President Danilo Medina at China International Import Expo
Agreement with Mexico for audiovisual learning
IDB lends US$400 million to prepare for utility rate increases
Christmas boxes being prepared
Some fuel prices to decrease
Police in all your eight Juvenile Community Program in Puerto Plata
“Coqui” is doing quite well and will soon leave quarantine
Contract teachers striking
DR drops three slots of Doing Business Ranking
High 55.3% unemployment of youths in the capital city
Justice of Peace for Tucanos opposed
Major fraud network dismantled
American arrested for murder in Sosua
Major accidents on Puerto Plata-Navarrete road
Merengue singer Rasputín dies
Juan Manuel Pellerano passes away
David Ortiz hosts golf tournament
Evening of merengue: Sergio Vargas and Miriam Cruz
President Danilo Medina at China International Import Expo
President Danilo Medina joined his colleagues from Panama, El Salvador and Cuba, on state visits to China last week, As part of their agendas, Presidents Danilo Medina (Dominican Republic) Juan Carlos Varela (Panama), Salvador Sánchez Cerén (El Salvador) and Miguel Díaz-Canel (Cuba) gave talks and participated at each country’s stand at the China International Import Exposition taking place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center of Shanghai from 5-10 November 2018. The exposition is part of new Chinese government initiatives to promote imports to China, seeking to change the country’s strong positioning as just an exporter.
This reality is very true for the Dominican Republic. National Statistics Office (ONE) data shows that in 2017 the People’s Republic of China exported US$2,458 million to the Dominican Republic, and Dominican exports were but US$145 million. Export figures for 2018 are expected to be less than in 2017 as a good part of the US$145 million was scrap metal that China is no longer sourcing in the Dominican Republic.
Local media accompanying President Danilo Medina on the trip to China reported that President Xi Jinping made a stop at the Dominican stand at the exposition where he was received by President Medina. President Xi Jinping spoke with optimism of Dominican Republic increasing its rum exports to China now that both countries share full diplomatic relations. He expressed his interest in Chinese being able to taste Dominican rum once it is readily available on the Chinese market. “We the Chinese do not yet know much about rum but we enjoy its taste and that is very important. The task ahead is to introduce it because you have a big market here in China,” said Xi Jinping speaking through a translator. At the stand, President Xi Jinping learned about Dominican hand rolled cigars, cacao exports, fruits and tropical vegetables, such as pineapple, bananas, avocados, among others. President Medina reported Dominican cigars are competitive because of their superior consistent quality compared to Cuban cigars.
It was reported the President cut his visit short. He caught a bad cold in China. He will not make the planned stop in Shenzhen to visit manufacturing plants and will return on Wednesday, 7 November 2018, earlier than planned.
The Presidency announced a US$600 million loan is in the works with China for the electricity sector. Diario Libre says Ruben Jimenez Bichara, executive vice president of the Dominican Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEEE)who is on the government mission in China, told their reporters that the loan would be made by the Exim Bank of China and would be used to improve the power distribution system and cut losses by an estimated 28% or around US$100 million a year. He said the loan would be signed for 2-3% interest rate.
Diario Libre reported that President Danilo Medina said the government is not seeking Chinese investors for its coal-fired Punta Catalina thermoelectric central. He also denied that the government would negotiate a free trade agreement with China.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...on-y-exportacion-china-comercio-es-y-debe-ser
https://livestream.com/PresidenciaRD/1eraferiaexportacioneimportaciondechina/videos/183103238
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...os-chinos-puedan-disfrutar-del-ron-dominicano
http://hoy.com.do/video-lea-aqui-el...empresarios-dominicanos-y-chinos-en-shanghai/
https://www.eldinero.com.do/60033/el-mercado-de-china-es-un-reto-para-los-exportadores-dominicanos/
https://www.metrord.do/do/destacado...canos-llegan-shanghai-expo-importaciones.html
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/11...re-visto-como-una-oportunidad-de-ganar-ganar/
http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/article/zt_englishimport/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...o-domingo-debido-a-virus-gripal-que-le-afecta
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...xi-jinping-se-interesa-por-productos-del-pais
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/11...pone-el-potencial-de-rd-para-inversion-china/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...con-china-para-el-sector-electrico-KJ11188376
https://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/173602-Monday,+5+November+2018?kl=1920911#jj0
Agreement with Mexico for audiovisual learning
Education Minister Andrés Navarro announced the signing on 2 November 2018 of a cooperation agreement with the minister of public education in Mexico, Otto Granados, to promote and develop educational television in both countries. The agreement promotes the exchange of educational materials in audiovisual formats as well as the sharing of experiences and knowledge in research, innovation and educational technology to improve the quality of education. Navarro forecast the agreement would have a transcendental impact on Dominican education.
"The most sustainable way for the permanence of change is with the creation of strategic alliances and this that we are doing today with Mexico. This new alliance will allow us to take important steps in the development of educational resources," said Navarro.
For his part, Granados said that the signing of the cooperation agreement by Mexican Educational Television and the Dominican Republic is a great opportunity "because it is a very robust, very powerful platform that we can, between the ministries of Mexico and Dominican Republic, enrich the contents, launch or promote continuous training programs and training for teachers.” He said the agreement will be taking advantage of new digital technologies and electronic communication for the benefit of education.
http://www.ministeriodeeducacion.go...o-mexicano-para-impulsar-television-educativa
IDB lends US$400 million to prepare for utility rate increases
The Inter-American Development Bank (BID) announced on 1 November 2018 lending US$400 million to the Dominican Republic to encourage financial sustainability and the operational efficiency of the electricity sector.
The funds include improving the capacity for supervision of the financial and operational indicators of the electrical sector and improving transparency. In addition, the efficient expansion of the systems of generation and transmission of electricity and improving the efficiency of the management of the demand for electricity as well as support for the design and implementation of a new efficient and flexible tariff.
IDB says that the goals of the plan include strengthening the electricity sector’s institutional and supervisory capital and enhancing sectorial planning and regulation. At the same time, the loan will help support better management and operations at electricity distribution companies. The idea of strengthening the electricity sector’s institutional and supervisory capital includes improving the supervisory capacity of its operational and financial leaders by providing more transparent information. It also includes boosting oversight of the wholesale electricity market to increase efficiency in power generation.
The funds will be used to enhance sectorial planning and consolidation of the regulatory framework aiming to ensure efficient expansion of electricity generation and transmission systems; boost efficiency in the management of demand for electricity. It was agreed that the Ministry of Energy and Mines would enhance its institutional capacity for the development of energy efficiency programs; and support the design and implementation of a new and efficient utility rate regime that will favor sustainability in the sector.
The US$400 million IDB loan is over 20 years with a one year disbursement period, a grace period of 5.4 years and an interest rate pegged to the LIBOR.
https://www.iadb.org/en/news/dominican-republic-boost-energy-efficiency-idb-loan
Christmas boxes being prepared for the poor
The director of the Social Assistance Plan of the Presidency, Iris Guaba has announced that her organization has allotted RD$1.4 billion for the distribution of Christmas boxes with popular Christmas dinner items. Beginning on 1 December, the boxes will start to be issued to the provincial governors’ offices and they will begin to hand them out house by house.
Guaba explained that around a million boxes will be distributed containing chicken, rice, beans, punch, flour, pasta, sugar, wine, rum, sardines, seasoning, coffee and cassava among others. She reminded that last year the Social Assistance Plan of the Presidency has RD$1.2 million for Christmas so this year there is a RD$200,000 increase.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/rd-1-400-millones-para-cajas-navidad-MG11171580
Some fuel prices to decrease
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and SMEs has announced a decrease in the prices of gasoline and Liquid Petroleum Gas, but at the same time has announced increases in the other fuel prices. Regular gasoline is decreased by RD$2.90 and will sell at RD$223.30 a gallon, and Premium gasoline goes down by RD$2.40 and will sell at RD$235.00. LPG decreases by RD$2.40 and will sell at RD$119.40 a gallon. Premium diesel has increased by RD$2.00 to RD$207.90 a gallon and regular diesel will sell at RD$195.80 a gallon, an increase of RD$2.00 per gallon.
Aviation fuel goes down by RD$1.00 to RD$156.60 a gallon and kerosene also decreases by RD$1.00 to sell at RD$184.70 a gallon. Natural gas will sell at RD$28.97 a cubic meter, the same price as at present.
Over the past weeks, the price of fuel has been dropping slightly, following recent work stoppages by transporters.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...a-la-premium-y-al-glp-suben-rd-2-00-al-gasoil
Police in all your eight Juvenile Community Program in Puerto Plata
With a push from the director general of the National Police, Major General Ney Bautista Almonte, the Juvenile Community Program in Puerto Plata has begun. Puerto Plata governor Ivan Rivera praised the initiative by the Police. The program will provide training for young Dominicans who “will benefit immensely from this program that seeks to guide them along the path today so that society will not have to reject them or fight them tomorrow,” explained Rivera.
The young people are receiving education programs to prevent them from joining gangs and using narcotics, as well as learning about the national symbols of patriotism (the national flag, the founding fathers, the Constitution, and the national anthem) and the importance of protecting tourism among other features.
The director general for the Community Police division of the Police, Colonel Jacobo Mateo Moquete says that 154 adolescents would take courses offered by the Community Juvenile Police over the next 2-½ months.
https://elnacional.com.do/puerto-plata-inicia-este-sabado-programa-policia-juvenil-comunitaria/
“Coqui” is doing quite well and will soon leave quarantine
Coqui, the small crocodile that had been living in a filthy creek in Sabana Perdida and is being treated at the Santo Domingo Zoo, is said to be doing very well and is healthy and eating. The crocodile will soon leave the quarantine imposed upon him at the National Zoo in Santo Domingo. In a Zoo post on Instagram, the Zoo explained that “talking about him, we have heard so many names given to him that we feel he might suffer an identity crisis”.
Readers will remember that Coqui was captured about 10 days ago after several days of fruitless searching and attempts finally came to a close in the creek in barrio Nuevo out in Sabana Perdida. The small crocodile had caused serious worries for the residents of the area but apparently it also became a local “tourist” attraction.
The team of veterinarians from the National Zoom received the crocodile after his capture by Aneudys Antonio Brito. The crocodile was placed in quarantine to ensure its safety and good health. Because of a loss of habitat, this species of crocodile is somewhat endangered. Most of the national population of crocodiles lives around Lake Enriquillo in Barahona.
http://eldia.com.do/coquiesta-muy-bien-saludable-y-pronto-saldra-de-cuarentena-dice-el-zoologico/
Contract teachers striking
On Friday, 2 November 2018, many public school teachers went on strike complaining they had not been paid so far this school year. The Dominican Association of Contracted Teachers (Adomaco) complained that some of their members had been working on a contract basis for several years with no social security benefits or Christmas bonuses.
There are around 8,000 teachers who work on a contract basis being paid RD$20,000 per month for the extended school day and RD$10,000 for just half a day. According to some of these teachers, they have been threatened with dismissal by the district authorities if they do not go to work, even though they have not been paid.
The president elect of the Dominican Association of Teachers (ADP), Xiomara Guante criticized the delays in payments and the practice of the Ministry of Education (Minerd) hiring teachers on a contract basis to save money as their salaries are less than half of those who have a fixed position. She also criticized the fact they do not have medical insurance so if and when they are sick they are fired. In addition many are never paid or paid late. All of these irregularities are affecting students, and she called for the Ministry to solve this, what she called abusive situation.
Education MinisterAndrés Navarro, refused to respond saying “we will discuss this at another time”.
http://hoy.com.do/maestros-contratados-exigen-pago-ayer-no-dieron-clases/
DR drops 3 slots in 2019 Doing Business
The Dominican Republic declined three slots in the 2019 Doing Business ranking presented on 31 October 2018 by the World Bank. The Dominican Republic is now ranked 102nd of 190 countries. In 2018 its ranking was 99th. Starting a business in the Dominican Republic takes on average 16.5 days, compared to half a day in New Zealand.
https://noticiassin.com/analisis-economico-rd-baja-tres-puestos-en-ranking-doing-business-2019/
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...nking-mundial-de-clima-empresarial-LE11158452
http://www.worldbank.org/content/da...Reports/English/DB2019-report_web-version.pdf
High 55.3% unemployment of youths in Greater Santo Domingo
The Center for Education and Development (Ceduca) says that 55.3% of youths looking for work in Greater Santo Domingo have not been able to find a job. Most of the jobless youths live in Santo Domingo East.
Isidro Pérez Polanco of Ceduca says this includes the “ninis” or youths that do not study and do not work. He demanded better policies for youths to find that first job to give them the working experience to continue in the market place. He said most who are working will only find jobs in the informal sector. He said the lack of opportunities for youth causes an increase in delinquency and teenage pregnancies.
https://elnacional.com.do/dicen-55-3-jovenes-no-tiene-empleos/
Justice of Peace for Tucanos opposed
Lawyers of Retired Major General Rafael Peña Antonio petitioned that Judge Raquel Astacio Mercedes be recused from hearing the bribes case regarding the sale of Super Tucano Embraer Brazilian aircraft to the Dominican Air Force. The lawyers say that the case should be heard by a judge of the same rank as Judge Yanibet Rivas who was leading the process. They criticized that Judge Astacio is a justice of peace.
The hearings are now recessed until a decision is reached on who should continue the case. The next date is set for 26 November 2018.
In the case of the Tucanos bribes, the accused are Air Force colonel Carlos Piccini, and businessmen Daniel Aquino Hernández, Daniel Aquino Méndez, Ysrael Abreu Rosario, and the notary Felix del Orbe Berroa.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/justicia/se-oponen-a-jueza-de-paz-en-caso-tucanos-LH11165871
Major fraud network dismantled
According to police spokesman, Colonel Frank Duran, a powerful network of travel document forgers and human traffickers has been dismantled by the National Police with the arrest of 17 of its members in simultaneous operations. Durán said that the dismantling of the network followed 22 months of hard intelligence work by the Specialized Investigation Division against Migration Crimes (Deidem) from the Central Investigation Agency (Dicrim).
Among those arrested are three women and 14 men and an Italian citizen, who charged each client between US$10,000 and US$20,000 for a passport and other fake documents to travel overseas.
Those arrested are Fabia Teresa Soler Silvestre, Inés Tomasina Ortiz (alias) Nena, Jenny Cecilia Reyes Núñez, Juan Pablo Soto Lara, Delio Amago Izalguez Aquino, Andrés Beltrand (alias) Chemo, Hilarión Rafael Moisés (alias) Papito, Rubén Darío Leger Ferreras (alias) Leger, Nelson Féliz Reyes (alias) Onésimo, and Nelson Encarnación Polanco.
Also arrested were Savino Zacaro (alias) El Italiano, Alberto Antonio Amaro Santiago, Lucas Alberto Rafael Comprés Díaz, Alexis Reyes Pérez (alias) Moreno, Dennison Amauris Mejía Bautista (alias) Spencer, Carlos Manuel Báez Báez (alias) Calitín, and José Antonio Rodríguez Díaz.
According to the police the gang heads were Fabia Soler and Juan Pablo Soto, who employed Lucas Comprés, Dennison Amauris Mejía, Alexis Reyes Pérez, Alberto Antonio Amaro and Inés Tomasina Ortiz, to look for people and then they bought all of the stolen passports.
The investigation revealed that passports were forged, altered and sold and came from Canada, Spain, France, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic so that their clients could travel illegally to the United States, Europe, and other countries in Central America and the Caribbean.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...cada-a-la-falsificacion-y-trafico-de-personas
American arrested for murder in Sosua
On Thursday, 1 November, the body of a 29-year old mother of four from Sosua was found murdered in Cabarete, Puerto Plata Province. She had been reported missing the previous Monday and was last seen having a drink with a foreigner in Sosua. The victim, Zaida Yonaly Rosario Paniagua, lived in Charamicos and was last seen with United States citizen, 36-year old Oluseye Adesegun, in a nightclub in El Batey Sosua.
Video evidence shows the Adesegun carried the woman out of the Alicia Beach Hotel in Sosua, accompanied by a member of the hotel staff. Both were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (DICRIM) of the National Police. The body was later discovered in the bushes in the Jardin Deportivo sector of Cabarete and was then sent to the Institute of Forensic Science for autopsy.
Initial comments from the state medical examiner indicate the victim was beaten and strangled.
The Public Prosecution service is asking for one year in preventive custody, as well as access to the vehicle in which it is thought the victim was taken to Cabarete.
https://almomento.net/puerto-plata-mp-solicita-un-ano-de-prision-contra-estadounidense/
http://eldia.com.do/apresan-nigeriano-acusado-de-matar-a-golpes-una-mujer-en-sosua/
http://eldia.com.do/hallan-muerta-m...as-desaparecida-tras-salir-con-un-extranjero/
Major accidents on Puerto Plata-Navarrete road
According to the provincial department of Civil Defense, seven people were injured in two traffic accidents over the Constitution Day weekend on the Puerto Plata-Navarrete road.
The first accident happened between Maimón and Imbert when a Toyota SUV carrying fruit collided with a public shared taxi. Five people were injured and taken to the Ricardo Limon public hospital in Puerto Plata. Yoendry Núñez Tavárez, Willians Alberto Polanco and Jorge Francisco, were all from El Javillar and the other two have not been identified.
The other accident involved a security vehicle, carrying money from Dominican Watchman National, which overturned following a tire blowout leaving two injured just after the Altamira tunnel.
http://eldia.com.do/accidentes-de-t...rto-plata-navarrete-dejan-7-personas-heridas/
Merengue singer Rasputín dies
On Sunday, 4 November 2018, the well-known merengue singer, 63-year old July Mateo (Rasputín), passed away from what is believed to be a massive stroke. His remains were sent to Forensic Pathology and once released were taken to Blandino Funeral Home in Santo Domingo East. His family said he had suffered two previous strokes in 2011 and 2013.
As reported in El Dia, the last person to speak to him was singer Sandy Reyes who said they spoke for 25 minutes around noon on Friday, 2 November 2018. Forensics say he had died on his own more than a day before he was found. He went missing when he did not show up for a performance at Casa de España.
Best known for the song “Viejo Año” and “Oye, Abre los Ojos”, he received a number of awards during his lifetime. His merengues were played during his wake.
http://eldia.com.do/rasputin-tenia-un-dia-muerto-cuando-lo-encontraron/
https://listindiario.com/entretenimiento/2018/11/04/540370/muere-el-merenguero-rasputin-de-un-acv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-ouDi9In7A
Juan Manuel Pellerano passes away
One of the most well-known lawyers in the Dominican Republic, Juan Manuel Pellerano Gómez passed away on Sunday, 4 November 2018. He was 91 years old. He is best known as founder of the prestigious law firm Pellerano-Herrera that opened in 1952. He had received several recognitions, including one from Chambers Global that described him as “lawyer of lawyers.” He was a highly respected professor of law and is credited with introducing the Court of Appeals to the Dominican legal system.
https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2018/11/05/540456/doloroso-adios-al-abogado-de-los-abogados
David Ortiz hosts golf tournament
David Ortiz is gearing up to host his 11th annual Celebrity Golf Classic, from 29 November through 2 December 2018 at the Casa de Campo Resort and Villas in La Romana. Among the many stars who’ve already promised to make an appearance: sporty VIPs Jackie Bradley Jr., Jim Rice, Ray Allen and Tim Wakefield; reality TV stars, such as former “Bachelor” alum Ben Higgins and “Dancing with the Stars” professional Sharna Burgess; and celebs from the entertainment world like rapper Ja Rule, as well as Tina and Richard Lawson, aka Beyonce’s mother and her actor hubby.
Proceeds from the four-day social event will support a serious cause: David Ortiz Children’s Fund. The nonprofit, founded in 2007, works with hospitals like CEDIMAT and Massachusetts General to provide lifesaving heart surgeries for children in the Dominican Republic and New England. To date, the golf outing has raised US$5 million for the foundation, treating more than 750 children.
More information about reserving packages during the long weekend of luxury can be found at the David Ortiz Children’s Fund site where there are a range of options starting at US$6,500.
https://www.davidortizchildrensfund.org/golflanding/
http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/inside_track/2018/11/david_ortiz_throws_a_big_party
Winter Professional Baseball Championship update
The Gigantes del Cibao came out of the long weekend alone in the first place of the 2018-2019 Dominican baseball regular season. The Gigantes, with a record of 12 games won and 7 lost, lead one and a half games ahead of the Aguilas Cibaeñas (10-8). Next in the standings is the Leones del Escogido team with a record of 10-9, followed by the Toros del Este with 9-9, the Estrellas Orientales 9-10 and the Tigres del Licey 6-13.
Follow the tournament at http://www.lidom.com/home/
Evening of merengue: Sergio Vargas and Miriam Cruz
Sergio Vargas and Miriam Cruz will be taking the stage of the Barcelo Santo Domingo (former Lina Hotel) on Friday, 9 November 2018. The two legendary merengue singers will be performing their best hits and several duos. Tickets for sale at Uepa Tickets and CCN, Supermercados Nacional and Jumbo. This is a Ramses Peralta production.
Agreement with Mexico for audiovisual learning
IDB lends US$400 million to prepare for utility rate increases
Christmas boxes being prepared
Some fuel prices to decrease
Police in all your eight Juvenile Community Program in Puerto Plata
“Coqui” is doing quite well and will soon leave quarantine
Contract teachers striking
DR drops three slots of Doing Business Ranking
High 55.3% unemployment of youths in the capital city
Justice of Peace for Tucanos opposed
Major fraud network dismantled
American arrested for murder in Sosua
Major accidents on Puerto Plata-Navarrete road
Merengue singer Rasputín dies
Juan Manuel Pellerano passes away
David Ortiz hosts golf tournament
Evening of merengue: Sergio Vargas and Miriam Cruz
President Danilo Medina at China International Import Expo
President Danilo Medina joined his colleagues from Panama, El Salvador and Cuba, on state visits to China last week, As part of their agendas, Presidents Danilo Medina (Dominican Republic) Juan Carlos Varela (Panama), Salvador Sánchez Cerén (El Salvador) and Miguel Díaz-Canel (Cuba) gave talks and participated at each country’s stand at the China International Import Exposition taking place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center of Shanghai from 5-10 November 2018. The exposition is part of new Chinese government initiatives to promote imports to China, seeking to change the country’s strong positioning as just an exporter.
This reality is very true for the Dominican Republic. National Statistics Office (ONE) data shows that in 2017 the People’s Republic of China exported US$2,458 million to the Dominican Republic, and Dominican exports were but US$145 million. Export figures for 2018 are expected to be less than in 2017 as a good part of the US$145 million was scrap metal that China is no longer sourcing in the Dominican Republic.
Local media accompanying President Danilo Medina on the trip to China reported that President Xi Jinping made a stop at the Dominican stand at the exposition where he was received by President Medina. President Xi Jinping spoke with optimism of Dominican Republic increasing its rum exports to China now that both countries share full diplomatic relations. He expressed his interest in Chinese being able to taste Dominican rum once it is readily available on the Chinese market. “We the Chinese do not yet know much about rum but we enjoy its taste and that is very important. The task ahead is to introduce it because you have a big market here in China,” said Xi Jinping speaking through a translator. At the stand, President Xi Jinping learned about Dominican hand rolled cigars, cacao exports, fruits and tropical vegetables, such as pineapple, bananas, avocados, among others. President Medina reported Dominican cigars are competitive because of their superior consistent quality compared to Cuban cigars.
It was reported the President cut his visit short. He caught a bad cold in China. He will not make the planned stop in Shenzhen to visit manufacturing plants and will return on Wednesday, 7 November 2018, earlier than planned.
The Presidency announced a US$600 million loan is in the works with China for the electricity sector. Diario Libre says Ruben Jimenez Bichara, executive vice president of the Dominican Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEEE)who is on the government mission in China, told their reporters that the loan would be made by the Exim Bank of China and would be used to improve the power distribution system and cut losses by an estimated 28% or around US$100 million a year. He said the loan would be signed for 2-3% interest rate.
Diario Libre reported that President Danilo Medina said the government is not seeking Chinese investors for its coal-fired Punta Catalina thermoelectric central. He also denied that the government would negotiate a free trade agreement with China.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...on-y-exportacion-china-comercio-es-y-debe-ser
https://livestream.com/PresidenciaRD/1eraferiaexportacioneimportaciondechina/videos/183103238
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...os-chinos-puedan-disfrutar-del-ron-dominicano
http://hoy.com.do/video-lea-aqui-el...empresarios-dominicanos-y-chinos-en-shanghai/
https://www.eldinero.com.do/60033/el-mercado-de-china-es-un-reto-para-los-exportadores-dominicanos/
https://www.metrord.do/do/destacado...canos-llegan-shanghai-expo-importaciones.html
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/11...re-visto-como-una-oportunidad-de-ganar-ganar/
http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/article/zt_englishimport/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...o-domingo-debido-a-virus-gripal-que-le-afecta
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...xi-jinping-se-interesa-por-productos-del-pais
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/11...pone-el-potencial-de-rd-para-inversion-china/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...con-china-para-el-sector-electrico-KJ11188376
https://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/173602-Monday,+5+November+2018?kl=1920911#jj0
Agreement with Mexico for audiovisual learning
Education Minister Andrés Navarro announced the signing on 2 November 2018 of a cooperation agreement with the minister of public education in Mexico, Otto Granados, to promote and develop educational television in both countries. The agreement promotes the exchange of educational materials in audiovisual formats as well as the sharing of experiences and knowledge in research, innovation and educational technology to improve the quality of education. Navarro forecast the agreement would have a transcendental impact on Dominican education.
"The most sustainable way for the permanence of change is with the creation of strategic alliances and this that we are doing today with Mexico. This new alliance will allow us to take important steps in the development of educational resources," said Navarro.
For his part, Granados said that the signing of the cooperation agreement by Mexican Educational Television and the Dominican Republic is a great opportunity "because it is a very robust, very powerful platform that we can, between the ministries of Mexico and Dominican Republic, enrich the contents, launch or promote continuous training programs and training for teachers.” He said the agreement will be taking advantage of new digital technologies and electronic communication for the benefit of education.
http://www.ministeriodeeducacion.go...o-mexicano-para-impulsar-television-educativa
IDB lends US$400 million to prepare for utility rate increases
The Inter-American Development Bank (BID) announced on 1 November 2018 lending US$400 million to the Dominican Republic to encourage financial sustainability and the operational efficiency of the electricity sector.
The funds include improving the capacity for supervision of the financial and operational indicators of the electrical sector and improving transparency. In addition, the efficient expansion of the systems of generation and transmission of electricity and improving the efficiency of the management of the demand for electricity as well as support for the design and implementation of a new efficient and flexible tariff.
IDB says that the goals of the plan include strengthening the electricity sector’s institutional and supervisory capital and enhancing sectorial planning and regulation. At the same time, the loan will help support better management and operations at electricity distribution companies. The idea of strengthening the electricity sector’s institutional and supervisory capital includes improving the supervisory capacity of its operational and financial leaders by providing more transparent information. It also includes boosting oversight of the wholesale electricity market to increase efficiency in power generation.
The funds will be used to enhance sectorial planning and consolidation of the regulatory framework aiming to ensure efficient expansion of electricity generation and transmission systems; boost efficiency in the management of demand for electricity. It was agreed that the Ministry of Energy and Mines would enhance its institutional capacity for the development of energy efficiency programs; and support the design and implementation of a new and efficient utility rate regime that will favor sustainability in the sector.
The US$400 million IDB loan is over 20 years with a one year disbursement period, a grace period of 5.4 years and an interest rate pegged to the LIBOR.
https://www.iadb.org/en/news/dominican-republic-boost-energy-efficiency-idb-loan
Christmas boxes being prepared for the poor
The director of the Social Assistance Plan of the Presidency, Iris Guaba has announced that her organization has allotted RD$1.4 billion for the distribution of Christmas boxes with popular Christmas dinner items. Beginning on 1 December, the boxes will start to be issued to the provincial governors’ offices and they will begin to hand them out house by house.
Guaba explained that around a million boxes will be distributed containing chicken, rice, beans, punch, flour, pasta, sugar, wine, rum, sardines, seasoning, coffee and cassava among others. She reminded that last year the Social Assistance Plan of the Presidency has RD$1.2 million for Christmas so this year there is a RD$200,000 increase.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/rd-1-400-millones-para-cajas-navidad-MG11171580
Some fuel prices to decrease
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and SMEs has announced a decrease in the prices of gasoline and Liquid Petroleum Gas, but at the same time has announced increases in the other fuel prices. Regular gasoline is decreased by RD$2.90 and will sell at RD$223.30 a gallon, and Premium gasoline goes down by RD$2.40 and will sell at RD$235.00. LPG decreases by RD$2.40 and will sell at RD$119.40 a gallon. Premium diesel has increased by RD$2.00 to RD$207.90 a gallon and regular diesel will sell at RD$195.80 a gallon, an increase of RD$2.00 per gallon.
Aviation fuel goes down by RD$1.00 to RD$156.60 a gallon and kerosene also decreases by RD$1.00 to sell at RD$184.70 a gallon. Natural gas will sell at RD$28.97 a cubic meter, the same price as at present.
Over the past weeks, the price of fuel has been dropping slightly, following recent work stoppages by transporters.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...a-la-premium-y-al-glp-suben-rd-2-00-al-gasoil
Police in all your eight Juvenile Community Program in Puerto Plata
With a push from the director general of the National Police, Major General Ney Bautista Almonte, the Juvenile Community Program in Puerto Plata has begun. Puerto Plata governor Ivan Rivera praised the initiative by the Police. The program will provide training for young Dominicans who “will benefit immensely from this program that seeks to guide them along the path today so that society will not have to reject them or fight them tomorrow,” explained Rivera.
The young people are receiving education programs to prevent them from joining gangs and using narcotics, as well as learning about the national symbols of patriotism (the national flag, the founding fathers, the Constitution, and the national anthem) and the importance of protecting tourism among other features.
The director general for the Community Police division of the Police, Colonel Jacobo Mateo Moquete says that 154 adolescents would take courses offered by the Community Juvenile Police over the next 2-½ months.
https://elnacional.com.do/puerto-plata-inicia-este-sabado-programa-policia-juvenil-comunitaria/
“Coqui” is doing quite well and will soon leave quarantine
Coqui, the small crocodile that had been living in a filthy creek in Sabana Perdida and is being treated at the Santo Domingo Zoo, is said to be doing very well and is healthy and eating. The crocodile will soon leave the quarantine imposed upon him at the National Zoo in Santo Domingo. In a Zoo post on Instagram, the Zoo explained that “talking about him, we have heard so many names given to him that we feel he might suffer an identity crisis”.
Readers will remember that Coqui was captured about 10 days ago after several days of fruitless searching and attempts finally came to a close in the creek in barrio Nuevo out in Sabana Perdida. The small crocodile had caused serious worries for the residents of the area but apparently it also became a local “tourist” attraction.
The team of veterinarians from the National Zoom received the crocodile after his capture by Aneudys Antonio Brito. The crocodile was placed in quarantine to ensure its safety and good health. Because of a loss of habitat, this species of crocodile is somewhat endangered. Most of the national population of crocodiles lives around Lake Enriquillo in Barahona.
http://eldia.com.do/coquiesta-muy-bien-saludable-y-pronto-saldra-de-cuarentena-dice-el-zoologico/
Contract teachers striking
On Friday, 2 November 2018, many public school teachers went on strike complaining they had not been paid so far this school year. The Dominican Association of Contracted Teachers (Adomaco) complained that some of their members had been working on a contract basis for several years with no social security benefits or Christmas bonuses.
There are around 8,000 teachers who work on a contract basis being paid RD$20,000 per month for the extended school day and RD$10,000 for just half a day. According to some of these teachers, they have been threatened with dismissal by the district authorities if they do not go to work, even though they have not been paid.
The president elect of the Dominican Association of Teachers (ADP), Xiomara Guante criticized the delays in payments and the practice of the Ministry of Education (Minerd) hiring teachers on a contract basis to save money as their salaries are less than half of those who have a fixed position. She also criticized the fact they do not have medical insurance so if and when they are sick they are fired. In addition many are never paid or paid late. All of these irregularities are affecting students, and she called for the Ministry to solve this, what she called abusive situation.
Education MinisterAndrés Navarro, refused to respond saying “we will discuss this at another time”.
http://hoy.com.do/maestros-contratados-exigen-pago-ayer-no-dieron-clases/
DR drops 3 slots in 2019 Doing Business
The Dominican Republic declined three slots in the 2019 Doing Business ranking presented on 31 October 2018 by the World Bank. The Dominican Republic is now ranked 102nd of 190 countries. In 2018 its ranking was 99th. Starting a business in the Dominican Republic takes on average 16.5 days, compared to half a day in New Zealand.
https://noticiassin.com/analisis-economico-rd-baja-tres-puestos-en-ranking-doing-business-2019/
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...nking-mundial-de-clima-empresarial-LE11158452
http://www.worldbank.org/content/da...Reports/English/DB2019-report_web-version.pdf
High 55.3% unemployment of youths in Greater Santo Domingo
The Center for Education and Development (Ceduca) says that 55.3% of youths looking for work in Greater Santo Domingo have not been able to find a job. Most of the jobless youths live in Santo Domingo East.
Isidro Pérez Polanco of Ceduca says this includes the “ninis” or youths that do not study and do not work. He demanded better policies for youths to find that first job to give them the working experience to continue in the market place. He said most who are working will only find jobs in the informal sector. He said the lack of opportunities for youth causes an increase in delinquency and teenage pregnancies.
https://elnacional.com.do/dicen-55-3-jovenes-no-tiene-empleos/
Justice of Peace for Tucanos opposed
Lawyers of Retired Major General Rafael Peña Antonio petitioned that Judge Raquel Astacio Mercedes be recused from hearing the bribes case regarding the sale of Super Tucano Embraer Brazilian aircraft to the Dominican Air Force. The lawyers say that the case should be heard by a judge of the same rank as Judge Yanibet Rivas who was leading the process. They criticized that Judge Astacio is a justice of peace.
The hearings are now recessed until a decision is reached on who should continue the case. The next date is set for 26 November 2018.
In the case of the Tucanos bribes, the accused are Air Force colonel Carlos Piccini, and businessmen Daniel Aquino Hernández, Daniel Aquino Méndez, Ysrael Abreu Rosario, and the notary Felix del Orbe Berroa.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/justicia/se-oponen-a-jueza-de-paz-en-caso-tucanos-LH11165871
Major fraud network dismantled
According to police spokesman, Colonel Frank Duran, a powerful network of travel document forgers and human traffickers has been dismantled by the National Police with the arrest of 17 of its members in simultaneous operations. Durán said that the dismantling of the network followed 22 months of hard intelligence work by the Specialized Investigation Division against Migration Crimes (Deidem) from the Central Investigation Agency (Dicrim).
Among those arrested are three women and 14 men and an Italian citizen, who charged each client between US$10,000 and US$20,000 for a passport and other fake documents to travel overseas.
Those arrested are Fabia Teresa Soler Silvestre, Inés Tomasina Ortiz (alias) Nena, Jenny Cecilia Reyes Núñez, Juan Pablo Soto Lara, Delio Amago Izalguez Aquino, Andrés Beltrand (alias) Chemo, Hilarión Rafael Moisés (alias) Papito, Rubén Darío Leger Ferreras (alias) Leger, Nelson Féliz Reyes (alias) Onésimo, and Nelson Encarnación Polanco.
Also arrested were Savino Zacaro (alias) El Italiano, Alberto Antonio Amaro Santiago, Lucas Alberto Rafael Comprés Díaz, Alexis Reyes Pérez (alias) Moreno, Dennison Amauris Mejía Bautista (alias) Spencer, Carlos Manuel Báez Báez (alias) Calitín, and José Antonio Rodríguez Díaz.
According to the police the gang heads were Fabia Soler and Juan Pablo Soto, who employed Lucas Comprés, Dennison Amauris Mejía, Alexis Reyes Pérez, Alberto Antonio Amaro and Inés Tomasina Ortiz, to look for people and then they bought all of the stolen passports.
The investigation revealed that passports were forged, altered and sold and came from Canada, Spain, France, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic so that their clients could travel illegally to the United States, Europe, and other countries in Central America and the Caribbean.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...cada-a-la-falsificacion-y-trafico-de-personas
American arrested for murder in Sosua
On Thursday, 1 November, the body of a 29-year old mother of four from Sosua was found murdered in Cabarete, Puerto Plata Province. She had been reported missing the previous Monday and was last seen having a drink with a foreigner in Sosua. The victim, Zaida Yonaly Rosario Paniagua, lived in Charamicos and was last seen with United States citizen, 36-year old Oluseye Adesegun, in a nightclub in El Batey Sosua.
Video evidence shows the Adesegun carried the woman out of the Alicia Beach Hotel in Sosua, accompanied by a member of the hotel staff. Both were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (DICRIM) of the National Police. The body was later discovered in the bushes in the Jardin Deportivo sector of Cabarete and was then sent to the Institute of Forensic Science for autopsy.
Initial comments from the state medical examiner indicate the victim was beaten and strangled.
The Public Prosecution service is asking for one year in preventive custody, as well as access to the vehicle in which it is thought the victim was taken to Cabarete.
https://almomento.net/puerto-plata-mp-solicita-un-ano-de-prision-contra-estadounidense/
http://eldia.com.do/apresan-nigeriano-acusado-de-matar-a-golpes-una-mujer-en-sosua/
http://eldia.com.do/hallan-muerta-m...as-desaparecida-tras-salir-con-un-extranjero/
Major accidents on Puerto Plata-Navarrete road
According to the provincial department of Civil Defense, seven people were injured in two traffic accidents over the Constitution Day weekend on the Puerto Plata-Navarrete road.
The first accident happened between Maimón and Imbert when a Toyota SUV carrying fruit collided with a public shared taxi. Five people were injured and taken to the Ricardo Limon public hospital in Puerto Plata. Yoendry Núñez Tavárez, Willians Alberto Polanco and Jorge Francisco, were all from El Javillar and the other two have not been identified.
The other accident involved a security vehicle, carrying money from Dominican Watchman National, which overturned following a tire blowout leaving two injured just after the Altamira tunnel.
http://eldia.com.do/accidentes-de-t...rto-plata-navarrete-dejan-7-personas-heridas/
Merengue singer Rasputín dies
On Sunday, 4 November 2018, the well-known merengue singer, 63-year old July Mateo (Rasputín), passed away from what is believed to be a massive stroke. His remains were sent to Forensic Pathology and once released were taken to Blandino Funeral Home in Santo Domingo East. His family said he had suffered two previous strokes in 2011 and 2013.
As reported in El Dia, the last person to speak to him was singer Sandy Reyes who said they spoke for 25 minutes around noon on Friday, 2 November 2018. Forensics say he had died on his own more than a day before he was found. He went missing when he did not show up for a performance at Casa de España.
Best known for the song “Viejo Año” and “Oye, Abre los Ojos”, he received a number of awards during his lifetime. His merengues were played during his wake.
http://eldia.com.do/rasputin-tenia-un-dia-muerto-cuando-lo-encontraron/
https://listindiario.com/entretenimiento/2018/11/04/540370/muere-el-merenguero-rasputin-de-un-acv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-ouDi9In7A
Juan Manuel Pellerano passes away
One of the most well-known lawyers in the Dominican Republic, Juan Manuel Pellerano Gómez passed away on Sunday, 4 November 2018. He was 91 years old. He is best known as founder of the prestigious law firm Pellerano-Herrera that opened in 1952. He had received several recognitions, including one from Chambers Global that described him as “lawyer of lawyers.” He was a highly respected professor of law and is credited with introducing the Court of Appeals to the Dominican legal system.
https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2018/11/05/540456/doloroso-adios-al-abogado-de-los-abogados
David Ortiz hosts golf tournament
David Ortiz is gearing up to host his 11th annual Celebrity Golf Classic, from 29 November through 2 December 2018 at the Casa de Campo Resort and Villas in La Romana. Among the many stars who’ve already promised to make an appearance: sporty VIPs Jackie Bradley Jr., Jim Rice, Ray Allen and Tim Wakefield; reality TV stars, such as former “Bachelor” alum Ben Higgins and “Dancing with the Stars” professional Sharna Burgess; and celebs from the entertainment world like rapper Ja Rule, as well as Tina and Richard Lawson, aka Beyonce’s mother and her actor hubby.
Proceeds from the four-day social event will support a serious cause: David Ortiz Children’s Fund. The nonprofit, founded in 2007, works with hospitals like CEDIMAT and Massachusetts General to provide lifesaving heart surgeries for children in the Dominican Republic and New England. To date, the golf outing has raised US$5 million for the foundation, treating more than 750 children.
More information about reserving packages during the long weekend of luxury can be found at the David Ortiz Children’s Fund site where there are a range of options starting at US$6,500.
https://www.davidortizchildrensfund.org/golflanding/
http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/inside_track/2018/11/david_ortiz_throws_a_big_party
Winter Professional Baseball Championship update
The Gigantes del Cibao came out of the long weekend alone in the first place of the 2018-2019 Dominican baseball regular season. The Gigantes, with a record of 12 games won and 7 lost, lead one and a half games ahead of the Aguilas Cibaeñas (10-8). Next in the standings is the Leones del Escogido team with a record of 10-9, followed by the Toros del Este with 9-9, the Estrellas Orientales 9-10 and the Tigres del Licey 6-13.
Follow the tournament at http://www.lidom.com/home/
Evening of merengue: Sergio Vargas and Miriam Cruz
Sergio Vargas and Miriam Cruz will be taking the stage of the Barcelo Santo Domingo (former Lina Hotel) on Friday, 9 November 2018. The two legendary merengue singers will be performing their best hits and several duos. Tickets for sale at Uepa Tickets and CCN, Supermercados Nacional and Jumbo. This is a Ramses Peralta production.