DR1 Daily News - Thursday, 17 August 2017

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DR1 Daily News next update on Monday
Government to deliver 300+ projects
New US charge d’affaires highlights US-DR agenda
Hoteliers and investors from Taiwan visit Mitur
Adozona disagrees with changes to long weekend law
Poverty down 10.5 points over last five years
IMF circulates DR 2016 Country Report
New head of Deputies promises sessions in provinces
Migration Agency seizes PNRE cards for irregular use
Video circulates showing speed races in Las Americas Expressway tunnel
Green March Movement in Moca
WEForum: Corruption is most problematic factor for doing business in DR
Direct flight connections guarantee fresher fruit exports
Revised forecasts point to stormy 2017
See Victor Estrella play tennis
Santiago wins national basketball tournament



DR1 Daily News next update on Monday
The next DR1 Daily News update will be published on Monday, 21 August 2017. Headline news for the previous Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be compiled for that Monday issue. Breaking news can be followed 24/7 in the Forums. Enjoy the last days of the summer vacations. See the Forum at http://www.dr1.com


Government to deliver 300+ projects
Minister of Public Works Gonzalo Castillo announced that the government will celebrate the first year of the second term of President Danilo Medina by delivering some 322 projects completed at a cost of RD$22 billion.

Castillo noted that there were some special projects underway by his ministry including the highway from Padre de las Casa to Bohechio that is almost finished, as well as the connection between Padre de las Casas and Guayabal, Azua and Barahona. In San Juan de la Maguana, the ministry is building a bypass around the south of the city, as well as 800 apartment units in the area known as Mesopotamia.

Castillo highlighted as a major achievement of the Ministry of Public Works the important service provided by road patrols. He said these have answered more than 350,000 calls for assistance on the nation’s highways since the service began four years ago. These calls included the need for tire repairs, mobile workshops and even ambulances. The service has benefited more than 1.4 million Dominicans and foreigners. The service is available 24 hours a day.

To corroborate the service, recently newspapers took the spotlight in reporting the opinion of Hall of Fame baseball player Pedro Martinez when his call for help produced excellent assistance to help him on his way.
http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/201...-obras-tuvieron-coste-000-millones-pesos.html


New US charge d’affaires highlights US-DR agenda
Newly arrived US charge d’affaires of the US Embassy Robert Copley says the United States backs the Dominican commitment to independence, democracy and respect for human rights. Copley, who now heads the US mission in the Dominican Republic, made the remarks during his official presentation to Dominican government officers, diplomatic colleagues and the press during an event on 15 August 2017 at the US Embassy.
Copley said the United States seeks to collaborate with the development of the Dominican Republic, assisting in security, energy, education and health problems.

Copley mentioned that in his first four weeks in the country he has visited Salcedo, where the Casa Museo Hermanas Mirabal honors the Trujillo regime heroines, and the Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración, in Santiago that honors the independence from Spain, both monuments that he pointed out are evidence of the historic and constant commitment of Dominicans to the nation.

He said that Dominicans coincide with the goals of the Trump administration of: nationalism first and then solidarity.

In his speech in Spanish, Copley concluded: “I want to assure you that in me you have a party interested in maintaining good communication and one who is always willing to listen and learn. Finally, I would like to underline that all of us meeting here, have something in common: We have the same desire to watch for the well being of this country. We all want to see a prosperous Dominican Republic and in peace.”

Copley began his service in the Dominican Republic on 21 July 2017. He is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, having joined the US Department of State in 1998. In his last assignment with the US Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, he served as deputy director for the counter-narcotics program. He has previously served in Saudi Arabia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Iraq. In Washington, Copley’s assignments have included the Operations Center, Political/Military Affairs Bureau, and the US mission to the Organization of American States.
A Colorado native, Copley holds degrees from Colorado State University, Georgetown University, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Copley served 8 years with the US Marine Corps. He and his wife Yanira have two adult children.

Copley replaces Patrick Dunn, who had served as acting ambassador following the departure of US Ambassador James (Wally) Brewster, a political appointee, at the start of the Trump Administration on 20 January 2017. Brewster’s replacement has not been announced.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...sta-comprometido-con-la-democracia-dominicana
http://eldia.com.do/la-presentacion-de-copley/
https://do.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/


Hoteliers and investors from Taiwan visit Mitur
A group of investors, tour operators and hotel management from Taiwan last week visited the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) to explore new investment opportunities in the Dominican Republic in advance of any increase flow of tourists from the Republic of Taiwan.

According to a press release, the 31-member Taiwan mission was headed by the Ambassador of Taiwan to the Dominican Republic, Valentino Ji-zen Tang, who was accompanied by Kevin Tsay, the president of the Taiwan Hotel & Motel Association of North America.

In a meeting with the officials from Mitur, Ambassador Tang said that the investors and other members of the mission had traveled to different areas of the country and were impressed by the beauty and hospitality of the Dominicans.

The ambassador also heaped diplomatic praise on Minister Francisco Javier Garcia and the Dominican government. Fausto Fernandez, the deputy minister of tourism, thanked the government of Taiwan for their support for Dominican tourism.

https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...an-visitan-el-ministerio-de-turismo-fx7918887


Adozona disagrees with changes to long weekend law
The Dominican Free Zone Association (Adozona) announced its opposition to changing Law 139-97 that rotates public holidays creating long weekends. Manuel Torres, executive vice president of Adozona, said when public holidays fall within the week they interrupt the flow of work more than moving them to create the long weekends. He said the law as it is is convenient for family life and thus for worker productivity.

On 25 July 2017, the Chamber of Deputies approved a legislative proposal that would modify articles 2 and 4 of Law 139-97 so that holidays between Tuesday and Friday are not moved. The bill now needs to be reviewed in the Senate.

The changes approved by the deputies are that the public holidays that cannot be moved are:
Three Kings Day (6 January), Labor Day (1 May), Constitution Day (6 November), Juan Pablo Duarte Day (26 January), Independence Day (27 February), Restoration Day (16 August). Also the religious holidays of: Altagracia Day (21 January), Mercedes Day (24 September), and Christmas Day (25 December).

https://diariodigital.com.do/2017/0...an-no-mover-celebracion-dias-patrioticos.html
http://www.cdn.com.do/2017/08/16/ad...dustriales-frente-proyecto-ley-dias-feriados/
http://ojd.org.do/Normativas/LABORAL/Leyes/Ley No. 139-97.pdf


Poverty down 10.5 points over last five years
According to the National Statistics Office (ONE) the index of general poverty fell from 41% in 2012 to 30.5% in 2016, a reduction of 10.5 points over the last five years. Alexandra Izquierdo, the director of ONE, said that in the case of extreme poverty, this too fell from 10.5% in 2012 to 6.5% in 2016.

She told reporters from the Diario Libre: “In absolute terms, the previous numbers translate to 3,213,740 persons who were found to be living in conditions of poverty in 2016, a reduction of 900,354 persons from the 2012 numbers of 4,114,093 poor.”

Added to these numbers relating to poverty levels, the ONE director also noted that over the last five years an average of 5.7 million persons have entered the country through the different airports and that this year, 2017, the first half year showed numbers above 3.5 million persons visiting the country. A recent ONE statistical report shows the tourism income increase from US$4.7 billion in 2012 to US$6.7 billion in 2016 and that hotel occupancy rates have increased from 70.3% in 2012 to 78% in 2016.

Izquierdo also noted the growth of the population affiliated to the Family Health Insurance, which has grown from 4.9 million in 2012 to 6.9 million in 2016, of which 48.2% is subsidized and 51.8% belong to the system of salary deductions.

An interesting set of figures from this latest report from the National Statistical Office is the fact that the latest survey of homes (2015) revealed that women represent 59.6% of the population of 15 years or older and 63.6% of the total number who achieve a college education or higher.

https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...ice-oficina-nacional-de-estadistica-EY7919420


IMF circulates DR 2016 Country Report
The International Monetary Fund is circulating a summary of the March 2017 economic consultation with the government. The IMF remarks that the economy continues to grow rapidly, buoyed by low energy prices, strengthening labor markets, dynamic investment and the economic recovery in the United States.

In addition, lower oil prices have balanced the effects of strong domestic demand on inflation and the strengthened external account of the country. Inflation averaged 1.75% and real GDP expanded 6.6% in 2016. The public debt was at an estimated 49.7% of GDP by end-year.

The IMF concludes that the outlook is favorable: “The pace of expansion -- which averaged around 7 percent over the past three years -- is tapering off towards potential, inflation is set to increase to target as commodity prices recover, and a healthy financial sector is well poised to support growth.”

http://www.imf.org/en/Publications/...t-and-Statement-by-45186?cid=em-COM-123-35774


New head of Deputies promises sessions in provinces
As he was sworn in on 15 August 2017, the new president of the Chamber of Deputies, Ruben Maldonado, said that he would carry out a work schedule that was “open, transparent and participative,” and would focus on establishing much stronger ties between civil society and the legislative body. Maldonado will serve a year as president of the Chamber of Deputies, as agreed by the upper echelons of the ruling PLD political party that instructed the party members to vote in favor of Maldonado.

Maldonado, who received the helm from Lucia Medina, sister of President Danilo Medina, also promised to promote the approval important laws that are needed to strengthen the State of Law in this country. As he outlined the activities that he helped to develop, the new head of the Chamber of Deputies, said that they would hold working sessions not only in the National Congress, but also in the National District and in each one of the provinces to hear directly of the needs and priorities of these communities.

Maldonado also promised to develop something that he called “the Legislative Forum for Development,” which he says will try to improve the work of each one of the deputies to strengthen their ties with their communities. He emphasized the priority that he would give to strengthen both the Constitution of the Republic as well as the Law for Strategic Development 2030.

The PLD senators also voted that Reinaldo Pared Pérez (PLD-National District) continue to preside the Senate. This is the 10th time he is elected in the position.


Migration Agency seizes PNRE cards for irregular use
The Migration Agency (DGM) announced it has seized 142 authentic National Foreigner Status Legalization Plan (PNRE) cards that were held by persons other than those who they had been issued for. The DGM also seized several cards that have been forged in actions taken from July to the first week of August 2017. The director general of the DGM, Lieutenant General Máximo William Muñoz Delgado said that operations resulted in seizing of five Dominican IDs (cedulas) used by others, 29 Haitian passports with irregularities running from expired dates, forged visas and other alterations.

The DGM reports that the PNRE temporary residency cards that were irregularly being used have been cancelled and the original owner is subject to deportation.

http://eldia.com.do/migracion-decomisa-carnes-del-plan-nacional-de-regularizacion-de-extranjeros/


Video circulates showing speed races in Las Americas Expressway tunnel
Social media is sharing videos on motorcycle speed races within the Las Americas Expressway tunnel in Santo Domingo. The Metropolitan Transport Authority says the number of incidences of the illegal and dangerous races has been reduced, but the videos show they continue to occur.

http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...as-americas-muestra-peligrosidad-de-la-accion


Green March Movement in Moca
The people of Moca, the northcentral city, marched on the 16 August public holiday to protest impunity and government corruption in the Dominican Republic. Families from all social levels marched on the main streets of the city starting at 10am at the intersection of Ramón Cáceres highway with Sabana Larga and ending at the rotunda at Calle Sánchez Ramírez with José Inocencio Reyes.

http://eldia.com.do/moca-se-viste-d...-restauracion-para-pedir-fin-de-la-impunidad/


WEForum: Corruption is most problematic factor for doing business in DR
The country profile for the Dominican Republic in the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report shows corruption (18.8) is the most problematic factor for doing business in the Dominican Republic. Next follows tax rates (16.4), inefficient government bureaucracy (12), and inadequately educated workforce (11.8), access to financing (8), tax regulations (7), and crime and theft (7).

The Dominican Republic is ranked 92nd of 138 countries included in the report. The country improved its position from 96th of 140 countries in the previous report for 2015-2016.

The Dominican Republic did poorly in regards to its institutions – ranked 123rd of 138 countries. The ranking was weighed down by poor performances in diversion of public funds (133), public trust in politicians (130), irregular payments and bribes (112), judicial independence (127), favoritism in decisions of government officials (128), wastefulness of government spending (111), burden of government regulation (110), efficiency of legal framework in settling disputes (112), efficiency of legal framework in challenging regs (127), business costs of crime and violence (122), reliability of police services (133), ethical behavior of firms (130).

The DR scored best in business costs of terrorism (36), strength of auditing and reporting standards (67), quality of roads (54), quality of port infrastructure (46), quality of air transport infrastructure (50), available airline seat kilometers (51), government budget balance (16), inflation (1), government debt in regards to GDP (31).

Other categories where the DR did above average were: intensity of local competition (21), prevalence of foreign ownership (41), business impact of rules on FDI (42), flexibility of wage determination (44), financial services meeting business needs (56), regulation of securities exchanges (53), soundness of banks (42), FDI and technology transfer (41), extent of marketing (37).

http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GCR201...lobalCompetitivenessReport2016-2017_FINAL.pdf


Direct flight connections guarantee fresher fruit exports
A recent article in Fresh Plaza online, points to the connection between tourism and the fresh fruits and vegetables for the North American and European markets.

Fresh Plaza makes the point that the Dominican Republic received 6.1 million air tourists in 2016, of which the US sent the most with 2.1 million, Canada sent 772,000, and the remaining 3 million from Spain, Italy, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Russia.

“This means 67 non-stop flights from the Punta Cana airport alone to Europe, including 17 direct flights to Russia during the winter season,” highlights the reporter. The point is made that while Latin America and Caribbean may have direct flights to the United States and Canada, no one else has this level of non-stop connectivity to Europe.

The abundance of international freight connections translates into cargo space for Dominican mangos, Asian vegetables, aromatic herbs, pineapples, and avocados on direct flights to Europe. There they can arrive in a much fresher condition with longer shelf life.

“The Dominican pineapple starts off with a natural sweeter advantage because of a stronger sunlight regime in the field and a less than 24-hour transit time to its final destination, which makes sure it stays just as sweet,” says the reporter. “You’ll be pleasantly surprised if compare the taste of a delicious Dominican pineapple with a Costa Rican pineapple in a European supermarket.”

Fresh Plaza points out that as more South American tourists come to the Dominican Republic, South America fruit and vegetable competitors are starting to use Dominican airports for trans-shipping cargo to Europe. Dominican exporters are one among the very few countries that can export long beans to Europe because of its strong air freight connections that competitors don’t have. Long beans, need fast and fresh transport to preserve its freshness and quality, according to the report.

The US market also benefits. The US Department of Agriculture supported Exporta Calidad Program is helping Dominican exporters understand the different requirements of the European market including box sizes, certifications, and quality standards. The Exporta Calidad Program is working with Dominican exporters to develop a country source of origin branding for their produce.

Fresh Plaza explains that European tourists returning from the Dominican Republic have taken a liking to fresh Dominican produce as part of their meals.

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/179880/Dominican-freshness-and-international-freight-connections


Revised forecasts point to stormy 2017
As the current tropical hurricane season enters into its peak period, when more and more storms head for the Caribbean, the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) updated their forecast for the season, predicting above normal hurricane activity.

“The season has the potential to be very active and could be the most active since 2010,” indicated NOAA in a report published on 9 August 2017. The report stresses that the forecasters now project that there is an 80% possibility that this will be an above normal season in comparison with the predictions of last May of a 45% probability, and they expect between 14 and 19 named storms (up from 11 – 17 forecast in May) and they place the number of major hurricanes at between two and five. They also maintain their forecast that there will be between 5 and 9 hurricanes.

According to Gerry Bell, from the Climate Forecasting Center of NOAA: “The wind and air patterns in the tropical Atlantic and the Caribbean, where many of these storms develop, are much more propitious for an above normal season. This is due in part to the possibility of El Niño coming together has decreased and this in turn increases the possibility of more hurricanes.”

The specialist, according to the report published on the NOAA website, also pointed out some of the other factors that indicate an above normal season, such as waters in the tropical Atlantic that are much warmer than previously forecast.

Readers will certainly note, as Gert dissipates into the North Atlantic, the formation of three areas in the tropical Atlantic which are being watched by everyone interested in hurricane development. So far there have been seven named storms: Arlene, Brett, Cindy, Don, Emily, Franklin and Gert that became a hurricane yesterday.

To follow storms as they affect the Dominican Republic, see the threads on the 2017 Hurricane Season in the DR1 Forums at:
http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/161573-hurricane-season-2017?p=1813349#post1813349
For general background on hurricanes in the Dominican Republic, see
http://dr1.com/weather/hurricanes.shtml


See Victor Estrella play tennis
The best Dominican tennis player of all times, 37-year old Victor Estrella is playing Casper Rudd from Norway today, 17 August 2017, at 4pm in the Milex Open held at the courts of the Santo Domingo Tennis Club (La Bocha). Estrella’s career high Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) ranking was 43rd reached in July 2015. Today he is ranked 112th by the ATP.

In a first match, Estrella defeated Brazilian Joao Pedro Sorgi 7-5, 6-3. The tournament is taking place from 14-19 August 2017.

The Dominican team in the Milex Open Challenger is made up by: José (Bebo) Hernández, José Olivares, Roerto Cid and Nick Hardt.

The Milex Open is a professional tennis tournament that is played on outdoor green clay courts. Since 2015 it has been part of the Association of Tennis Professionals’ Challenger Tour. Players compete for US$125,000 in prize money.

http://www.protennislive.com/posting/2017/7201/x.pdf
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/atp-challenger-tour
http://labocha.org/es-es/
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/video/estrella-burgos-beats-lorenzi-in-quito-2017-final-highlights


Santiago wins national basketball tournament
The Metros de Santiago defeated the defending champions, Leones de Santo Domingo 94-87 on 16 August 2017 to win the National Basketball Championship of the National Basketball League (LNB). Making the victory sweeter, it was won at the Santiago Gran Arena Oscar Gobaira. The Santiago team won all but one of their matches in the 5-7 final series. The Dominican team is coached by former national basketball team player, José (Maita) Mercedes.

http://eldia.com.do/metros-de-santiago-se-coronan-en-torneo-liga-nacional-de-baloncesto/