven basic enterprises of the Informatics, Communications and Electronics Industrial Enterprise.
The enterprise was responsible for producing new technology.
With the factory producing up to 500 devices in a day, the total annual production capacity of the enterprise is 120.000 units.
The tablet specs
The ten-inch tablets come with a range of accessories like keyboard, HDMI, USB and mini USB ports.
Training and recruitment
Fernando Fernández, the project leader in regards to the staff recruitment, stated that the training had been conducted over several stages.
The head specialists had to go through a one-month long training course at the Chinese company Haier’s facilities.
However, the technicians for the production processes were trained in the country of Cuba.
There was a rigorous selection process to select the technicians which was conducted by the National software enterprise (Desoft).
The selection process aimed to ensure that a sustainable work routine and a good source of employment to guarantee quality devices.
The devices were to be distributed by the company Copextel which has affiliations with the ministry of communications.
Haier would also be providing replacements part which would be distributed by Copextel according to the three-year agreement between Cuba and the Chinese partner.
Quality tests and maintenance
Measures were taken to ensure the quality of the devices and their functioning.
The factory has a laboratory to certify the components’ durability.
The life of the simple components like laptop hinges, USB ports, touch screens, external control buttons and temperature, salinity and humidity resistances were also extensively tested for quality.
Aims for the initiative
This movement was aimed to bring technological advancements to the country.
Technologically advanced classrooms were also an important aim for this movement.
A Smart classroom would help students learn much more efficiently while also getting them used to the technology.
Studies for potential tech like LED lights with long life and manufacturing of new computers. Hopefully, this project reaches its full potential and leads the country into a brighter future.
Cuba’s Horse Industry Revived with Dutch Warmblood Sales
Cuba’s Horse Industry Revived with Dutch Warmblood Sales
Cuba is known for its cigars and rum, and while the Cuban embargo made the country somewhat isolated for decades, Cuba has made its way into the breeding and training of horses. The equine world has benefitted from relations increasing between Europe, the United States and Cuba.
Cuba’s niche in the equine world is still unfolding, with the country’s equine popularity growing among Latin Americans. Elites from Latin America and around the world are going to Cuba because of the island’s elite jumping horses.
The communist-run country’s government leads the equine industry, and the majority of the proceeds from horses goes back into the government.
Cuban trainers are importing fillies and colts from the Netherlands to train them to be top-tier competitors. The top-tier horses go to private auctions where they sell for as much as $40,000 a horse.
Buyers from Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala and the Netherlands gathered in Cuba for an auction even at the National Equestrian Club. The night’s activities revolved around drinks and enjoying the tropical weather, but the night was all about business.
Horses were paraded in front of the wealthy visitors, with 31 horses selling in a single night.
The horses, all Dutch Warmbloods that were trained in Cuba, sold for over $430,000 that night. Champion or very respected blood lines, advanced training and well-behaved, collectors opt to go to Cuba for their horses.
Since the horses are already in the Americas, it makes horse air transport less expensive for buyers in the Americas to transport horses.
Horses were once well respected and known in Cuba, with the history of the country’s horses dating back to the 16th century. A revival in Cuba’s horse economy was spurred in 2005 as a way to bring in money. Fidel Castro banned horse racing in 1959 causing the industry to suffer despite top-tier horses and riders being in the country.
Cubas are trained for competitive jumping for a year and a half before they’re sold around the age of 3.
Cuba’s Performance in the 2016 Summer Olympics – How to Get Ready for South Korea
The 2018 Winter Olympics will take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea between February 9 and February 25. Olympians are in full training season preparing for the big games that are less than two years away.
Winter Olympics include Skiing, Bobsleigh, Curling, Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, Luge, Snowboarding and several other disciplines.
The games captivate the world, as they do every time they’re in progress.
Cuba was in the spotlight at the 2016 Summer Olympics. The small country won 11 medals in total, and this includes 5 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze metals.
Cuba dominated two sports during the Olympics: wrestling and boxing. The two sports are competitive, but Cuba came out on top with:
- Ismael Borrero and Mijain Lopez winning gold in the men’s wrestling division (59 kg and 130 kg respectively).
- Julio Cesar La Cruz, Robeisy Ramirez and Arlen Lopez walking away with the gold medal in boxing (light heavyweight, bantamweight and middleweight).
Idalys Ortiz’s performance in Judo led her to win the silver medal in the women’s 78+ kg division. The Cuban squad won 6 medals in boxing and 3 in wrestling, with the remaining medals earned in Judo and discus.
Cuba’s rowing competitors qualified four boats. Two of the crews confirmed their spots for the single and double sculls. A top six finish at the 2016 Latin American Continental Qualifications helped Cuba secure one more boat per gender.
The four boats left the 2016 Olympics empty-handed. Angel Fournier was a powerhouse in the single sculls as the top rated rower in the heats and a first-place rank in the quarterfinals. He ranked third in the semis, but Fournier fell short in the end, ranking sixth in the finals.
Cuba failed to qualify in the double sculls and didn’t advance.
Tension between Cuba and South Korea lessened in recent months, with the two countries establishing diplomatic relations in 2016. Trade among the two countries expanded in 2015.
Cuba is a country that has never participated in the Winter Olympics. The lack of presence at the Winter games had made Cuba the most successful Olympic team among nations that never participated in Winter Olympics.
The country first participated in the 1900 Olympics in Paris, winning two gold medals and ranking twelfth in the Summer Games. Cuba’s highest rank in the Summer Olympics was third in 1904 in St. Louis when they won nine medals.
South Korea promises a seamless preparation for the country’s first Olympic hosting. Issues in Rio will not be repeated, according to South Korea.
A great deal of preparation will go into the games.
The lack of a Cuban presence at the Winter Olympics shouldn’t keep fans from watching the games.
Rumors from the International Olympic Committee state that rowing and canoeing events in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo are up for move consideration. The events are facing a proposed move to South Korea. The games may move due to rising costs despite a smaller venue promised.
Teams around the globe are preparing for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Pita Taufatofua, the Taekwondo athlete, plans to represent his country in cross-country skiing at the games.
President Raul Castro Sends Condolences Following Massacre in the United States
Cuban President Raul Castro gave his condolences to the United States following a massacre in Orlando, Florida on Sunday. A statement was provided to a news channel that operates on Cuban State Television.
The statement read, “I reiterate that Cuba rejects and condemns all acts of terrorism.”
Cuban and United States relations have been in turmoil since 1962 when United States President Kennedy signed into law a Cuban embargo. The embargo effectively cut the country of Cuba from the United States.
Efforts to end the embargo reached its heights on March 21, 2016 when United States President Barack Obama and Cuba’s Raul Castro shook hands in Havana. Obama requested that the United States Congress lift the embargo on Cuba after being in place for over 50 years.
Castro’s condolences come at a time when both countries continue to cooperate with each other after over 50 years of strife.
The Orlando, Florida massacre left 49 people dead and over 50 people injured following a shooting at the LGBT nightclub Pulse. The attack came early on Sunday morning before the club was closing for the night.
The attacker, Omar Mateen, was a 29-year old male who was born in New York and grew up in Long Island. The shooter reportedly called 911 before the shooting to pledge his allegiance to the extremist group ISIS. The massacre ended with Mateen exchanging gunfire with officers and members of the SWAT team.
Mateen was of Muslim faith and pledged his alliance to many extremist groups. The shooter reportedly visited the LGBT nightclub often and was considered a regular. Mateen was married with a child. Recent findings point to the shooter using gay dating apps and sending private pictures to men.
Castro’s statement gave condolences to the United States government and the people following the attacks, but he emphasized his condolences to the friends and family of the victims.
Cuba, Vietnam Ministries Boost Transportation Cooperation
Cuba’s construction minister and Vietnam’s transport minister met in Hanoi on June 13 to discuss cooperation on transportation and ways to improve cooperation in the future.
Truong Quang Nghia, Vietnam’s Transport Minister, said that while his country faces economic challenges, it views infrastructure development as a top priority. The country is encouraging investment from all sources, including foreign and private investors, through a public-private partnership or build-operate-transfer arrangement.
Vietnam is in the midst of changing certain mechanisms and participating in multilateral free trade agreements to help attract foreign investment.
Mr. Nghia said the supervisors and advisors of the Dinvai Company, part of Cuba’s ministry, worked well with other projects in Vietnam. However, he noted that the company can improve its performance by updating its understanding of local laws and its professional knowledge.
Cuba’s Construction Minister Rene Mesa Villafana says the Communist Party’s 7th national congress resolution in April calls for more resources to develop infrastructure. The resolution requires the improvement of inter-provincial roads and the building of expressways.
The Construction Minister said Cuba is learning from other countries’ experiences, including Vietnam.
Mr. Villafana expressed Cuba’s wishes to extend its cooperation with Vietnam in transport infrastructure construction, especially now that several Cuban companies are participating in the Southeast Asian country’s transport projects.
During their meeting, both sides agreed to move forward with transport agreements, including those in the aviation and navigation sectors.
Vietnam’s Minister of Construction Pham Hong Ha encouraged Cuba to facilitate a joint venture between the Cuban Geicons Group and the Vietnam Glass and Ceramics for Construction Corporation, or Viglacera.
Mr. Ha called on Mr. Villafana to extend his support of exporting materials from Viglacera to his country. The Minister also expressed his hope that Cuba will initiate cooperation between the two nations. Vietnam is also willing to share its experience with Cuba in the development and management of urban areas, housing, material production and technology.
Panama Welcomes Visit from Cuban Foreign Trade Minister
Cuba’s Foreign Trade Minister, Rodrigo Malmierca, visited Panama on Sunday in a joint meeting. The meeting was welcomed by Panama. Panama’s CCIAP, a committee of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture met with Mr. Malmierca.
Miguel Antonio Pardo, Cuban Ambassador to Panama, announced on Monday that Mr. Malmierca is slated to have meetings through Tuesday with personalities and businessmen in Panama.
Panama and Cuba reinforced their relations last year following a visit to Cuba from Panama’s President Juan Carlos Varela. The visit in 2015 was part of a stimulus effort to jumpstart a commercial exchange between the two countries.
Officials in Panama and Cuba have stated that the cooperation between the two countries will be beneficial and generate opportunities.
Commercial operations between the two countries requires opportunities to expand and diversify in an effort to improve the juridical safety and environment of commercial opportunities.
Panama and Cuba trade primarily in non-original goods. Trades are made through the Free Area of Colon. The two countries aim to boost trade and their potential to increase exports among both countries, according to sources close to the matter.
The signed Protocol allowed for new tariff preferences of Panama goods in Cuba. The new tariff laws include 73 lines, with some items reaching 100%, including butter and palm oil. There is an 80 to 30 percent agreement for goods, such as toilet paper, t-shirts, fiber and other items.
Cuba’s embargo with the United States came to an end this year, allowing the country to extend trade with numerous countries. High debt levels in the country have been used by rich countries as a way to enter into the Cuban market. The United States and Cuba must learn and work together, according to a new report from Mr. Malmierca, which was released earlier in the month.