Port-au-Prince mayor clears US$4.7 billion in Chinese investment for the city
ProDominicana to promote local exports and investments
Ministry of Industry and Commerce alerts to decline of exports to GDP
Curacao mission talks trade with the DR
New fish farm begins operations
Paying taxes to be made easier for small businesses
Gasoline and propane gas sales point debate
Easier said than done: Charging Haitians to give birth in DR
Call for identification of the 20,000 missing Dominicans
Tourist police beat Green March activist
Guillermo Moreno criticizes Odebrecht investigation
Another case against Ángel Rondón
Dominican supposed drug dealers arrested off Puerto Rico
Police kill four in Higuey
Three quads die at Reynaldo Almanzar Hospital
DR wins 4 x 400 race at world university games
DR loses to Uruguay in opening of FIBA AmeriCup
Moenia at Hard Rock Live
Tribute to Police
Port-au-Prince mayor clears US$4.7 billion in Chinese investment
The best news of the year for the island of Hispaniola is in a letter dated 25 August 2017. Mayor Ralph Youri Chevry of the capital city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti has sent a letter dated 25 August 2017 to China’s Southwest Municipal Engineering Design and Research Institute agreeing to a major Port-au-Prince Municipal Renovation Project. The scale of the project, reportedly US$4.711 billion, makes this acceptance note major good news for the Dominican Republic, too, because of the economic and social impacts on both countries.
The infrastructure works call for separate projects to be completed within three to five years. These encompass water, drainage and sewage works, improvements for 12 main roads (over 100 kms), environmental protections, drainage and sanitation (garbage collection), a communications network and reconstruction of the old city of Port-au-Prince including the port area, new 2,000MW power central with initial generation capacity for 600MW.
The project also encompasses installation of modern communication systems (itv, Internet, fixed telephone and mobile service), and major security system including surveillance systems, and PDAs and walkie-talkies for the police. A modern hotel is also contemplated as part of the Chinese construction works.
DR1 Forums has also been following the story that is being covered by the HuffPost.
http://www.loophaiti.com/content/voici-comment-les-chinois-veulent-reconstruire-port-au-prince
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry...oject-advances-in_us_59a33cc3e4b0a62d0987b056
http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/162947-The-Light-at-the-End-of-the-Tunnel?
ProDominicana to promote local exports and investments
ProDominicana is the newest entity created to promote exports and attract direct foreign investment. The new entity will operate under the governmental Center for Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD).
“ProDominicana provides an excellent opportunity for the Dominican economy to fully integrate into the global market and take a giant leap ahead in exports and investment,” said Luis Henry Molina, executive director of CEI-RD. Molina said that the new entity is following in the footsteps of the best practices for export promotion in the region, such as PromPerú or ProChile and the export agencies in Mexico, Colombia and other countries.
It is not only a new brand or a change of name, it is about creating a specialized agency to back exporters and attract investment, he explained.
The new entity will act as the platform for the implementation of the National Strategy for the Promotion of Exports and Attracting of Investments being prepared by the CEI-RD technicians.
These efforts include a new service catalogue that includes market intelligence and trade and investment promotion, how to export training, and assistance to small business with export potential and promotion of productive linkages, among others.
“As of now, the producers who want to export and investors who want to establish themselves in the country will have in ProDominicana a strategic ally that will offer the services they need, both for doing business in the country as well as for positioning in global markets,” said Molina.
http://www.7dias.com.do/economia/20...atraer-inversion-extranjera-directa-pais.html
Ministry of Industry and Commerce alerts to decline of exports to GDP
Experts from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Small Business (MICM) have stressed the need to adopt strategic mechanisms for increased exports, given the decline of the participation of Dominican exports in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Ministry is organizing the III Industry Congress to be held at the end of the year, as an institutional planning effort to consolidate government efforts by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Center for Exports and Investment (CEI-RD), ProIndustria, the National Council of Export Free Zones, among others.
In the recent presentation, “Tell Me What You Produce, How And I Will Tell You If You Sell It,” Juan T. Monegro, deputy minister of industrial development and Miguel Palmers, sectorial specialist explained that in the past 25 years the Dominican economy has enjoyed extraordinary growth of on average 5.5%, beyond the regional average of 2.8%. During this period, while the GDP increased six fold, exports only tripled. In the case of the free zones, from a peak participation in 2003 of 21% of GDP, free zone exports today only represent 7.7% of GDP in 2016.
Monegro and Palmers say that in the Dominican Republic, industry has only a third participation in the growth, where most of this is construction and to a lesser extent manufacturing for the local market. The experts called for changes in the production system to favor value aggregation and that production be better linked to global value chains.
The study concludes that to advance in the right direction more and better public policies oriented to the development of productive capacities are needed along with logistics and trade facilitation for increased exports. The specialists consider the strategy can and should be more precise within a public-private dialogue focused on how to stimulate manufacturing in the country, including agro-industrial development.
This week, the Medina administration announced the start of the ProDominicana entity, under the CEI-RD to back exporters and attract increased investment.
https://www.mic.gob.do/noticias/exp...ra-reforzar-el-desempeno-de-las-exportaciones
Curacao mission talks trade with the DR
Minister for Economic Development from Curacao, Steven Martina, arrived in the country yesterday Monday, 28 August 2017, heading trade mission. The group will be in the Dominican Republic until 31 August, looking into ways to improve commerce, investment and business opportunities between the two countries.
The mission to the country is in coordination with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in the country and the Embassy of the Netherlands and is made up of 18 institutions and business from Curacao.
On Tuesday, 29 August 2017, the mission participating in the seminar "Business Opportunities with Curaçao" to be held in the auditorium of the CEI-RD.
According to the president of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, Taiana Mora, Curacao imports US$1 billion of goods each year. Of this, only US$20 million is imported from the Dominican Republic. Mora sees great market opportunities.
Martina will also be meeting with the ministers of Foreign Relations, Industry, Commerce and SMEs, Regional Integration, and Energy and Mines. In addition he will meet with the Director of CEI-RD, the director of the Port Authority and of the Free Zone board. On Martina’s agenda is a visit to the SMEs Center of UNPHU, accompanied by Dominican Deputy Minister for SMEs, Ignacio Méndez.
The mission is visiting at a time the Medina administration has announced new efforts to increase trade with the Caribbean.
Minister Martina also stated that the mission's main objective is “to advance relations between the two countries and to continue to identify opportunities that boost business in multiple sectors.” He noted that Curaçao is an interesting hub for access to the South Caribbean and even the European Union.
The Curaçao Tourism Agency will also make a presentation to the country's travel offices on interesting offers, in a meeting organized jointly with the PAWA Dominicana airline.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...s-negocios-con-republica-dominicana-YF8016212
http://www.7dias.com.do/economia/20...ercio-inversion-con-republica-dominicana.html
New fish farm begins operations
Turkish seafood company Kilic Deniz, one of the world’s biggest producers of bream and bass, has begun production at a major aqua farm operation in the Dominican Republic. The first export of fish juveniles to North and South American markets are scheduled for 2018.
Kilic Deniz Products' Deputy President of the Board İhsan Bozan has said the company already exports Mediterranean fish to the US market. However, “in order to sell more to the U.S. market, we chose the Dominican Republic because of its transportation advantages and suitability for growing Mediterranean fish.”
He added, “We would like to carry our knowledge and experience in aquaculture there and reproduce local species as well.”
https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/...rm-in-dominican-republic-aiming-for-us-market
Paying taxes to be made easier for small businesses
According to the director of the Tax Agency (DGII), Magín Díaz, starting in January 2018, the Simplified Procedure for Taxation will be relaunched so that more small and medium sized contributors can file taxes taking advantage of more simplified procedures.
He said that the Simplified Procedure for Taxation has been in existence for several years but has not been very successful in attracting small businesses. The procedure allows for the paying of the ITBIS only two or three times a year rather than every month, depending on the company’s classification. In addition there is no need for an accountant to do the calculations nor is tax payable on the shares.
He added that despite these benefits less than 10,000 companies are using the system when thousands more qualify to use it. The further simplification seeks to attract a greater number of smaller companies that at present are not meeting their fiscal responsibilities due to the complex nature of the current process.
Diaz explained that they are now working towards a totally online taxation system, and it should be a reality within two years. The complete online procedures will start with the large companies.
He said that the goal for 2017 is to collect RD$384 billion in taxes by the end of the year. Díaz, observed that ITBIS tax evasion continues to be a major challenge. He said that they were looking to reduce delinquent tax losses from 32% to 30%. Annual tax evasion is calculated at RD$2 billion.
http://eldia.com.do/la-dgii-relanzara-en-enero-proceso-que-simplificara-pago-impuestos/
Gasoline and propane gas sales point debate
Next, Sunix and Nativa brands have paid full page advertisements in the free dailies to campaign against competing business groups that want the government to allow single fuel stations to sell mixes of diesel, gasoline and propane. In the Dominican Republic propane is sold separately.
Next, Sunix and Native argue that the selling of propane from the gasoline and diesel stations would endanger the communities where these are located.
The National Association of Gasoline Retailers (Anadegas) has announced its intention to sell propane gas in their affiliated gas stations arguing that Fuel Market Law 407 -72 allows this. Sandra Watley, president of Anadegas, says that in the United States propane, diesel and gasoline are sold by the same gas stations.
Likewise, Antonio Marte, of the powerful Conatra passenger transporting association, backs the unification of the fuel stations.
Patricia Bobea, executive director for the Dominican Association of Foreign Investment Companies (ASIEX) said that the organization that represents the largest foreign investors in the Dominican Republic backs the initiative for the sale of propane at the gas and diesel fueling stations.
http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/201...r-vender-peligroso-glp-sus-instalaciones.html
http://www.listindiario.com/economi...marte-favorece-que-las-gasolineras-vendan-glp
http://eldia.com.do/asiex-apoya-la-venta-de-glp-en-estaciones-de-combustibles/
Easier said than done: Charging Haitians to give birth
Administrative Minister of the Presidency José Ramón Peralta said the government has plans to start charging foreigners that visit public hospitals to give birth. The announcement comes at a time when the number of Haitians coming to give birth at Dominican hospitals is on the rise.
Public hospitals on the border reportedly serve more women from Haiti than from the Dominican Republic. Birthing tourism cartels sell the service in Haiti, dropping the women off at the different hospitals on their route. Former consul of Haiti in the Dominican Republic, Edwin Paraison, told El Dia newspaper that the groups that organize the birthing tours charge RD$3,000 for the transfer to the public hospitals.
Peralta says in all other countries around the world foreigners pay for the service, including Haiti itself where they have to pay to give birth at a public hospital, as reported in El Dia. Peralta, nevertheless, did not say how this could be enforced in the case of indigent Haitian women that arrive in labor to the emergency rooms of Dominican public hospitals.
A story in El Dia, says that Haitian doctors in Haiti refer their patients to Dominican public hospitals on the border (mainly the Elio Fiallo in Pedernales and General Malenciano in Jimaní) as if these were extensions of the Haitian public health system. Socrates Mancebo, director of the Elio Fiallo Public Hospital in Pedernales said that the women arrive every day, without their medical files, only referred by the Haitian physicians in Creole. Esperanza Cuaba, director of the General Malenciano Public Hospital in Jimaní said they have hired staff to help translate from Creole to assist the Haitian women that come to give birth. She said of 20 births assisted at the hospital so far this month, 16 have been to Haitian women.
http://eldia.com.do/hospitales-reci...ridas-desde-haiti-hacia-republica-dominicana/
Call for identification of the 20,000 missing Dominicans
Following a commemorative march on Saturday, 26 August 2017 in Parque Colon in the Colonial City, social organizations are calling for a governmental truth commission to compile a list of the supposed 20,000 Dominicans who are reported as victims of state disappearances.
The Memorial Museum of the Dominican Resistance organized the march to honor the memory of over 20,000 Dominicans said to have forcibly disappeared during both Rafael Trujillo's dictatorship and the administration of Joaquin Balaguer.
According to Luisa de Peña Díaz, director general for the Museum, they were trying to keep the memory alive of those who disappeared and they are now demanding the government account for the host of missing family members and create a truth commission. “We demand a real and official listing of people who were victims of state terrorism in the 20th century,” she said.
The event took place ahead of the International Day of Victims of Forced Disappearances on 30 August, which was first initiated by the United Nations in 2010 after requests were made by the Latin American Federation of Relatives of the Detained-Disappeared.
The Dominican Republic’s forced disappearances happened between the years 1930-1960 and 1966-1978.
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/ne...ion-on-Past-Disappearances-20170827-0013.html
Tourist police beat Green March activist
Four agents of the Specialized Tourist Security Corps (CESTUR) have allegedly dished out a harsh beating to a community leader and social movement activist of the Green March movement in Sosua followed by imprisoning her for three days. The victim was Yulendy Burgos, who is the president of the organization Quisqueyanas Valientes de Sosúa and also a member of the Human Rights Committee as well as a leader of the Popular Front (FALPO).
Apparently she tried to stand up for a woman, presumably a prostitute, who was being mistreated by CESTUR in Pedro Clisante Street in Sosua and was being kicked and slapped. As her breasts were exposed, Burgos asked the police to help her to cover the woman up and the police then turned on her.
The North regional inspector of the CESTUR, Colonel Ignacio Peña Grullón, said on social media that the agents allegedly were reacting in response to Burgos having assaulted one of officers. Several witnesses denied the CESTUR’s story.
FALPO has denounced the assault and asked for an investigation.
http://puertoplatadigital.com/verNoticia.aspx?Id=25278
Guillermo Moreno criticizes Odebrecht investigation
Guillermo Moreno, the president of the Alianza País political party, says what Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez has done is but a farce of an investigation into the Odebrecht bribes scandal, in which the company admitted to paying US$192 million in bribes to secure contract work in the Dominican Republic.
On Wednesday, 23 August 2017, Moreno presented to the Attorney General Office (PGR) a legal recourse requesting the expansion of the Odebrecht investigation. The PGR has until 7 February 2018 to prepare the incriminatory case.
Moreno says so far all the Attorney General has done is to accept as the truth the confessions made by the executives of Odebrecht in the file received from the Brazilian prosecutors. “We say no, that is not a fact, we don’t have reason to simply believe the words of Odebrecht.
More so, in the places where the prosecutors or the public ministry have investigated, it has been proven that Odebrecht aside from being corrupt, in addition to criminal practices, is also a liar,” said Moreno, speaking on the program La Super 7 en la Mañana on 107.7 FM. He mentioned the case of Colombia where Odebrecht said it had bribes officers with US$11 million, but state prosecutors determined more than US$46 million had been paid. Or that of Peru, where the multinational confessed to paying US$29 million in bribes, but state investigation proved it was more than US$40 million.
On the talk show that the attorney general had left out many persons that should be investigated. Moreno said that the prosecutors need to investigate President Danilo Medina and former Presidents Leonel Fernandez and Hipolito Mejia. He criticized that the Minister of Public Works Gonzalo Castillo, who contracted several of the works, and the executive vice president of the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE) Ruben Jimenez Bichara, who awarded the construction of the Punta Catalina Thermoelectric.
He also criticized that the president of the Senate, Reinaldo Pared Pérez, former president of the Senate, Cristina Lizardo, and former president of the Chamber of Deputies, during whose terms most of the Odebrecht public works were approved by Congress have not been included.
“In the case of Reinaldo Pared, he was the one who told the legislators what to do, then the investigation cannot be complete if he is not included. He also criticized the excluding of the former ministers of Hacienda Daniel Toribio, Vicente Bengoa and Simón Lizardo from the investigation.
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion...on-de-la-investigacion-de-odebrecht-XE8017909
http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/201...erez-debe-ser-investigado-caso-odebrecht.html
Another case against Ángel Rondón
The National District Prosecution Service presented a complaint against Odebrecht commercial representative in the Dominican Republic Ángel Rondón and Francisco Rodríguez, the former director of the National Water Institute (INDRHI) for supposed extortion and fraud. Lawyers Plutarco Jáquez and Benita de la Rosa filed the complaint representing Félix Radhamés Batista Matos, who alleges he has been the victim of fraud of RD$5 million by the two accused.
His lawyer said that he signed a contract in 2006 with Indrhi and of the RD$9 million he was owed, Ángel Rondón and Francisco Rodríguez promised to pay him. However they only paid two million pesos each and kept RD$5 million for themselves.
Ángel Rondón is in pre-trial custody at Najayo Jail accused in the Odebrecht bribe case.
http://elcaribe.com.do/2017/08/28/se-querellan-angel-rondon-francisco-rodriguez-extorsion/
Dominican supposed drug dealers arrested off Puerto Rico
The United States Coast Guard says four Dominican Republic nationals were arrested when they were intercepted by the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier in the Mona Passage waters off Puerto Rico.
On Friday, 25 August 2017, the Coast Guard said the crew of a Coast Guard maritime patrol aircraft detected a suspicious vessel traveling towards Puerto Rico from the Dominican Republic, about 38 nautical miles west of Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Juan diverted the Joseph Napier to interdict the suspect vessel that failed to stop and performed aggressive maneuvers to avoid interception.
During the pursuit, the Coast Guard said the Joseph Napier boarding team members observed the suspects jettisoning objects overboard, and one of the suspects brandishing a knife at them.
The coast guard then disabled the vessel’s engines by shooting them, boarded the boat and arrested the suspected smugglers.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/late...d_of_drug_smuggling_in_Cbean_Sea?profile=1228
Police kill four in Higuey
Four supposed attackers who were being sought by members of the National Police were all shot to death by the police in Higuey on Sunday, 27 August 2017.
The victims were Jairon Mieses, alias Lairon, as well as the so called Maiki and El Tro, and one other who is so far unnamed.
They were being sought accused of being involved in the murder of several police officers around the country and according to some versions when confronted with the police a shootout ensued.
One of them supposedly was shot in a cemetery, another two in the Los Rosales neighborhood and the final one in the center of Higuey.
http://listindiario.com/la-republica/2017/08/28/480032/pn-mata-4-supuestos-asesinos-de-policias
Three quads die at Reynaldo Almanzar Hospital
Three of the four quadruplets who were born in the Reynaldo Almanzar Hospital in Santo Domingo province have died while the fourth baby is critical condition.
Hospital director, Rafael Draper, explained that the babies’ mother, Eloida Santos, was already in labor when she arrived at the hospital, but the babies were only 25 to 26 weeks old and they were unable to prevent the labor from continuing.
Santos, aged 20, traveled from San José de Ocoa to Santo Domingo, a 125-kilometer distance, as no private clinics nor public hospital in the area had the facilities to attend to multiple births.
http://eldia.com.do/fallecen-tres-de-los-cuatrillizos-nacieron-en-hospital-reynaldo-almanzar/
DR wins 4 x 400 race at world university games
The Dominican Republic won the 4 x 400 athletics race clocking in at 3:04.34 with the relay made up by brothers Luguelin (silver in the 2012 Olympic Games) and Juander Santos, and Luis Charles and Andito Charles. The USA team was second with 3:06.68 and Czech Republic men were third with 3:08.14. Previously, Luguelin Santos had won the 400 meters dash and Juander Santos had won the 400 meters hurdles.
Earlier, Dominican gymnast, Audrys Nin Reyes, won the gold medal in the Artistic Gymnastics vault competition.
Silver medals were won in weightlifting by Beatriz Pirón in 48 kilograms, and Luis Garcia, in 56 kilograms.
The Dominican Republic placed 14th in the 29th World Summer Universiade that this year took place in Taipei, Taiwan. The Summer Universiade is organized every two years by the International University Sports Federation. The Summer Universiade consists of 14 compulsory sports and up to 3 optional sports chosen by the host country.
http://www.fisu.net/results/summer-universiade/29th-summer-universiade-taipei-city-2017-main-results
http://eldia.com.do/hermanos-luguelin-y-juander-santos-este-es-el-inicio-de-algo-grande/
DR loses to Uruguay in opening of FIBA AmeriCup
The Dominican Republic national basketball team lost to Uruguay 66-57 in the opening of the FIBA AmeriCup taking place in Montevideo, Uruguay. The DR is playing in Group C of the Group Phase of the tournament from 28-30 August 2017. The DR is competing against the US, Panama and hosts Uruguay. The winner of the qualifying group will qualify for the FIBA AmeriCup Final Four in Cordoba, Argentina.
The 12-player roster for the Dominican Republic is under coach Melvyn López and is made up by Jonathan Araujo, Juan Coronado, Adris de León, Victor Liz, Agnel Delgado, Rigoberto Mendoza, Angel Núñez, Dagoberto Peña, Sadiel Rojas, Edward Santana, Gelvis Solano, Juan Miguel Suero. Of these, Juan Coronado, Victor Liz and Edward Santana were on the Dominican team that made Round of 16 at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The next game will be against Panama on 29 August 2017 at 5pm, then against the USA on 30 August.
http://www.fiba.basketball/americup/2017/2808/Dominican-Republic-Uruguay
Moenia at Hard Rock Live
Moenia’s Fantom Tour 2017 is set for a 1 September 2017 performance at the Hard Rock Live of Blue Mall. Moenia is known for its electronic music in Spanish. The group is also known for their synthpop/ambient music. Wikipedia explains that Mœnia is regarded as one of the first successful experimental Mexican music composers and performers, finding commercial viability in a market normally dominated by Latin ballad crooners, teenage vocal groups and musical styles with more mass appeal like cumbia and ranchera.
Tickets for sale at Uepa Tickets with prices from RD$2,200 to RD$4,600.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnsr3bSBITM
Tribute to Police
Hard Rock Life presents on 7 September 2017, a tribute to the legendary British band, The Police. Roger Zayas, Hector Anibal, Tony Almont, Luis Armando Rivera and violinist Militza Iankova will be singing their songs as of 10pm at Hard Rock Live at Blue Mall. Tickets for sale at Uepa Tickest ranging from RD$700 and RD$1,500.
ProDominicana to promote local exports and investments
Ministry of Industry and Commerce alerts to decline of exports to GDP
Curacao mission talks trade with the DR
New fish farm begins operations
Paying taxes to be made easier for small businesses
Gasoline and propane gas sales point debate
Easier said than done: Charging Haitians to give birth in DR
Call for identification of the 20,000 missing Dominicans
Tourist police beat Green March activist
Guillermo Moreno criticizes Odebrecht investigation
Another case against Ángel Rondón
Dominican supposed drug dealers arrested off Puerto Rico
Police kill four in Higuey
Three quads die at Reynaldo Almanzar Hospital
DR wins 4 x 400 race at world university games
DR loses to Uruguay in opening of FIBA AmeriCup
Moenia at Hard Rock Live
Tribute to Police
Port-au-Prince mayor clears US$4.7 billion in Chinese investment
The best news of the year for the island of Hispaniola is in a letter dated 25 August 2017. Mayor Ralph Youri Chevry of the capital city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti has sent a letter dated 25 August 2017 to China’s Southwest Municipal Engineering Design and Research Institute agreeing to a major Port-au-Prince Municipal Renovation Project. The scale of the project, reportedly US$4.711 billion, makes this acceptance note major good news for the Dominican Republic, too, because of the economic and social impacts on both countries.
The infrastructure works call for separate projects to be completed within three to five years. These encompass water, drainage and sewage works, improvements for 12 main roads (over 100 kms), environmental protections, drainage and sanitation (garbage collection), a communications network and reconstruction of the old city of Port-au-Prince including the port area, new 2,000MW power central with initial generation capacity for 600MW.
The project also encompasses installation of modern communication systems (itv, Internet, fixed telephone and mobile service), and major security system including surveillance systems, and PDAs and walkie-talkies for the police. A modern hotel is also contemplated as part of the Chinese construction works.
DR1 Forums has also been following the story that is being covered by the HuffPost.
http://www.loophaiti.com/content/voici-comment-les-chinois-veulent-reconstruire-port-au-prince
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry...oject-advances-in_us_59a33cc3e4b0a62d0987b056
http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/162947-The-Light-at-the-End-of-the-Tunnel?
ProDominicana to promote local exports and investments
ProDominicana is the newest entity created to promote exports and attract direct foreign investment. The new entity will operate under the governmental Center for Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD).
“ProDominicana provides an excellent opportunity for the Dominican economy to fully integrate into the global market and take a giant leap ahead in exports and investment,” said Luis Henry Molina, executive director of CEI-RD. Molina said that the new entity is following in the footsteps of the best practices for export promotion in the region, such as PromPerú or ProChile and the export agencies in Mexico, Colombia and other countries.
It is not only a new brand or a change of name, it is about creating a specialized agency to back exporters and attract investment, he explained.
The new entity will act as the platform for the implementation of the National Strategy for the Promotion of Exports and Attracting of Investments being prepared by the CEI-RD technicians.
These efforts include a new service catalogue that includes market intelligence and trade and investment promotion, how to export training, and assistance to small business with export potential and promotion of productive linkages, among others.
“As of now, the producers who want to export and investors who want to establish themselves in the country will have in ProDominicana a strategic ally that will offer the services they need, both for doing business in the country as well as for positioning in global markets,” said Molina.
http://www.7dias.com.do/economia/20...atraer-inversion-extranjera-directa-pais.html
Ministry of Industry and Commerce alerts to decline of exports to GDP
Experts from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Small Business (MICM) have stressed the need to adopt strategic mechanisms for increased exports, given the decline of the participation of Dominican exports in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Ministry is organizing the III Industry Congress to be held at the end of the year, as an institutional planning effort to consolidate government efforts by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Center for Exports and Investment (CEI-RD), ProIndustria, the National Council of Export Free Zones, among others.
In the recent presentation, “Tell Me What You Produce, How And I Will Tell You If You Sell It,” Juan T. Monegro, deputy minister of industrial development and Miguel Palmers, sectorial specialist explained that in the past 25 years the Dominican economy has enjoyed extraordinary growth of on average 5.5%, beyond the regional average of 2.8%. During this period, while the GDP increased six fold, exports only tripled. In the case of the free zones, from a peak participation in 2003 of 21% of GDP, free zone exports today only represent 7.7% of GDP in 2016.
Monegro and Palmers say that in the Dominican Republic, industry has only a third participation in the growth, where most of this is construction and to a lesser extent manufacturing for the local market. The experts called for changes in the production system to favor value aggregation and that production be better linked to global value chains.
The study concludes that to advance in the right direction more and better public policies oriented to the development of productive capacities are needed along with logistics and trade facilitation for increased exports. The specialists consider the strategy can and should be more precise within a public-private dialogue focused on how to stimulate manufacturing in the country, including agro-industrial development.
This week, the Medina administration announced the start of the ProDominicana entity, under the CEI-RD to back exporters and attract increased investment.
https://www.mic.gob.do/noticias/exp...ra-reforzar-el-desempeno-de-las-exportaciones
Curacao mission talks trade with the DR
Minister for Economic Development from Curacao, Steven Martina, arrived in the country yesterday Monday, 28 August 2017, heading trade mission. The group will be in the Dominican Republic until 31 August, looking into ways to improve commerce, investment and business opportunities between the two countries.
The mission to the country is in coordination with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in the country and the Embassy of the Netherlands and is made up of 18 institutions and business from Curacao.
On Tuesday, 29 August 2017, the mission participating in the seminar "Business Opportunities with Curaçao" to be held in the auditorium of the CEI-RD.
According to the president of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, Taiana Mora, Curacao imports US$1 billion of goods each year. Of this, only US$20 million is imported from the Dominican Republic. Mora sees great market opportunities.
Martina will also be meeting with the ministers of Foreign Relations, Industry, Commerce and SMEs, Regional Integration, and Energy and Mines. In addition he will meet with the Director of CEI-RD, the director of the Port Authority and of the Free Zone board. On Martina’s agenda is a visit to the SMEs Center of UNPHU, accompanied by Dominican Deputy Minister for SMEs, Ignacio Méndez.
The mission is visiting at a time the Medina administration has announced new efforts to increase trade with the Caribbean.
Minister Martina also stated that the mission's main objective is “to advance relations between the two countries and to continue to identify opportunities that boost business in multiple sectors.” He noted that Curaçao is an interesting hub for access to the South Caribbean and even the European Union.
The Curaçao Tourism Agency will also make a presentation to the country's travel offices on interesting offers, in a meeting organized jointly with the PAWA Dominicana airline.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...s-negocios-con-republica-dominicana-YF8016212
http://www.7dias.com.do/economia/20...ercio-inversion-con-republica-dominicana.html
New fish farm begins operations
Turkish seafood company Kilic Deniz, one of the world’s biggest producers of bream and bass, has begun production at a major aqua farm operation in the Dominican Republic. The first export of fish juveniles to North and South American markets are scheduled for 2018.
Kilic Deniz Products' Deputy President of the Board İhsan Bozan has said the company already exports Mediterranean fish to the US market. However, “in order to sell more to the U.S. market, we chose the Dominican Republic because of its transportation advantages and suitability for growing Mediterranean fish.”
He added, “We would like to carry our knowledge and experience in aquaculture there and reproduce local species as well.”
https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/...rm-in-dominican-republic-aiming-for-us-market
Paying taxes to be made easier for small businesses
According to the director of the Tax Agency (DGII), Magín Díaz, starting in January 2018, the Simplified Procedure for Taxation will be relaunched so that more small and medium sized contributors can file taxes taking advantage of more simplified procedures.
He said that the Simplified Procedure for Taxation has been in existence for several years but has not been very successful in attracting small businesses. The procedure allows for the paying of the ITBIS only two or three times a year rather than every month, depending on the company’s classification. In addition there is no need for an accountant to do the calculations nor is tax payable on the shares.
He added that despite these benefits less than 10,000 companies are using the system when thousands more qualify to use it. The further simplification seeks to attract a greater number of smaller companies that at present are not meeting their fiscal responsibilities due to the complex nature of the current process.
Diaz explained that they are now working towards a totally online taxation system, and it should be a reality within two years. The complete online procedures will start with the large companies.
He said that the goal for 2017 is to collect RD$384 billion in taxes by the end of the year. Díaz, observed that ITBIS tax evasion continues to be a major challenge. He said that they were looking to reduce delinquent tax losses from 32% to 30%. Annual tax evasion is calculated at RD$2 billion.
http://eldia.com.do/la-dgii-relanzara-en-enero-proceso-que-simplificara-pago-impuestos/
Gasoline and propane gas sales point debate
Next, Sunix and Nativa brands have paid full page advertisements in the free dailies to campaign against competing business groups that want the government to allow single fuel stations to sell mixes of diesel, gasoline and propane. In the Dominican Republic propane is sold separately.
Next, Sunix and Native argue that the selling of propane from the gasoline and diesel stations would endanger the communities where these are located.
The National Association of Gasoline Retailers (Anadegas) has announced its intention to sell propane gas in their affiliated gas stations arguing that Fuel Market Law 407 -72 allows this. Sandra Watley, president of Anadegas, says that in the United States propane, diesel and gasoline are sold by the same gas stations.
Likewise, Antonio Marte, of the powerful Conatra passenger transporting association, backs the unification of the fuel stations.
Patricia Bobea, executive director for the Dominican Association of Foreign Investment Companies (ASIEX) said that the organization that represents the largest foreign investors in the Dominican Republic backs the initiative for the sale of propane at the gas and diesel fueling stations.
http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/201...r-vender-peligroso-glp-sus-instalaciones.html
http://www.listindiario.com/economi...marte-favorece-que-las-gasolineras-vendan-glp
http://eldia.com.do/asiex-apoya-la-venta-de-glp-en-estaciones-de-combustibles/
Easier said than done: Charging Haitians to give birth
Administrative Minister of the Presidency José Ramón Peralta said the government has plans to start charging foreigners that visit public hospitals to give birth. The announcement comes at a time when the number of Haitians coming to give birth at Dominican hospitals is on the rise.
Public hospitals on the border reportedly serve more women from Haiti than from the Dominican Republic. Birthing tourism cartels sell the service in Haiti, dropping the women off at the different hospitals on their route. Former consul of Haiti in the Dominican Republic, Edwin Paraison, told El Dia newspaper that the groups that organize the birthing tours charge RD$3,000 for the transfer to the public hospitals.
Peralta says in all other countries around the world foreigners pay for the service, including Haiti itself where they have to pay to give birth at a public hospital, as reported in El Dia. Peralta, nevertheless, did not say how this could be enforced in the case of indigent Haitian women that arrive in labor to the emergency rooms of Dominican public hospitals.
A story in El Dia, says that Haitian doctors in Haiti refer their patients to Dominican public hospitals on the border (mainly the Elio Fiallo in Pedernales and General Malenciano in Jimaní) as if these were extensions of the Haitian public health system. Socrates Mancebo, director of the Elio Fiallo Public Hospital in Pedernales said that the women arrive every day, without their medical files, only referred by the Haitian physicians in Creole. Esperanza Cuaba, director of the General Malenciano Public Hospital in Jimaní said they have hired staff to help translate from Creole to assist the Haitian women that come to give birth. She said of 20 births assisted at the hospital so far this month, 16 have been to Haitian women.
http://eldia.com.do/hospitales-reci...ridas-desde-haiti-hacia-republica-dominicana/
Call for identification of the 20,000 missing Dominicans
Following a commemorative march on Saturday, 26 August 2017 in Parque Colon in the Colonial City, social organizations are calling for a governmental truth commission to compile a list of the supposed 20,000 Dominicans who are reported as victims of state disappearances.
The Memorial Museum of the Dominican Resistance organized the march to honor the memory of over 20,000 Dominicans said to have forcibly disappeared during both Rafael Trujillo's dictatorship and the administration of Joaquin Balaguer.
According to Luisa de Peña Díaz, director general for the Museum, they were trying to keep the memory alive of those who disappeared and they are now demanding the government account for the host of missing family members and create a truth commission. “We demand a real and official listing of people who were victims of state terrorism in the 20th century,” she said.
The event took place ahead of the International Day of Victims of Forced Disappearances on 30 August, which was first initiated by the United Nations in 2010 after requests were made by the Latin American Federation of Relatives of the Detained-Disappeared.
The Dominican Republic’s forced disappearances happened between the years 1930-1960 and 1966-1978.
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/ne...ion-on-Past-Disappearances-20170827-0013.html
Tourist police beat Green March activist
Four agents of the Specialized Tourist Security Corps (CESTUR) have allegedly dished out a harsh beating to a community leader and social movement activist of the Green March movement in Sosua followed by imprisoning her for three days. The victim was Yulendy Burgos, who is the president of the organization Quisqueyanas Valientes de Sosúa and also a member of the Human Rights Committee as well as a leader of the Popular Front (FALPO).
Apparently she tried to stand up for a woman, presumably a prostitute, who was being mistreated by CESTUR in Pedro Clisante Street in Sosua and was being kicked and slapped. As her breasts were exposed, Burgos asked the police to help her to cover the woman up and the police then turned on her.
The North regional inspector of the CESTUR, Colonel Ignacio Peña Grullón, said on social media that the agents allegedly were reacting in response to Burgos having assaulted one of officers. Several witnesses denied the CESTUR’s story.
FALPO has denounced the assault and asked for an investigation.
http://puertoplatadigital.com/verNoticia.aspx?Id=25278
Guillermo Moreno criticizes Odebrecht investigation
Guillermo Moreno, the president of the Alianza País political party, says what Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez has done is but a farce of an investigation into the Odebrecht bribes scandal, in which the company admitted to paying US$192 million in bribes to secure contract work in the Dominican Republic.
On Wednesday, 23 August 2017, Moreno presented to the Attorney General Office (PGR) a legal recourse requesting the expansion of the Odebrecht investigation. The PGR has until 7 February 2018 to prepare the incriminatory case.
Moreno says so far all the Attorney General has done is to accept as the truth the confessions made by the executives of Odebrecht in the file received from the Brazilian prosecutors. “We say no, that is not a fact, we don’t have reason to simply believe the words of Odebrecht.
More so, in the places where the prosecutors or the public ministry have investigated, it has been proven that Odebrecht aside from being corrupt, in addition to criminal practices, is also a liar,” said Moreno, speaking on the program La Super 7 en la Mañana on 107.7 FM. He mentioned the case of Colombia where Odebrecht said it had bribes officers with US$11 million, but state prosecutors determined more than US$46 million had been paid. Or that of Peru, where the multinational confessed to paying US$29 million in bribes, but state investigation proved it was more than US$40 million.
On the talk show that the attorney general had left out many persons that should be investigated. Moreno said that the prosecutors need to investigate President Danilo Medina and former Presidents Leonel Fernandez and Hipolito Mejia. He criticized that the Minister of Public Works Gonzalo Castillo, who contracted several of the works, and the executive vice president of the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE) Ruben Jimenez Bichara, who awarded the construction of the Punta Catalina Thermoelectric.
He also criticized that the president of the Senate, Reinaldo Pared Pérez, former president of the Senate, Cristina Lizardo, and former president of the Chamber of Deputies, during whose terms most of the Odebrecht public works were approved by Congress have not been included.
“In the case of Reinaldo Pared, he was the one who told the legislators what to do, then the investigation cannot be complete if he is not included. He also criticized the excluding of the former ministers of Hacienda Daniel Toribio, Vicente Bengoa and Simón Lizardo from the investigation.
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion...on-de-la-investigacion-de-odebrecht-XE8017909
http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/201...erez-debe-ser-investigado-caso-odebrecht.html
Another case against Ángel Rondón
The National District Prosecution Service presented a complaint against Odebrecht commercial representative in the Dominican Republic Ángel Rondón and Francisco Rodríguez, the former director of the National Water Institute (INDRHI) for supposed extortion and fraud. Lawyers Plutarco Jáquez and Benita de la Rosa filed the complaint representing Félix Radhamés Batista Matos, who alleges he has been the victim of fraud of RD$5 million by the two accused.
His lawyer said that he signed a contract in 2006 with Indrhi and of the RD$9 million he was owed, Ángel Rondón and Francisco Rodríguez promised to pay him. However they only paid two million pesos each and kept RD$5 million for themselves.
Ángel Rondón is in pre-trial custody at Najayo Jail accused in the Odebrecht bribe case.
http://elcaribe.com.do/2017/08/28/se-querellan-angel-rondon-francisco-rodriguez-extorsion/
Dominican supposed drug dealers arrested off Puerto Rico
The United States Coast Guard says four Dominican Republic nationals were arrested when they were intercepted by the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier in the Mona Passage waters off Puerto Rico.
On Friday, 25 August 2017, the Coast Guard said the crew of a Coast Guard maritime patrol aircraft detected a suspicious vessel traveling towards Puerto Rico from the Dominican Republic, about 38 nautical miles west of Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Juan diverted the Joseph Napier to interdict the suspect vessel that failed to stop and performed aggressive maneuvers to avoid interception.
During the pursuit, the Coast Guard said the Joseph Napier boarding team members observed the suspects jettisoning objects overboard, and one of the suspects brandishing a knife at them.
The coast guard then disabled the vessel’s engines by shooting them, boarded the boat and arrested the suspected smugglers.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/late...d_of_drug_smuggling_in_Cbean_Sea?profile=1228
Police kill four in Higuey
Four supposed attackers who were being sought by members of the National Police were all shot to death by the police in Higuey on Sunday, 27 August 2017.
The victims were Jairon Mieses, alias Lairon, as well as the so called Maiki and El Tro, and one other who is so far unnamed.
They were being sought accused of being involved in the murder of several police officers around the country and according to some versions when confronted with the police a shootout ensued.
One of them supposedly was shot in a cemetery, another two in the Los Rosales neighborhood and the final one in the center of Higuey.
http://listindiario.com/la-republica/2017/08/28/480032/pn-mata-4-supuestos-asesinos-de-policias
Three quads die at Reynaldo Almanzar Hospital
Three of the four quadruplets who were born in the Reynaldo Almanzar Hospital in Santo Domingo province have died while the fourth baby is critical condition.
Hospital director, Rafael Draper, explained that the babies’ mother, Eloida Santos, was already in labor when she arrived at the hospital, but the babies were only 25 to 26 weeks old and they were unable to prevent the labor from continuing.
Santos, aged 20, traveled from San José de Ocoa to Santo Domingo, a 125-kilometer distance, as no private clinics nor public hospital in the area had the facilities to attend to multiple births.
http://eldia.com.do/fallecen-tres-de-los-cuatrillizos-nacieron-en-hospital-reynaldo-almanzar/
DR wins 4 x 400 race at world university games
The Dominican Republic won the 4 x 400 athletics race clocking in at 3:04.34 with the relay made up by brothers Luguelin (silver in the 2012 Olympic Games) and Juander Santos, and Luis Charles and Andito Charles. The USA team was second with 3:06.68 and Czech Republic men were third with 3:08.14. Previously, Luguelin Santos had won the 400 meters dash and Juander Santos had won the 400 meters hurdles.
Earlier, Dominican gymnast, Audrys Nin Reyes, won the gold medal in the Artistic Gymnastics vault competition.
Silver medals were won in weightlifting by Beatriz Pirón in 48 kilograms, and Luis Garcia, in 56 kilograms.
The Dominican Republic placed 14th in the 29th World Summer Universiade that this year took place in Taipei, Taiwan. The Summer Universiade is organized every two years by the International University Sports Federation. The Summer Universiade consists of 14 compulsory sports and up to 3 optional sports chosen by the host country.
http://www.fisu.net/results/summer-universiade/29th-summer-universiade-taipei-city-2017-main-results
http://eldia.com.do/hermanos-luguelin-y-juander-santos-este-es-el-inicio-de-algo-grande/
DR loses to Uruguay in opening of FIBA AmeriCup
The Dominican Republic national basketball team lost to Uruguay 66-57 in the opening of the FIBA AmeriCup taking place in Montevideo, Uruguay. The DR is playing in Group C of the Group Phase of the tournament from 28-30 August 2017. The DR is competing against the US, Panama and hosts Uruguay. The winner of the qualifying group will qualify for the FIBA AmeriCup Final Four in Cordoba, Argentina.
The 12-player roster for the Dominican Republic is under coach Melvyn López and is made up by Jonathan Araujo, Juan Coronado, Adris de León, Victor Liz, Agnel Delgado, Rigoberto Mendoza, Angel Núñez, Dagoberto Peña, Sadiel Rojas, Edward Santana, Gelvis Solano, Juan Miguel Suero. Of these, Juan Coronado, Victor Liz and Edward Santana were on the Dominican team that made Round of 16 at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The next game will be against Panama on 29 August 2017 at 5pm, then against the USA on 30 August.
http://www.fiba.basketball/americup/2017/2808/Dominican-Republic-Uruguay
Moenia at Hard Rock Live
Moenia’s Fantom Tour 2017 is set for a 1 September 2017 performance at the Hard Rock Live of Blue Mall. Moenia is known for its electronic music in Spanish. The group is also known for their synthpop/ambient music. Wikipedia explains that Mœnia is regarded as one of the first successful experimental Mexican music composers and performers, finding commercial viability in a market normally dominated by Latin ballad crooners, teenage vocal groups and musical styles with more mass appeal like cumbia and ranchera.
Tickets for sale at Uepa Tickets with prices from RD$2,200 to RD$4,600.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnsr3bSBITM
Tribute to Police
Hard Rock Life presents on 7 September 2017, a tribute to the legendary British band, The Police. Roger Zayas, Hector Anibal, Tony Almont, Luis Armando Rivera and violinist Militza Iankova will be singing their songs as of 10pm at Hard Rock Live at Blue Mall. Tickets for sale at Uepa Tickest ranging from RD$700 and RD$1,500.