The annual work meeting of the Ministry of Communications was held on February 18 in the presence of the President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, and the Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, during which the priorities and work objectives for 2021 were presented.

In accordance with the fulfillment of the goals and objectives of the country's Economic and Social Development Plan until 2030, the Minister of Communications, Jorge Luis Perdomo Di Lella, emphasized that the Ministry is present in the 6 defined Macro-programs, with the participation of the projects: Telecommunications infrastructure and services; digital television; e-Commerce and e-Government; the IT applications and services industry; and cybersecurity as a cross-cutting element.

The objectives and priorities of the work of the Ministry of Communications for 2021 are associated with the implementation of Guideline No. 108 of the Economic and Social Policy, approved during the 7th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party.

The main goals are:
- To increase digital services to the population, with greater affordability and quality.
- To raise the levels of cyberspace security and increase awareness concerning the use of technologies. 
- To continue to generate growth in exports and income to the economy by diversifying services with greater added value.
- To promote innovation and science in the sector for a greater contribution in the field of telecommunications and information and communication technologies.

As for the telecommunications network and Digital Television, the priorities are:
- To expand the cellular telephony access network
- To reach all provinces and municipalities in the country with access to fourth generation technology (4G).
- To widen the mobile data access network for the Internet.
- To add new Nauta Hogar users with the incorporation of 50 thousand services.
- The sale of decoder boxes for digital TV access will be expanded and new digital transmitters will be installed.
- New institutional connectivity links will be installed, prioritizing sectors like Education, Culture, Health, Sports, Tourism, Industry and the main productive centers.

Regarding e-Government and e-Commerce, the priorities are:
To enable new digital services for the population:

- Request of birth certificates
- Request of death certificates
- Request of marriage certificates
- Environmental permit
- Payment of fines
- Land registration
- Construction permit
- Request of an identity card
- Driver’s license
- Change of residence
- Police statement
- On-line payment of water consumption (currently only available at Aguas de La Habana).
- Application for a license to engage in a commercial activity
- Application for social assistance
- Application for vacant government positions
- Vehicle registration
- Application for a VISA to visit the country
- Payment of income tax
- Registration of a commercial activity

It is important to highlight that the computerization of public registries that facilitate the population to request computerized documents will be completed, such as:
- Civil Status
- Last Will and Testament
- Declaration of Heirs
- Sanctioned and Electoral Central
- Property and Real Estate Property Registry and Central Mercantile Registry

Projections for this year include investments in the infrastructure of the digital payment gateways, Transfermóvil and EnZona. In addition, the new platform for balance deposits and payments on cell phones (ETECSA's mobile wallet) will be put into service, as well as the company's virtual store.

The development of the ToDus IT platform will be boosted.

The digital payment of taxpayers will be implemented through the use of digital signatures as of the launching of the new website www.onat.gob.cu.

At the work meeting, it was confirmed that e-Commerce needs to be implemented with greater agility. A specific work system will be established to promote the development of electronic commerce, including performance measurement indicators.
Enabling issues will be resolved, such as the recognition of the digital invoice, both for legal entities and individuals, as well as the payment of legal entities from current accounts, using the Transfermóvil and Enzona platforms; and the improvement in the access and use of the retail platforms of the Caribe and CIMEX stores, including those related to the logistic distribution process.

As for the Strengthening of the Public Enterprises of computer applications and services, the priorities revolve around achieving the use of the new management model approved to strengthen the computer applications and services industry, strengthening the university-company bond and consolidating the established work systems, executing R&D&I projects of business and social interest and implementing what was approved in the improvement of self-employment, which enables licenses to the activity of computer equipment programmer. The Ministry of Communications will follow up on the development and operation of the Science and Technology Parks of Havana and Matanzas for a better use of innovation and productive capacities. Thirteen projects that will provide concrete economic and social solutions have been identified.

The priorities of the Postal Services are aimed at improving the quality of the services provided. For this purpose, priority will be given to modernizing the processing of postal shipments and implementing a system for optimizing routes and tracking the transportation of packages and the distribution of e-commerce.

In the conclusions of the meeting, the Prime Minister made reference to the fact that progress has been made in the computerization of society, but it is necessary to speed up the matters related to electronic commerce. In this regard, the Ministry of Communications must continue to strengthen its leading role and continue to accompany the agencies to identify potentialities to streamline processes for citizens, through digital procedures and services.

He also highlighted the importance of continuing to reduce the silent zones and increase the installation of WIFI technology in communities in mountainous and rural areas. In addition, he stated that gradual solutions must be implemented to shorten postal package delivery times. Finally, he remarked that the communications system has the necessary components and human capital prepared to create value chains, as the use of telecommunications and information and communication technologies is increasingly proving to be a dynamic factor in the economy and have a positive impact on the quality of life of the population.