Cuban National Assembly extends term

Cuba had already delayed municipal elections originally planned for October by a month due to Hurricane Irma, which Economy Minister Ricardo Cabrisas said on Friday had caused damage worth the equivalent of 13.2 billion USD.

The extended NA term also means a two-month delay in the historic transition from Raul Castro to a new president until April. Despites difficulties, Cuba's growth in tourism, transport and communications, agriculture and construction drove a 1.6 percent expansion this year.

Economy Minister Cabrisas also said the government forecast the economy to grow around 2 percent next year.