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Daily News - 22 March 2001
DR gets access to Mexican soft loan funds
After years of resistance, the Mexican government finally authorized the DR access to a fund of US$130 million, part of the San Jose Agreement. The government of Mexico authorized the borrowing as the funds will be channeled through the Banco de Reservas, Baninter, Banco Popular and BHD, announced Minister of Commerce, Angel Lockward. The fund is made up of credits accumulated at the Banco del Comercio Exterior after years of Mexican oil purchases made by the Dominican Republic. The conditions of the loan were not disclosed. The Mexican government agreed that the banks will guarantee the payment of the loans.
Newspaper highlights contradictions in government focus
In its front page story today, El Siglo newspaper points out the contradiction in the present focus of the government and 2001 economic development realities. Journalist Miguel Febles speculates that President Mejia will find a very different Taiwan than the one he knew from his days as Minister of Agriculture (1978-1982) and during his estimated 20 visits as a private businessman to that country. As in the DR, Taiwan has evolved from a farming nation to one with an economy based on services. The journalist says that six of nine businessmen that will accompany President Mejia are from the farming sector, which reflects a contradiction between what the President envisions for the DR and the present reality.
Taiwan has been promoting its service sector, as did former President Leonel Fernandez (1996-2000). Now President Mejia wants to give priority to the local farming sector whose contribution to the economy has been consistently declining at a time when services have been increasing. Farming contributes 11% to the Gross Domestic Product, while the services sector has soared to 70%.
Journalist Miguel Febles points out that the government in Taiwan has reoriented that island into a center for communications, shipping and telecommunications.
For more information on the trip, see http://www.dr1.com/daily/news032101.shtml
Soldiers not prepared to handle migration pressure
Minister of Foreign Relations Hugo Tolentino Dipp said that the government needs to create a specialized organization to deal with the frontier. He feels the Army is today acting with men that have not been duly trained to deal with the trafficking of illegal migrants. Minister Tolentino has repeatedly stated that this creates a situation where many seek to profit from the Haitian tragedy.
He said that Minister of the Armed Forces Jose Miguel Soto Jimenez is himself aware of the need for a specialized force to police the frontier.
Tolentino said that the mass migration from Haiti will only stop when Haiti develops. On the proactive side, he highlighted the work of the newly created Committee Pro-Fund for Dominican-Haitian Frontier Development that is endeavoring to use Dominican foreign debt payments for development projects.
New governor of Columbus Lighthouse
President Hipolito Mejia appointed anthropologist Elpidio Ortega as the new governor of the Columbus Lighthouse. He replaces historian Ismael Hernandez Flores. Ortega, an engineer by profession, was Minister of Public Works during the government of President Antonio Guzman (PRD 1978-82).
Ministry of Environment closes 60 quarry sites
The Ministry of Environment ordered the closing of 60 unauthorized quarries that mined construction materials at river sites. Minister Frank Moya Pons said an operation is underway to oblige quarry operators to implement responsible mining practices and pay their taxes.
Moya said that the country has lost 60% of its forests. He said to revert the deforestation there has to be a commitment of several governments as it is a process that will take eight to 12 years. He explained his department is preparing a territorial order plan that seeks to protect zones declared of public utility. He also explained that their work will focus on preserving forests at the top of mountains where rivers are born. This same water is also used in aqueducts, for farming irrigation and in reservoirs. "Our forestation policy is one that is taking place where it will not be seen, not at the side of the highways, but where the trees have a role of retaining the water to gradually release this to generate rivers and streams," Moya Pons told El Caribe newspaper following a meeting at the National Palace, the government seat.
Port Authority rules to impose Fenatrado affiliate
The Dominican Port Authority has issued a resolution that grants 50% of the cargo transported by forklift and lift truck operators at ports to a union affiliated to the Federacion Nacional de Transporte Dominicano. The remaining 50% could be handled by members of the Association of Shippers. The resolution was issued in an attempt by the Port Authority to resolve the conflict between the powerful union and the Shipping Association that rejects the measure. The National Council of Business (CONEP) is backing the shippers in the conflict. For more on the issue, see http://www.dr1.com/daily/news032101.shtml
Where's the government accountability?
Hugo Arias Fabian, president of the Chamber of Accounts, the official body entrusted with auditing the government, complained that the big problem with government accountability is that there are no legal mechanisms to oblige anyone to give information on budgets carried out by government entities. The press carried his comments after he explained that his department auditors have been prevented from accessing necessary information at the National Lottery. He said that a major government accounting overhaul is needed so that the Chamber of Accounts can obtain reliable information on the budget exercise.
Seminar Exporting to Canada
David Taylor and Lidia Karamaoun, Canadian experts from the Trade
Facilitation Office of Canada (TFOC) will be conducting a two-day seminar on how to export to Canada on 29-30 March. The TFOC is a non-profit organization that assists exporters from all around the world by providing information on Canadian markets and requirements to export to that country; helps foreign exporters to identify potential representatives or agents for their products in Canada; organizes seminars on how to sell to Canada, investment promotion and trade negotiations; and organizes missions of exporters to visit Canada.
This seminar is jointly organized by the Ministry of Industry and
Commerce of the Dominican Republic, the Dominican Exports Promotion Center (CEDOPEX), the National Council of Foreign Trade (CONACEX) and the National Council of Export Free Zones (CNZFE), with the collaboration of the Canadian Embassy in the Dominican Republic. The seminar will be conducted in Spanish.
For additional information and registration, please contact CEDOPEX at Tel. 530.5505, ext. 246 and 247 or fax 531.0979.
Mining Chamber protests new pension plan
The Chamber of Mining of the Dominican Republic has protested the implementation of Law 374-98 that establishes a pension plan for mining, metalworking and metalmechanical workers. Salvador Brower, president of the organization, said that they have proof that several companies have been visited by inspectors that are attempting to oblige these to pay the half percent on total sales the law establishes. The Chamber rejects the fund pointing to the irregularity that 35% of the funds garnered will be allotted to administering the fund, when other funds that operate in the country only allot 4-12% to this. The Chamber also says that the board in charge of administering the fund presents irregularities as it is presided by the director general of Mining when the law establishes it should be run by a board made up by representatives of workers, businesses and the government.
Furthermore, the National Council of Business, the Association of Metalmechanical and Metalurgical Business reject the operation of the fund now that the nation is pushing for the passing of a National Social Security Bill that should replace this bill. The National Council of Business has urged that Congress incorporate into the text of the Social Security Bill a provision establishing the derogating of all special pension fund laws such as the one affecting mining and metal work companies to avoid double taxation.
Sales down 30% says ONE president
Jean A. Haché, president of the Organización Nacional de Empresas Comerciales (ONE), a business entity that groups large department stores, said that sales are down 30% so far this year, compared to last year. He attributes the slowdown to the economic reform program that has increased taxes and reduced money in circulation. He criticized the new delays in moving merchandise from Customs.
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