Jeff Franks, Reuters

Aug 3 (Reuters) - Cuba is moving along with reforms aimed at boosting its economy, but has also laid out new taxes that angered many and pose a threat to the growth of small businesses critical to the government's economic plans.

The government's hopes for offshore oil development and possible energy independence are in limbo.

ECONOMIC REFORMS

The government said it would loosen its grip on some state companies, convert 222 small and medium-sized state businesses into cooperatives and lease more than 1,000 small cafeterias to their employees, as it has done earlier with barber shops, hair dressers and other minor services.