The ‘Cuba-EU II Programme’ helps Cuba to digitalise its Official Gazette

As part of the mission of the Cuba-EU II Expert Exchange Programme Steering Committee, programme specialists have visited the facilities of the Official Gazette. The institution is part of the Cuban Ministry of Justice. The visit was designed to give a first-hand look at the new technical and computer equipment being used to drive process computerisation and digitalisation.

The programme, which is managed by FIIAPP and funded by the European Union,, supports the Cuban Ministry of Justice in its computerisation and modernisation strategy for the Official Gazette through several activities. Among them is the restructuring of the Official Gazette, making it easier for citizens to find the legal provisions issued by the Government. The Gazette has actually been digitalised since 2009, but from now on the intention is to digitise all publications since it was founded in 1902.

At the same time, a website has been developed with updated services that make it easier for users to search for and locate regulatory information, distinguishing between current regulations and those which have been repealed. Regarding internal management of work and human resources, the Official Gazette is in the process of computerising all its processes. Work is being done on electronic document submission and the digitalisation and electronic publication of all the country’s regulations, which will provide greater legal certainty and transparency.

All these improvements are coupled with an increase in office staff from 13 people to 35 people, which will give the institution increasingly greater weight within the Ministry of Justice. The creation of a Citizen Service Office is in the pipeline to offer a better service.

The visitors included the director of the Official Gazette, Daisy Miriam González, and Anabel Castro, international cooperation specialist of the Ministry of Cuba, in addition technicians from the programme managed by FIIAPP.