Stores were authorized to sell dozens of electric goods that were previously banned in the state, including flat-panel televisions and microwaves. "This should have been done long ago. They should never have been banned," said Felipe, a 53-year-old engineer, who lined up impatiently to buy his first DVD player.
Philips and Panasonic DVD players can be found for between $118 and $162, much cheaper than the prices offered by Cuba's thriving black market. However, considering the average wages being about $17 a month in Cuba, many of the new goods on sale were out of reach for most pockets, but even those who can't afford any of the unbanned items are happy that they are now available to citizens.
"The prices are astronomical. But at least I have the choice, and I can save up to buy things I want. People will work harder to buy them," said Gelis, a self-employed tennis coach. Computers are also now unbanned after previously only being permitted to government or foreign companies.
At shops in Havana, Microsoft keyboards and mouses were on show, but Dell computers remained in packages as store owners decide what the prices should be. A saleswoman said that a computer with an Intel Celeron P4 chip, 512MB of RAM and an 80GB HDD will go for about $865. "I have been saving up for three years, since I was 15, and I think I am close to buying one," said Paula, a university student waiting for the new stock to come in.
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Written by: James Delahunty @ 2 Apr 2008 18:58
