The government  Cuba is legalising the ownership  small and medium-sized businesses. This represents a monumental shift  policy  the communist-ruled country. State-owned companies have traditionally been the norm  Cuba, following the revolution  1959 that brought Fidel Castro to power. He nationalised Cuba's industries to put them  state hands. The new policy allows entrepreneurs to operate businesses that have  to 100 employees. The change  heart from the government came after a month of street protests. Thousands of Cubans demonstrated against dire economic conditions. People also protested about a lack  food and the handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said he would introduce new initiatives to revitalise his country's economy. Cuba relies  tourism for much  its foreign currency reserves. Global restrictions  travel during the pandemic have severely impacted this sector. Another key industry in Cuba is the production  sugar. Bad weather has resulted  poor harvests and reduced revenues. These events have depleted the government's reserves  foreign currency, which means it has become difficult  the country to import food and medicine. Cuba expert O'Neill Diaz said "many entrepreneurs  the private sector have spent years striving, working and trying to contribute" to Cuba's economic well-being.