Times Change, as Ortega Woos Business Leaders to Help Boost Economy

After meeting with ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro, President Daniel Ortega returned to Nicaragua last week to request ideas from business leaders for improving the country's economy. The now 61-year-old Ortega, who received significant backing and advice from Cuba during the 1980s, called for a range of proposals that would boost employment and end Nicaragua's current energy shortages.

Experts from both the government and private sector will meet over the next two months to discuss five broad categories, including energy, finance, agriculture, tourism, and development along the Atlantic coast. Specific suggestions are to be presented to a new commission headed by Vice President Jaime Morales, who promised to act on any concrete proposals that could build the economy and alleviate poverty.

The direct appeal to the business community is the latest sign that the long-term Sandinista leader has changed from his first term in office, when an Ortega-led government imposed a state-run economy and nationalized thousands of properties.

Despite some criticism of Ortega's recent 15-day trip-which included stops in Cuba, Venezuela and Iran-business leaders say they are "united" with the government in pursuing economic growth to fight poverty. They also commend Ortega for reaching out to oil-rich global markets, which are needed to combat Nicaragua's re-emerging energy crunch.

Ortega, who met with Castro for nearly two hours in Havana, said that the Cuban leader plans to send specially trained technicians to help construct two new 60-watt energy plants, donated by both Cuba and Venezuela. He also said that Iran has promised to deliver some 300 megawatts of energy to Nicaragua.

Ortega also said he would "applaud" the United States and the European Union if they did the same.

Your Latin America Insider,

Suzan Haskins
for International Living

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