HAVANA, Ocotber 29 (Juan Carlos Linares / CubaNet) - The chain of
government-controlled Hard-Currency Stores has lost at least six million dollars
in revenue since September 11, according to the manager of one of the
establishments.
"The situation has become worse since the start of the war in
Afghanistan," he said.
According to the man, the store managers have proposed reducing prices on
slow-moving merchandise, such as clothing, shoes, and some foodstuffs, but the
central authorities have not authorized the measure.
An employee of one of the stores in the Havana municipality of Arroyo
Naranjo, confirmed that sales are lower than they've ever been.
"No one knows how far the peso is going to fall in relation to the
dollar, and that determines whether customers who don't receive dollars from
abroad can buy at the stores," he said.
An employee of one of the Foreign Exchange Houses, in relation to the rising
value of the dollar, said "That, only the higher-ups would know. We only
find out when they call us and order us to quote it higher or lower."
She added that the exchange rate is expected to go up to 27 pesos to the
dollar, from the present 26.
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