DR1 Daily News - Thursday, 2 May 2019

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Next DR1 Daily News update on Monday, 6 May 2019
Big drop in parking prices at Las Americas International
Digiworld SRL gets contract for automated voting
Mark Penn-Noticias SIN poll results released
Former President Leonel Fernández invites to mega event on Sunday
Free zone manufacturing boom requires more bilingual operators
ANJE focuses on the impact that security has on business climate
China celebrates first year of diplomatic relations with the DR
Scotiabank sells its pension business in DR
Boycott against Ars Humano is on
Corruption at the Intrant?
Complaints that medical students had access to residency test results beforehand
Guillermo Piña Contreras wins book fair award
SQL Saturday in Santo Domingo
Dominican models star in Dior cruise runway show in Morocco



Next DR1 Daily News update on Monday, 6 May 2019
The next DR1 Daily News update will be published on Monday, 6 May 2019. Headline news over the weekend will be compiled for the Tuesday issue. Breaking news can be posted on the DR1 Forums that are open 24/7 at https://dr1.com


Big drop in parking prices at Las Americas International
Leaving your car at Las Americas International Airport will soon be cheaper than taking a taxi. Starting Monday, 6 May 2019, those using the short-term and long duration parking areas at the Las Americas International Airport will benefit from new attractive prices and enhanced safety with better lighting.

Aerodom-Vinci Airports, operators of the country’s second most visited airport, say that new automatic payment machines installed accept credit cards.

Monika Infante, general director of Aerodom, proudly announced the new rates and explained the idea is to provide users with modern, efficient and safe service.

Among the changes implemented is a new return route along the Ruta 66 that leads to the airport. The access road commemorates Sammy Sosa’s 66th homerun in 1998 when he played for the Chicago Cubs.

Aerodom highlights that the new rates make it cheaper and safer to leave a vehicle parked at the airport than to arrive in a private vehicle or taxi. The rates are scaled depending on the duration of the use of the parking. The rates, for instance, have dropped for a two hour visit from RD$160 at present to RD$100. A three-day parking stay will now cost RD$1,200, that is less than the cost of any taxi service.

The new rates (in effect Monday, 6 May 2019) are:
Short stay duration:
0 to 2 hours: RD$100
2 to 3 hours: RD$200
3 to 4 hours: RD$290
4 to 5 hours: RD$380
5 to 6 hours: RD$470
6 to 7 hours: RD$560
7 to 8 hours: RD$630
8 to 9 hours: RD$700
9 to 10 hours: RD$770
10 to 11 hours: RD$840
11 to 12 hours: RD$900
Maximum per day: RD$900

Long term parking:
1 day: RD$700
2 days: RD$1,000
3 days: RD$1,200
4 days: RD$1,400
5 days: RD$1,600
6 days: RD$1,800
7 days: RD$2,000
+ than 7 days: RD$200 per day

Rates effective until Sunday, 5 May 2019:
RD$40 per 30 minutes.
RD$960 maximum price per day.

https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ifas-y-podran-pagarse-con-tarjetas-de-credito


Digiworld SRL gets contract for automated voting
The Central Electoral Board (JCE) announced that Digiworld SRL was selected as the supplier of the new equipment for the installation of automated voting systems.

The company won tender JCE-CCC-LPI-01-2019 and will supply 55,000 machines for a total cost of US$19,943,000. Other participating companies were IQtek Solutions, Prodacom, Mixcorp, Multicomputos and Omega Tech.

Digiworld, SRL will supply 11,000 equipment to identify voters; 11,000 automated voting equipment, 11,000 thermal receipt printers (sales points); 11,000 barcode readers; 11,000 portable inverters.

The JCE has said the electronic devices will be used in the primaries scheduled for 6 October 2019, in time to test the equipment for the 2020 general elections.
https://eldia.com.do/junta-adjudica-contrato-para-equipos-del-voto-automatizado/


Mark Penn-Noticias SIN poll results released
There are contradictory results in the Mark Penn-Noticias SIN poll recently released. The poll was carried out 14 to 17 April 2019 poll. Some 1,007 eligible voters were polled. The survey has a 3.1% margin of error.

To the question: “How satisfied is the country with the government of Danilo Medina?” The poll revealed that 60% gave Medina a satisfactory grade, while 38% answered unsatisfactory. 2% were undecided. This compares to responses of 59%-41% in August 2018, 69%-28% in October 2017, and 82%-16% in April 2016.

Yet, to the question: “Do you believe that the Dominican Republic is on the right or wrong path?” 60% said the country is headed in the right direction, and 35% in the wrong direction.

To the question: “Do you think the main problems of the country will improve?” 47% expect they will improve a lot, but 47% said they believe they will not improve much or anything at all. 6% were undecided. Of those who identified themselves as voting for the ruling PLD party, 63% were optimistic there would be improvements; 53% among those for the opposition party PRM; 51% for independent political parties. 48% of the ruling PLD voters say that there now is more corruption, whereas 88% of the PRM voters gave this answer.

To the question: “For many years the Dominican economy has been growing. Who do you think is benefiting from this growth?” 52% of those polled believe it is the government.

To the question: “Do you believe there is more corruption in the Medina government, or more or less the same corruption as in past years?” 62% said there is more corruption, while 18% said there is less corruption, 16% say the same, and 4% were undecided.

According to the poll, 34% say the growing economy only benefits the government, 18% say it benefits politicians. Men are more optimistic than women. 59% of men feel there is more corruption now than in previous governments, versus to 65% of the women polled.

https://noticiassin.com/encuesta-ma...o-esta-el-pais-con-la-labor-de-danilo-medina/
https://noticiassin.com/legisladores-rechazan-y-favorecen-los-resultados-de-la-encuesta-mark-penn/
http://hoy.com.do/el-48-de-los-pele...erno-hay-corrupcion-segun-encuesta-mark-penn/


Former President Leonel Fernández invites to mega event on Sunday
Followers of former President Leonel Fernández have organized a mega event at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center’s Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium. Organizers say the event is part of efforts to collect 2 million signatures backing the candidacy of Fernández. Reports indicate big name artists have been hired for the event.

Backers of Fernández, former Vice President Rafael Alburquerque, former Attorney General Radhamés Jiménez, and former Public Health Minister Bautista Rojas Gómez, former Minister of Higher Education Ligia Amado Melo, La Romana senator Amarilis Santana and Santiago deputy Altagracia González told Listin Diario that former presidents Ernesto Samper of Colombia and Julio Maria Sanguinetti of Uruguay will be participating.

The Fernandez backers said they have the backing of the local minority parties Fuerza Nacional Progresista (FNP) and the Bloque Institucional Social Democracia (BIS).

The event is in preparation for the 6 October 2019 primaries.

Polls rank President Danilo Medina as the highest rated PLD politician, with Leonel Fernández second, followed by Vice President Margarita Cedeño, Fernández’s wife. The 2015 Constitution bans President Danilo Medina from seeking a third consecutive presidency. Fernández backers oppose an amendment of the 2015 Constitution to enable Medina to run again in 2020.

https://eldia.com.do/bauta-dice-tendran-que-legislar-en-cuartel-para-aprobar-reforma/


Free zone manufacturing boom requires more bilingual employees
The executive director of the National Council of Export Free Zones, Luisa Fernández Durán presenting findings of the 2018 Free Zone Industry The report revealed a pressing need for more bilingual industrial engineers and chemical engineers for the sector.

There are 673 free zone operations in 76 free zone industrial parks located in 25 provinces and the National District. The number of companies grew 4.2% compared to 2017. Of the companies, 40% are from the United States and 22% from the Dominican Republic.

Daniel Liranzo, executive deputy director spoke of the diversity of the free zone operations in the country. He said that Dominican free zones export 1,849 lines of products to 132 countries.

50% of the free zone manufacturing companies are located in the northern region and 23% in the National District and Santo Domingo Province. Another 17% are located in the south and 9.5% in the eastern region.

Free zone companies exported US$6.23 billion in 2019, up 9.1% compared to the previous year. Free zone exports are 57% of total Dominican exports.

The companies employ 171,726 employees, while another 200,000 indirect jobs are created by the value chain. Women make up 50.4% of the jobs, with men 49.6%.

The Dominican Republic is the world's leading exporter of cigars, the second largest exporter of electric switches to the US, the second largest exporter of candles in Latin America, the third largest exporter of wool coats to the US, the third largest exporter of medical instruments to Latin America and the third largest exporter of footwear in Latin America.

https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/05...onas-francas-abren-apetito-de-los-inversores/


ANJE focuses on the impact that security has on business climate
National Young Entrepreneurs Association (ANJE) president Guillermo Julián expressed concern that crime has on the costs, productivity, staff and competitiveness of companies. He spoke on occasion of the release of the document “Reflections on Citizen Insecurity on the Business Climate” that was sponsored by the USAID of the United States government. He said the study makes evident the importance of dialogues to implement new public policies and security prevention programs. “This study makes evident that the micro, small and medium size enterprises are the most affected by the scourge of delinquency, affecting the business climate,” he said.

The goals are to create a new awareness, to generate actions and changes that will be felt in the medium and long term.

During the event, Viviana Riveiro, secretary general of the National District city government; Servio Tulio Castaños, executive vice president of the Foundation for Institutionalism and Justice; and colonel Roberto Hernandez, deputy director of planning and development at the National Police, and general Valerio A. García, rector of the Superior Defense Institute participated in a panel on “Panoramic Vision of Citizen Security.”

https://elnacional.com.do/afirman-inseguridad-sube-costos-empresas/


China celebrates first year of diplomatic relations with the DR
China’s ambassador in the Dominican Republic Zhang Run says that relations between the Dominican Republic and the People’s Republic of China have now moved from “launch phase” to “take off phase”. Run made the statement during an interview with TV hosts Huchi Lora and Amelia Deschamps on El Día, the Channel 11 Telesistema TV morning talk show. He said the country has special interest in the Dominican Republic because the country “has weight in the Central American and Caribbean region.”

Run says the stepping up of relations with the Dominican Republic follows the trend for China to open up to the world. He observed that China for the past 40 years has had diplomatic ties with the United States, and is the leading trading partner with Brazil, Chile and Peru. President Xi Jinping has been on four tours as president of China to Latin America. “It is a natural process,” he says. Latin American region is also living a growth period, the two are complementary in many aspects in this new era, he explained. He stressed that high-level exchanges are important to guide the process.

He admitted to the extraordinarily large trade balance differences between China and the Dominican Republic. He spoke of a doubling of Dominican exports for entire 2018 in the first quarter of 2019. The increase comes from mine and tobacco products, and fresh and processed food products. But imports from China were up a humongous US$2 billion. He acknowledges that an effort has to be made to balance the trade in favor of the Dominican Republic. He expects this to be done with an increase in exports, investment and services.

He spoke of the differences in size and structure. “China is a big country. It is the largest market in the world, and we import much merchandise.”

“More research and marketing efforts are needed, this is not impossible”, he said, referring to finding ways to reduce the Dominican trade deficit with China.

He explained the DR is only a 17-hour flight from China, compared to 23 hours for Chile, which already is the leading exporter of fresh fruits to China, now surpassing China’s nearby neighbor Thailand. He says good prospects for tropical fruits, such as pineapple, mango, cacao and guavas.

Run called the Dominican Republic “a paradise for tourists.” He said that with the signing of relations, the vision is to make the Dominican Republic a “beachhead” for Chinese tour operators. He said Chinese have seen the country in popular movies. He suggested the development of “the route of Columbus.”

He said it is true that traditionally Chinese tourists have been more interested in historic sites and picturesque places, and not so much beach destinations. But he said: “customs are cultivated.” He said Chinese before did not drink coffee, and now they are. He said that Chinese winter beach destinations have been gaining in popularity.

Run spoke of the strength of China in infrastructure, technical capacity, experience and financing capacity. He said business models for participating in construction have been through participation in local companies, concessions or cooperation projects. He said it is less likely Chinese labor will be imported for a Dominican project because the rising GDP in China means that using local manpower is more cost-effective. He said, nevertheless, all companies need to respect local laws.

Regarding involvement in energy projects, Run explained that China has already been involved in private energy projects. He noted the Dominican government has requested a preferential loan for US$600 million, in the framework of international cooperation, to improve the distribution of electricity. He says a technical team has looked into this and is studying the feasibility. [Dominican ambassador in China Briunny Garabito Segura says officers of the CEXIM Bank and the China Cooperation Agency have been in the country and are working on the feasibility study.]

Run addressed the concern over China’s so-called diplomatic depredatory practices. He says Chinese companies are requested by the government of China to give priority to social responsibility, or be penalized by the government. Social acceptance is at the forefront of what China undertakes in the country, he stressed. “We are not going to carry out any project that the society does not accept. All international cooperation projects have to generate a very positive reception. This is very important for our bilateral relations,” he said.

Run encouraged Dominicans to reach out to the embassy. He said there are unlimited opportunities for both countries to work together. “We need all sectors and the talents of the Dominican Republic, this can be a positive initiative for both countries,” he said in his closing words of the interview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9N2eXL1UYY
https://eldia.com.do/briunny-garabi...-promocion-en-china-para-impulsar-desarrollo/


Scotiabank sells its pension business in DR
Grupo Rizek has announced the purchase of the Scotia Crecer AFP and Scotia Seguros, the Scotiabank-owned pension and related insurance businesses. Grupo Rizek is one of the largest and most prominent diversified business groups in the Dominican Republic, with a long-standing reputation in agribusiness and financial services.

"We are pleased and proud to have completed this transaction with Scotiabank's team, during which we were able to confirm that the Bank employs the best financial practices and adheres to the highest local and international standards. We continue to stand behind our commitment to work responsibly, efficiently and rigorously for the benefit of the Dominican economy," said Héctor José Rizek Sued, Grupo Rizek representative.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/scotiabank-completes-sale-pension-related-120000264.html


Boycott against Ars Humano is on
The Dominican Medical Guild (CMD), National Council of Specialized Medical Societies (Conasomep) and the National Association of Clinics and Hospitals (Andeclip) are not accepting ARS Humano medical plans as of Wednesday, 1 May 2019. This affects around 1.5 million participants. ARS Humano is the largest medical plan insurance company in the Dominican Republic.

The boycott of the service went into effect despite the announcement by Labor Minister Winston Santos and Superintendence of Health and Labor Risks (Sisaslril) head Pedro Luis Castellanos that ARS Humano had agreed to comply with the 31 May 2017 agreements signed with the medical representatives. The medical organizations are demanding the agreements of 2017 be met, including increases in fees and tariffs, start of primary care plan with the subsidized regime, and the free election of service by the patients, among other points.

The president of the CMD, Wilson Roa, told the press that after a meeting with Labor Minister Winston Santos and representatives of the ADARS, an agreement was not reached, each only presented proposals. Roa complained that the ARS continues to set aside only RD$262 per consultation for many physicians.

Former CMD president Waldo Suero said the government will not amend the Social Security Law so as to not confront big business. He said this is despite the fact that the Executive Branch sent to Congress an amendment to Law 87-01 on Social Security. He said if Medina really wanted to change the law he would meet with the Political Committee to agree on the changes and order these changes be drafted by majority PLD legislators, just as he did when he wanted to be reelected. “He is not going to do it because it is not politically convenient,” he said. He said the Social Security Law 87-01 was drafted to benefit big business and bankers and that the social security system in the Dominican Republic has collapsed.

Meanwhile, the general manager of the National Social Security Council (CNSS), Rafael Perez Modesto, disputed a recent public statement by the Dominican Association of Health Risk Administrators (ADARS), the association that groups medical plan administrators. ADARS had said that the claims made by the medics and clinics are decided by CNSS. CNSS says that they have no contractual or financial relationship with the providers. “The role of the CNSS is to draft the policies and norms of the Dominican Social Security System,” he stated. He explained that the way the system works is that the physicians and other health service providers sign contracts with the Health Risk Administrators (ARS), who in turn are regulated and supervised by Sisalril. Perez Modesto said that the Sisalril is the competent government organization to resolve the impasse between the ARS the medical groups.

ARS Humano said plan members that are affected can call their call center 24/7 at 809 476-3535 in Santo Domingo and 1 809 200-4903 outside Greater Santo Domingo.

https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/05...ce-acuerdo-anunciado-por-ministro-de-trabajo/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz8X_426bnI - Huchi Lora
https://noticiassin.com/afiliados-a-ars-humano-quedan-sin-cobertura-por-boicot-en-los-servicios/
http://z101digital.com/waldo-suero-...guridad-social-para-no-enfrentar-empresarios/
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/05...tas-no-veran-afiliados-ars-si-no-hay-acuerdo/


Corruption at the Intrant?
Investigative reporter Alicia Ortega revealed in her El Informe con Alicia Ortega talk show irregularities in the contracting of an expansion of the traffic lights system for the National District and the Santo Domingo Province. Competitors not awarded the contract complain that the Institute for Ground Transport and Traffic (Intrant) customized the tender in order to benefit a particular company. Neither the winners of the contract, nor the Government Procurement Agency, responded to inquiries by Ortega.

https://elinformeconaliciaortega.co...el-sistema-de-redes-de-semaforos-en-el-gsd-2/


Complaints that medical students had access to residency test results beforehand
The Medical Residences Committee of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo - UASD) confirmed that a select number of aspirants to residencies who sat for the standardized test had previously received answers to most of the questions. Antonio Castro Rodríguez, spokesman for the committee, showed El Caribe and CDN reporters copies of the test and how 133 aspirants of 5,000 that took the test had the same high grades. He said that hours before the test was given on Sunday, 3 March 2019, photos of the test and the answers were circulating on social media.

He called for the Crime and High Tech Crimes Division of the Police (Dicat) and the Ministry of Education (Mescyt) authorities to investigate and for the 3 March test results to be annulled.

The test is to decide from around 5,000 graduates which 1,000 will be undergoing residencies in public hospitals.

https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/05...nuncia-medicos-tenian-respuestas-de-examenes/


Guillermo Piña Contreras wins book fair award
Ambassador Guillermo Piña Contreras was awarded the Eduardo León Jimenes 2019 National Book Fair Award for his novel “La reina de Santomé”. He is the Dominican ambassador to the Netherlands and is based in The Hague.

The novel had been launched this year at the Madrid Book Fair. It recreates life in the province of San Juan de la Maguana in the mid 1900s during the Trujillo dictatorship. The award comes with a RD$1 million cash award. His daughter Pamela Piña received the award from Culture Minister Eduardo Selman at a ceremony at the National Library on 1 May 2019. The award is sponsored by the Eduardo León Jimenes Foundation and the Cervecería Nacional Dominicana, the Presidente beer brewery.
The voting jurors this year were Juan Daniel Balcácer, Ylonka Nacidit Perdomo and Alejandro Arvelo.

Born in Santo Domingo in 1952, Piña Contreras is a recognized writer and diplomat. He has been Dominican ambassador in Argentina, France, and Morocco. He is a member of the Dominican Language Academy. He was appointed ambassador to the Netherlands in 2014.

http://hoy.com.do/guillermo-pina-gana-premio-feria-del-libro-2019/
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...la-el-reinado-de-angelita-trujillo-LJ12390391

See more Santo Domingo Book Fair events at: https://dr1.com/programa_general_filsd_2019.pdf


SQL Saturday in Santo Domingo
The Universidad UFHEC in Santo Domingo presents the Santo Domingo version of the international SQL Server event, SQL Saturday. Speakers are from the United States, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Spain, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. This is the first time the event is held in the Dominican Republic.

SQLSaturday is a one-day free training event for Microsoft Data Platform professionals and those wanting to learn about SQL Server, Business Intelligence and Analytics. This event will be held on 25 May 2019 at Universidad Federico Henriquez y Carvajal, Av. Maximo Gómez Esq. Cesar Nicolas Penson, La Esperilla, Santo Domingo. Activities are scheduled from 8:30am to 5:30pm. Admission is RD$500 to cover lunch.

Those interested need to register:
https://www.sqlsaturday.com/876/eventhome.aspx


Dominican models star in Dior cruise runway show in Morocco
Seven Dominican models were chosen for the Christian Dior Resort 2020 collection fashion show in Marrakech, Morocco. Dominican models Lineisy Montero, Anyelina Rosa, Hiandra Martínez, Kimberly Gelabert, Licett Morillo, Manuela Sánchez and Annibel Báez were chosen for the show. The participation of the Dominicans was highlighted in People en Español.

https://peopleenespanol.com/ponte-b...icanas-hacen-historia-desfile-dior-marruecos/
https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/resort-2020/christian-dior
https://listindiario.com/la-vida/2019/05/01/563577/dominicanas-destacan-en-pasarela
 
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