Prospective Method Supports Economic Planning, Expert Says
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In exclusive statements to Prensa Latina, the Deputy Director of the Ibero-American Foresight Network, Dr. Ibon Zugasti, considered that the use of this analysis tool is fundamental in the planning of public policies in the medium and long terms.
Regarding his participation in the annual scientific conference of the National Institute of Economic Research (INIE), held in the capital Hotel Melia Cohiba, the expert estimated that the application of the prospective method is appropriate taking into account the characteristics of Cuba and evaluating the proposed paths in the national development plans until 2030.
Foresight, the discipline of strategic planning in the medium and long terms, helps to define a series of alternative scenarios and the desirable context on which one must work to achieve a better future, said the researcher member of the exchange program of experts Cuba-European Union.
In fact, he added, it already helps us define and anticipate priorities in two specific sectors: tourism and the agri-food sector.
When dictating the fundamental guidelines for these sectors, in addition to establishing their optimal performance, they are integrated into national development planning without ignoring the set of global challenges, including climate change, demographic changes, scarcity of resources and geopolitics, he added.
In the specific case of tourism, he said, one of the priorities identified is the need to diversify the tourism product and market.
We have identified a series of regulatory variables that allow us to overcome this challenge in issues such as the generation of new products for cruises, the training of human resources, the use of information technologies and communication, as well as the improvement of the tourism infrastructure in which sanitation, energy, and transport are included.
Likewise, the main challenge of the agri-food sector was defined in the need to attract foreign investment that allows modernizing the machinery and automating the processes, which would lead to better productivity.
The specialist also referred to the relevance of applying foresight, given its capacity to anticipate long-term challenges, in favor of territorial development.
The scientific session of the INIE takes place since Tuesday and until Thursday with the participation of 150 delegates mostly from the scientific field.
During its opening day, the attendees debated the necessary policies to enhance Cuban local development and about the characteristics of the domestic economy. /PL