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Next DR1 Daily News Update: Monday, 3 June 2019
Medina in San Isidro Free Zone for the opening of new ERC location
Medina meets new UNDP representative Inka Mattila
Remittances boost Dominican economy
New documents released on Odebrecht wheeling and dealing in the Dominican Republic
DR places $2.5 billion in bonds in international capitals market
Dominican Republic is guest country at Miami Fashion Week
Chinese Embassy to investigate complaint of poor quality pipes
Lucrative charcoal contraband threatens to deplete Dominican forests
Southcom's Tradewinds 2019 set for Bahia Las Calderas
Pepina, the turtle was born in Manresa, Santo Domingo and made it to Venezuela
Police announce real-time background checks
Hugo Beras: Lighting up cities would significantly reduce crime
DR loses to Serbia in Volleyball Nations League
Niní Cáffaro and Rafael Solano present: Romance sobre el Jaragua
Maridalia, Fefita and Milly at the Teatro La Fiesta
Next DR1 Daily News Update: Monday, 3 June 2019
The next DR1 Daily News update will be published on Monday, 3 June 2019. The Monday issue will compile headline news for the previous Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Breaking news can be followed 24/7 in the DR1 Forums. See DR1 Forum at https://dr1.com
Medina in San Isidro Free Zone for the opening of new ERC location
President Danilo Medina was at the inauguration of the ERC business process outsourcing (BPO) operation and call center in the San Isidro Free Zone in eastern Santo Domingo on Wednesday, 29 May 2019.
The 52,500 square-foot facility is regarded as one of the most modern in the Caribbean, and is home to 34 multinational companies. The venture is set to bring 1,000 new jobs to the area.
This is ERC's second facility in Santo Domingo. The new location is approximately 30 minutes away from their current installation and strategically closer to the Las Americas International Airport. The company names the city's ample labor pool and robust infrastructure as reasons for the expansion.
ERC is an agile, technology-driven company that provides business process outsourcing (BPO) and account recovery services for Fortune 500 companies.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...a-franca-san-isidro-que-generara-1000-empleos
http://www.ercbpo.com/
Medina meets new UNDP representative Inka Mattila
President Danilo Medina met Inka Mattila, the new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) director at the Presidential Palace on Monday, 27 May 2019. She paid a courtesy visit upon her recent arrival to the country to replace Lorenzo Jiménez de Luis. Mattila is a Finnish economist who previously was UNDP adjunct director for Colombia (2014-2019).
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...ecibe-nueva-representante-del-pnud-en-el-pais
https://acento.com.do/author/imatilla/
Remittances boost Dominican economy
Remittances are a very valuable source of foreign exchange for the Dominican economy. The Central Bank reports having received US$1.7 billion in payments during the first quarter of 2019. This compares to US$1.5 billion in 2018, for a relative increase of around 10.4% for January to March 2019, or US$161.8 million more.
Most Dominican remittances come from the United States and Spain. The large numbers of Dominicans residing there generously contribute to their family welfare by regularly sending home large sums of cash.
https://www.eldinero.com.do/84057/e...d-crece-un-10-43-en-primer-trimestre-de-2019/
New documents released on Odebrecht wheeling and dealing in the Dominican Republic
Transparency International Brazil presented on 29 May 2019 further information for tracking the progress of grand corruption cases in nine Latin America involving Odebrecht, the Brazilian civil construction company. The "Lava-JOTA" documents that are available online include ample details on the Dominican operation. The other countries documented are Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.
The documents were compiled in a joint project between Transparency International Brazil, Proética (TI Peru) and JOTA, a journalism start-up focused on the Brazilian judiciary. The project also had the help of Digesto, a company that processes and analyses data on millions of Brazilian legal procedures.
In his testimony, company president Marcelo Odebrecht recounts the transfer of Odebrecht's Structured Operations Sector (which was responsible for handling bribe payments), in 2014, to the Dominican Republic to evade Operation Car Wash's investigations in Brazil. He also tells how the transfer of the company's corporate link to Panama was done to prevent information from passing through the United States.
The report mentions that the Dominican Republic is the only country of the nine involved in the US$92 million Odebrecht corruption scandal that made an agreement with the Brazilian Odebrecht corporation and not with the public prosecutor's office of Brazil. The Dominican deal was signed by Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez in April 2017.
On 2 November 2017, the prosecutor would request authorization to interrogate witnesses of the Odebrecht case in Brazil, but Dominican prosecutors never traveled to Brazil to do so. Defense lawyers of the seven men on trial say this invalidates the evidence that had been shared by Odebrecht for use by state prosecutors after a New York court determined Odebrecht paid in US$92 million in bribes to secure government contract work in the Dominican Republic. Supreme Court Judge Francisco Ortega Polanco has set 21 June 2019 as the date for announcing whether the case has sufficient merit to continue or will be filed.
Regarding the Dominican Republic, Transparency International Brazil reveals that the company's illegal activities began during the President Hipólito Mejia administration, between 2000 and 2004, when businessman Angel Rondón was hired to obtain advantages within the Dominican government. The report states that for more than a decade, Rondón was the middleman for at least 18 projects in the country. It explains that the businessman distributed bribes to people in various levels of the Executive and Legislative Branches. The online documentation states that in exchange, Odebrecht would be awarded the projects and would pay bribes to Rondón worth 3% of the public contracts' cost. Among these contracts are the installation of the Hermanas Mirabal and Samaná aqueducts and the Punta Catalina's thermoelectric plant. Dominican prosecution excluded the Punta Catalina case from investigation until the power plant is completed.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...tar-con-odebrecht-y-no-con-fiscales-de-brasil
https://www.jota.info/especiais/int...he-odebrecht-case-dominican-republic-29052019
DR places $2.5 billion in bonds in international capitals market
The Ministry of Finance reported on 29 May 2019 that the government of the Dominican Republic has placed new international capital market bonds for an amount of US$2.5 billion. The issue was made in a bond denominated in seven-year local currency for RD$50,523 million (US$1,000 million) and another in 30-year US dollar for US$1.5 billion.
"The placement is part of this year's Financing Plan, duly appropriated and approved in Law No. 61-18, which approves the National Budget 2019, as well as in Law No. 64-18 on Public Debt Securities," explained the Ministry in a press release.
The government says the resources will allow the fulfillment of the year's investment plan and to meet government obligations.
As reported, the transaction in local currency was made at an interest rate or coupon of 9.75%, while the 30-year issue was made at a rate of 6.492%, "the lowest coupon rate issued by the country for this term".
The structuring banks were J.P. Morgan and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
https://www.nasdaq.com/article/book...ar-bond-breach-us4bn-investors-20190529-00915
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...e-dolares-en-mercado-internacional-AC12891331
Dominican Republic is guest country at Miami Fashion Week
Dominican fashion designers are participating in the 4th Miami Fashion Week (MIAFW) that is happening 29 May to 2 June 2019 in Miami, Florida. The DR is the guest country host for the fashion week that is regarded as the second largest fashion event in the United States. The Ministry of Tourism is a sponsor of the Dominican participation and activities to highlight Dominican culture are being held at the event.
As reported, throughout the week, MIAFW will host three exclusive Dominican Republic-inspired runway shows with acclaimed Dominican designers. These are on Sunday, 2 June, Jenny Polanco and men's guayabera-designer Arcadio Díaz at 5pm, followed by Jacqueline Then at 6:30pm. Giannina Azar at 8pm will wrap-up the 2019 runway with her summer and fall collections. Jewelry designer Monica Varela is also exhibiting her eccentric art creations during a scheduled influencer brunch.
"Fashion is an extension of our rich artistic culture and we are proud to be home to some of the most iconic and innovative designers in the world," said Magaly Toribio, marketing advisor for the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. "We are thrilled to be collaborating with Miami Fashion Week to showcase our Dominican heritage and influence at this star-studded, international platform."
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dominican-culture-shine-2019-miami-191022105.html
Chinese Embassy to investigate a complaint of poor quality pipes
The People's Republic of China Embassy said it would investigate comments made by the Dominican Republic Association of Industries (AIRD) and Proconsumidor consumer protection agency that Chinese companies are operating in violation of Dominican labor laws and are manufacturing poor quality pipes.
In a press release, the embassy noted that not all companies established by Chinese residents in the country are Chinese companies. The embassy considers that Chinese companies in the Dominican Republic are those that have controls or have received investments from natural persons, legal entities or other organizations within the Chinese territory and that are registered and established by Dominican law in the Dominican territory.
The Chinese Embassy says that the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Dominican Republic, economic and commercial ties have developed expeditiously based on mutual benefit and shared profit.
"The Chinese Embassy in the Dominican Republic is willing to collaborate with the Dominican authorities to maintain market order and fair competition on the principle of impartiality, justice, transparency and non-discrimination," said the embassy.
The Chinese Embassy assures that the Chinese government requires Chinese companies and compatriots overseas to operate by the law, respect local customs and fulfill their social responsibilities.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...a-investiga-denuncia-de-tuberias-mala-calidad
Lucrative charcoal contraband threatens to deplete Dominican forests
The Ministry of Defense director of Plans and Operations, General Santo Domingo Guerrero Clase says that tops on the priorities of the Dominican Army is the preservation of the Artibonito River Basin on the border with Haiti. The river basin is the water source for the most important river in Haiti.
"While it is born in our territory, the Artibonito flows primarily through Haiti, and even feeds their Peligre Hydroelectric. If we do not prevent its degradation, we are going to end up with even greater migration to the Dominican Republic due to matters of subsistence," said General Guerrero Clase. As part of conservation efforts, the Army says it has planted 31,000 trees on the border. Mango trees are planted because the Haitians preserve these for the fruits.
The Ministry of Defense assigns RD$301 million to border security and RD$11.84 million to environmental protection of the 380-km border with Haiti. Much of the border security goes to combatting the illegal production of charcoal and fuelwood. The report reveals that the forestry coverage in Haiti is barely 4%, compared to 40% in the Dominican Republic. But the pressing need for the firewood and charcoal works against reforestation efforts by the Army.
According to the Environmental Challenges in the Border Zone, a study carried out by the United Nations Environmental Programme, with contributions by the governments of Norway and Finland, an estimated 75% of the Haitian population still rely on firewood and charcoal for their daily energy needs.
Given the high levels of deforestation in Haiti, most of the fuelwood is now being produced in the Dominican Republic and smuggled into Haiti for local consumption and global exports. According to the report, charcoal produced in Dominican territory and exported to Haiti is at more than 50,000 tons per year, a trade valued at over US15 million when estimating the ton at US$300. Most of the contraband takes place around the Azuei and Enriquillo lakes, and is concentrated in Boca de Cachón, Las Lajas, Tierra Nueva, Puerto Escondido and Bahoruco.
The illegal trade in charcoal is around 22,170 tons or 362,000 bags per year, which is more than the domestic consumption of charcoal in the Dominican Republic, estimated at 310,00 bags.
The Army reports closing five kilns for manufacturing charcoal and seizing 5,104 bags of charcoal in the first quarter of 2019. This is more than the 4,981 charcoal bags that were confiscated all throughout 2018, according to the Army.
This trade is the main driver causing deforestation on the Dominican side of the border zone. The transborder charcoal trade is a significant challenge to the Army brigades in charge of patrolling the border with Haiti, according to a report in El Dia. Some 8,500 men are stationed on the border, divided into three infantry brigades, six infantry battalions, 68 army posts, 21 companies and 35 detachments.
https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/h...Rep_border_zone_EN.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://eldia.com.do/la-desertificacion-un-enemigo-que-enfrenta-el-ejercito-en-la-frontera/
Southcom’s Tradewinds 2019 set for Bahia Las Calderas
The Dominican Republic is hosting the first phase of the US Southern Command Tradewinds 2019 maritime security and disaster response exercise from 30 May to 8 June 2019. Military from 22 Caribbean, US and European countries will be participating in the exercise. Since 22 May participants have begun to arrive, said Brigade General Santo Domingo Guerrero Clase, who is director of Plans and Operations for the Ministry of Defense (MIDE). The event is centered on the Las Calderas Naval Base in south central Peravia province.
The exercise focuses on humanitarian assistance, maritime security, disaster relief and field training. It is sponsored by the US Southern Command every year to strengthen security and fight organized crime in the Caribbean region. The second phase will take place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines from 14-20 June.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...d-sera-sede-ejercicios-militares-de-22-paises
Pepina, the turtle was born in Manresa, Santo Domingo and made it to Venezuela
As part of local marine conservation efforts under the Ministry of Environment and the National Aquarium, a GPS was installed in several turtles that were born on Dominican shores. That is how on 11 September 2018, the GPS came to be installed in Pepina, whose name honors her sponsor, businessman Pepín Corripio.
The effort is part of the study and conservation of marine turtles under the Autoridad Nacional de Asuntos Marinos (Anamar) the Grupo Jaragua and fishermen of the Manresa beach in Santo Domingo province to help preserve the species.
The installed Wild Life Computers transmitter enables the giant Chelonia mydas turtle to be followed. After laying her eggs in Manresa, on 12 October 2018, the transmitter revealed that the green turtle left the Caribbean waters for South America. Eleven days later, Pepina had arrived to Los Roque archipelago in Venezuela, some 160 km from the capital city, Caracas. It is an important protected area with more than 300 islands and cays. The turtle traveled over 800 km to get to Venezuela.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...una-tortuga-verde-de-santo-domingo-MD12881850
Police announce real-time background checks
The National Police is implementing a new integrated identification system whereby law enforcement agents have access to identify anyone in real-time by comparing a person’s fingerprints and faces against those in the Central Electoral Board (JCE) database.
Police director, Major General Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte reports that the new tool (Sistema Integrado de Identificación Ciudadana y Depuración Biométrica) makes it possible for police to do background checks of people, their IDs, vehicles and firearms on site. In the past, people had to be arrested and taken to police posts.
The new device weighs less than a pound and consists of a camera lens, an optical scanner and a smartphone application enabled for biometric analysis and identification.
This application was developed by the National Police to make possible automated consultations to the Central Electoral Board (JCE) national system of fingerprint identification and facial recognition. The system includes a database with biometric finger and facial records of more than 10 million people, in addition to the ability of comparing and identifying faces.
http://hoy.com.do/policia-podra-depurar-sin-ir-a-cuartel/
http://z101digital.com/policia-presenta-sistema-biometrico-para-depurar-ciudadanos-al-instante/
Hugo Beras: Lighting up cities would significantly reduce crime
The PRD pre-candidate to mayor for the National District Hugo Beras presented a plan for a trust that would finance the installation of 34,000 light posts in 5,774 street blocks over a 21-month period. He said that better lighting in cities such as New York cut crime by 30% in 2015; in London by 40%; in Rio de Janeiro by 36% and Buenos Aires by 39%. He forecast crime would drop at last 30% in the National District. Beras argued that dark streets are the perfect setting for criminals. He also promised to enhance municipal security through the municipal police corps and ensure safety in city parks.
Incumbent city mayor David Collado of the opposition PRM party recently spearheaded an effort to light up the sea-fronting Malecón. Shortly after new lighting was installed, much of these were stolen.
The 2020 municipal election is scheduled for 16 February 2020.
http://z101digital.com/hugo-beras-delincuencia-se-reduciria-en-un-30-con-una-ciudad-iluminada/
https://www.hugoberas.com/
DR loses to Serbia in Volleyball Nations League
The Dominican Republic is now in 11th place in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League championship. Playing in Italy, in the second half of the round robin, the DR lost to Serbia. The DR is ranked 10th in the world by FIVB, while Serbia is ranked first. The Dominican Republic won one of four sets. The scores were: 25-17, 18-25, 25-12 and 25-19.
The Dominican Republic has yet to play team USA (ranked 3rd) on 30 May 2019 at 11am, Dominican time.
The Dominican women’s volleyball team then travels to Bangkok, Thailand where the team will match Turkey (12th) on 4 June, Thailand (14th) on 5 June and Bulgaria (16th) on 6 June.
https://www.volleyball.world/en/vnl...9.1313082768.1559215238-1791822030.1558527289
Niní Cáffaro and Rafael Solano present: Romance sobre el Jaragua
The director of the National Theater, Niní Cáffaro is teaming up with Maestro Rafael Solano for an evening of memorable songs and merengue and bolero dancing. The concert will be on Friday, 31 May 2019 at the Teatro La Fiesta of the Renaissance Jaragua Hotel.
Solano is best known for the “Por Amor” song that Cáffaro sang in 1968 to win the Dominican Festival of Popular Song. The repertoire for the evening is the memorable merengues and boleros of the second half of the 20th century. Maestro Solano said the evening will cater to those who are 50+.
An 18-musician Moon Band will accompany Solano and Cáffaro.
The event is a production by Skypro Entertainment Group.
General admission is RD$2,000. Tickets are for sale online at Uepa Tickets and Ticket Express, and at the Supermercados Nacional and Jumbo stores.
https://listindiario.com/entretenim...reviviran-las-canciones-de-mitad-del-siglo-xx
Maridalia, Fefita and Milly at the Teatro La Fiesta
Maridalia Hernández, Fefita La Grande and Milly Quezada, will present “La Tría” on the stage of the Teatro La Fiesta of the Jaragua Renaissance Hotel this coming 28 June 2019. The show builds on the success of their first collaboration, “La pimiento es la que pica”.
Medina in San Isidro Free Zone for the opening of new ERC location
Medina meets new UNDP representative Inka Mattila
Remittances boost Dominican economy
New documents released on Odebrecht wheeling and dealing in the Dominican Republic
DR places $2.5 billion in bonds in international capitals market
Dominican Republic is guest country at Miami Fashion Week
Chinese Embassy to investigate complaint of poor quality pipes
Lucrative charcoal contraband threatens to deplete Dominican forests
Southcom's Tradewinds 2019 set for Bahia Las Calderas
Pepina, the turtle was born in Manresa, Santo Domingo and made it to Venezuela
Police announce real-time background checks
Hugo Beras: Lighting up cities would significantly reduce crime
DR loses to Serbia in Volleyball Nations League
Niní Cáffaro and Rafael Solano present: Romance sobre el Jaragua
Maridalia, Fefita and Milly at the Teatro La Fiesta
Next DR1 Daily News Update: Monday, 3 June 2019
The next DR1 Daily News update will be published on Monday, 3 June 2019. The Monday issue will compile headline news for the previous Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Breaking news can be followed 24/7 in the DR1 Forums. See DR1 Forum at https://dr1.com
Medina in San Isidro Free Zone for the opening of new ERC location
President Danilo Medina was at the inauguration of the ERC business process outsourcing (BPO) operation and call center in the San Isidro Free Zone in eastern Santo Domingo on Wednesday, 29 May 2019.
The 52,500 square-foot facility is regarded as one of the most modern in the Caribbean, and is home to 34 multinational companies. The venture is set to bring 1,000 new jobs to the area.
This is ERC's second facility in Santo Domingo. The new location is approximately 30 minutes away from their current installation and strategically closer to the Las Americas International Airport. The company names the city's ample labor pool and robust infrastructure as reasons for the expansion.
ERC is an agile, technology-driven company that provides business process outsourcing (BPO) and account recovery services for Fortune 500 companies.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...a-franca-san-isidro-que-generara-1000-empleos
http://www.ercbpo.com/
Medina meets new UNDP representative Inka Mattila
President Danilo Medina met Inka Mattila, the new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) director at the Presidential Palace on Monday, 27 May 2019. She paid a courtesy visit upon her recent arrival to the country to replace Lorenzo Jiménez de Luis. Mattila is a Finnish economist who previously was UNDP adjunct director for Colombia (2014-2019).
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...ecibe-nueva-representante-del-pnud-en-el-pais
https://acento.com.do/author/imatilla/
Remittances boost Dominican economy
Remittances are a very valuable source of foreign exchange for the Dominican economy. The Central Bank reports having received US$1.7 billion in payments during the first quarter of 2019. This compares to US$1.5 billion in 2018, for a relative increase of around 10.4% for January to March 2019, or US$161.8 million more.
Most Dominican remittances come from the United States and Spain. The large numbers of Dominicans residing there generously contribute to their family welfare by regularly sending home large sums of cash.
https://www.eldinero.com.do/84057/e...d-crece-un-10-43-en-primer-trimestre-de-2019/
New documents released on Odebrecht wheeling and dealing in the Dominican Republic
Transparency International Brazil presented on 29 May 2019 further information for tracking the progress of grand corruption cases in nine Latin America involving Odebrecht, the Brazilian civil construction company. The "Lava-JOTA" documents that are available online include ample details on the Dominican operation. The other countries documented are Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.
The documents were compiled in a joint project between Transparency International Brazil, Proética (TI Peru) and JOTA, a journalism start-up focused on the Brazilian judiciary. The project also had the help of Digesto, a company that processes and analyses data on millions of Brazilian legal procedures.
In his testimony, company president Marcelo Odebrecht recounts the transfer of Odebrecht's Structured Operations Sector (which was responsible for handling bribe payments), in 2014, to the Dominican Republic to evade Operation Car Wash's investigations in Brazil. He also tells how the transfer of the company's corporate link to Panama was done to prevent information from passing through the United States.
The report mentions that the Dominican Republic is the only country of the nine involved in the US$92 million Odebrecht corruption scandal that made an agreement with the Brazilian Odebrecht corporation and not with the public prosecutor's office of Brazil. The Dominican deal was signed by Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez in April 2017.
On 2 November 2017, the prosecutor would request authorization to interrogate witnesses of the Odebrecht case in Brazil, but Dominican prosecutors never traveled to Brazil to do so. Defense lawyers of the seven men on trial say this invalidates the evidence that had been shared by Odebrecht for use by state prosecutors after a New York court determined Odebrecht paid in US$92 million in bribes to secure government contract work in the Dominican Republic. Supreme Court Judge Francisco Ortega Polanco has set 21 June 2019 as the date for announcing whether the case has sufficient merit to continue or will be filed.
Regarding the Dominican Republic, Transparency International Brazil reveals that the company's illegal activities began during the President Hipólito Mejia administration, between 2000 and 2004, when businessman Angel Rondón was hired to obtain advantages within the Dominican government. The report states that for more than a decade, Rondón was the middleman for at least 18 projects in the country. It explains that the businessman distributed bribes to people in various levels of the Executive and Legislative Branches. The online documentation states that in exchange, Odebrecht would be awarded the projects and would pay bribes to Rondón worth 3% of the public contracts' cost. Among these contracts are the installation of the Hermanas Mirabal and Samaná aqueducts and the Punta Catalina's thermoelectric plant. Dominican prosecution excluded the Punta Catalina case from investigation until the power plant is completed.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...tar-con-odebrecht-y-no-con-fiscales-de-brasil
https://www.jota.info/especiais/int...he-odebrecht-case-dominican-republic-29052019
DR places $2.5 billion in bonds in international capitals market
The Ministry of Finance reported on 29 May 2019 that the government of the Dominican Republic has placed new international capital market bonds for an amount of US$2.5 billion. The issue was made in a bond denominated in seven-year local currency for RD$50,523 million (US$1,000 million) and another in 30-year US dollar for US$1.5 billion.
"The placement is part of this year's Financing Plan, duly appropriated and approved in Law No. 61-18, which approves the National Budget 2019, as well as in Law No. 64-18 on Public Debt Securities," explained the Ministry in a press release.
The government says the resources will allow the fulfillment of the year's investment plan and to meet government obligations.
As reported, the transaction in local currency was made at an interest rate or coupon of 9.75%, while the 30-year issue was made at a rate of 6.492%, "the lowest coupon rate issued by the country for this term".
The structuring banks were J.P. Morgan and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
https://www.nasdaq.com/article/book...ar-bond-breach-us4bn-investors-20190529-00915
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...e-dolares-en-mercado-internacional-AC12891331
Dominican Republic is guest country at Miami Fashion Week
Dominican fashion designers are participating in the 4th Miami Fashion Week (MIAFW) that is happening 29 May to 2 June 2019 in Miami, Florida. The DR is the guest country host for the fashion week that is regarded as the second largest fashion event in the United States. The Ministry of Tourism is a sponsor of the Dominican participation and activities to highlight Dominican culture are being held at the event.
As reported, throughout the week, MIAFW will host three exclusive Dominican Republic-inspired runway shows with acclaimed Dominican designers. These are on Sunday, 2 June, Jenny Polanco and men's guayabera-designer Arcadio Díaz at 5pm, followed by Jacqueline Then at 6:30pm. Giannina Azar at 8pm will wrap-up the 2019 runway with her summer and fall collections. Jewelry designer Monica Varela is also exhibiting her eccentric art creations during a scheduled influencer brunch.
"Fashion is an extension of our rich artistic culture and we are proud to be home to some of the most iconic and innovative designers in the world," said Magaly Toribio, marketing advisor for the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. "We are thrilled to be collaborating with Miami Fashion Week to showcase our Dominican heritage and influence at this star-studded, international platform."
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dominican-culture-shine-2019-miami-191022105.html
Chinese Embassy to investigate a complaint of poor quality pipes
The People's Republic of China Embassy said it would investigate comments made by the Dominican Republic Association of Industries (AIRD) and Proconsumidor consumer protection agency that Chinese companies are operating in violation of Dominican labor laws and are manufacturing poor quality pipes.
In a press release, the embassy noted that not all companies established by Chinese residents in the country are Chinese companies. The embassy considers that Chinese companies in the Dominican Republic are those that have controls or have received investments from natural persons, legal entities or other organizations within the Chinese territory and that are registered and established by Dominican law in the Dominican territory.
The Chinese Embassy says that the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Dominican Republic, economic and commercial ties have developed expeditiously based on mutual benefit and shared profit.
"The Chinese Embassy in the Dominican Republic is willing to collaborate with the Dominican authorities to maintain market order and fair competition on the principle of impartiality, justice, transparency and non-discrimination," said the embassy.
The Chinese Embassy assures that the Chinese government requires Chinese companies and compatriots overseas to operate by the law, respect local customs and fulfill their social responsibilities.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...a-investiga-denuncia-de-tuberias-mala-calidad
Lucrative charcoal contraband threatens to deplete Dominican forests
The Ministry of Defense director of Plans and Operations, General Santo Domingo Guerrero Clase says that tops on the priorities of the Dominican Army is the preservation of the Artibonito River Basin on the border with Haiti. The river basin is the water source for the most important river in Haiti.
"While it is born in our territory, the Artibonito flows primarily through Haiti, and even feeds their Peligre Hydroelectric. If we do not prevent its degradation, we are going to end up with even greater migration to the Dominican Republic due to matters of subsistence," said General Guerrero Clase. As part of conservation efforts, the Army says it has planted 31,000 trees on the border. Mango trees are planted because the Haitians preserve these for the fruits.
The Ministry of Defense assigns RD$301 million to border security and RD$11.84 million to environmental protection of the 380-km border with Haiti. Much of the border security goes to combatting the illegal production of charcoal and fuelwood. The report reveals that the forestry coverage in Haiti is barely 4%, compared to 40% in the Dominican Republic. But the pressing need for the firewood and charcoal works against reforestation efforts by the Army.
According to the Environmental Challenges in the Border Zone, a study carried out by the United Nations Environmental Programme, with contributions by the governments of Norway and Finland, an estimated 75% of the Haitian population still rely on firewood and charcoal for their daily energy needs.
Given the high levels of deforestation in Haiti, most of the fuelwood is now being produced in the Dominican Republic and smuggled into Haiti for local consumption and global exports. According to the report, charcoal produced in Dominican territory and exported to Haiti is at more than 50,000 tons per year, a trade valued at over US15 million when estimating the ton at US$300. Most of the contraband takes place around the Azuei and Enriquillo lakes, and is concentrated in Boca de Cachón, Las Lajas, Tierra Nueva, Puerto Escondido and Bahoruco.
The illegal trade in charcoal is around 22,170 tons or 362,000 bags per year, which is more than the domestic consumption of charcoal in the Dominican Republic, estimated at 310,00 bags.
The Army reports closing five kilns for manufacturing charcoal and seizing 5,104 bags of charcoal in the first quarter of 2019. This is more than the 4,981 charcoal bags that were confiscated all throughout 2018, according to the Army.
This trade is the main driver causing deforestation on the Dominican side of the border zone. The transborder charcoal trade is a significant challenge to the Army brigades in charge of patrolling the border with Haiti, according to a report in El Dia. Some 8,500 men are stationed on the border, divided into three infantry brigades, six infantry battalions, 68 army posts, 21 companies and 35 detachments.
https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/h...Rep_border_zone_EN.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://eldia.com.do/la-desertificacion-un-enemigo-que-enfrenta-el-ejercito-en-la-frontera/
Southcom’s Tradewinds 2019 set for Bahia Las Calderas
The Dominican Republic is hosting the first phase of the US Southern Command Tradewinds 2019 maritime security and disaster response exercise from 30 May to 8 June 2019. Military from 22 Caribbean, US and European countries will be participating in the exercise. Since 22 May participants have begun to arrive, said Brigade General Santo Domingo Guerrero Clase, who is director of Plans and Operations for the Ministry of Defense (MIDE). The event is centered on the Las Calderas Naval Base in south central Peravia province.
The exercise focuses on humanitarian assistance, maritime security, disaster relief and field training. It is sponsored by the US Southern Command every year to strengthen security and fight organized crime in the Caribbean region. The second phase will take place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines from 14-20 June.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...d-sera-sede-ejercicios-militares-de-22-paises
Pepina, the turtle was born in Manresa, Santo Domingo and made it to Venezuela
As part of local marine conservation efforts under the Ministry of Environment and the National Aquarium, a GPS was installed in several turtles that were born on Dominican shores. That is how on 11 September 2018, the GPS came to be installed in Pepina, whose name honors her sponsor, businessman Pepín Corripio.
The effort is part of the study and conservation of marine turtles under the Autoridad Nacional de Asuntos Marinos (Anamar) the Grupo Jaragua and fishermen of the Manresa beach in Santo Domingo province to help preserve the species.
The installed Wild Life Computers transmitter enables the giant Chelonia mydas turtle to be followed. After laying her eggs in Manresa, on 12 October 2018, the transmitter revealed that the green turtle left the Caribbean waters for South America. Eleven days later, Pepina had arrived to Los Roque archipelago in Venezuela, some 160 km from the capital city, Caracas. It is an important protected area with more than 300 islands and cays. The turtle traveled over 800 km to get to Venezuela.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...una-tortuga-verde-de-santo-domingo-MD12881850
Police announce real-time background checks
The National Police is implementing a new integrated identification system whereby law enforcement agents have access to identify anyone in real-time by comparing a person’s fingerprints and faces against those in the Central Electoral Board (JCE) database.
Police director, Major General Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte reports that the new tool (Sistema Integrado de Identificación Ciudadana y Depuración Biométrica) makes it possible for police to do background checks of people, their IDs, vehicles and firearms on site. In the past, people had to be arrested and taken to police posts.
The new device weighs less than a pound and consists of a camera lens, an optical scanner and a smartphone application enabled for biometric analysis and identification.
This application was developed by the National Police to make possible automated consultations to the Central Electoral Board (JCE) national system of fingerprint identification and facial recognition. The system includes a database with biometric finger and facial records of more than 10 million people, in addition to the ability of comparing and identifying faces.
http://hoy.com.do/policia-podra-depurar-sin-ir-a-cuartel/
http://z101digital.com/policia-presenta-sistema-biometrico-para-depurar-ciudadanos-al-instante/
Hugo Beras: Lighting up cities would significantly reduce crime
The PRD pre-candidate to mayor for the National District Hugo Beras presented a plan for a trust that would finance the installation of 34,000 light posts in 5,774 street blocks over a 21-month period. He said that better lighting in cities such as New York cut crime by 30% in 2015; in London by 40%; in Rio de Janeiro by 36% and Buenos Aires by 39%. He forecast crime would drop at last 30% in the National District. Beras argued that dark streets are the perfect setting for criminals. He also promised to enhance municipal security through the municipal police corps and ensure safety in city parks.
Incumbent city mayor David Collado of the opposition PRM party recently spearheaded an effort to light up the sea-fronting Malecón. Shortly after new lighting was installed, much of these were stolen.
The 2020 municipal election is scheduled for 16 February 2020.
http://z101digital.com/hugo-beras-delincuencia-se-reduciria-en-un-30-con-una-ciudad-iluminada/
https://www.hugoberas.com/
DR loses to Serbia in Volleyball Nations League
The Dominican Republic is now in 11th place in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League championship. Playing in Italy, in the second half of the round robin, the DR lost to Serbia. The DR is ranked 10th in the world by FIVB, while Serbia is ranked first. The Dominican Republic won one of four sets. The scores were: 25-17, 18-25, 25-12 and 25-19.
The Dominican Republic has yet to play team USA (ranked 3rd) on 30 May 2019 at 11am, Dominican time.
The Dominican women’s volleyball team then travels to Bangkok, Thailand where the team will match Turkey (12th) on 4 June, Thailand (14th) on 5 June and Bulgaria (16th) on 6 June.
https://www.volleyball.world/en/vnl...9.1313082768.1559215238-1791822030.1558527289
Niní Cáffaro and Rafael Solano present: Romance sobre el Jaragua
The director of the National Theater, Niní Cáffaro is teaming up with Maestro Rafael Solano for an evening of memorable songs and merengue and bolero dancing. The concert will be on Friday, 31 May 2019 at the Teatro La Fiesta of the Renaissance Jaragua Hotel.
Solano is best known for the “Por Amor” song that Cáffaro sang in 1968 to win the Dominican Festival of Popular Song. The repertoire for the evening is the memorable merengues and boleros of the second half of the 20th century. Maestro Solano said the evening will cater to those who are 50+.
An 18-musician Moon Band will accompany Solano and Cáffaro.
The event is a production by Skypro Entertainment Group.
General admission is RD$2,000. Tickets are for sale online at Uepa Tickets and Ticket Express, and at the Supermercados Nacional and Jumbo stores.
https://listindiario.com/entretenim...reviviran-las-canciones-de-mitad-del-siglo-xx
Maridalia, Fefita and Milly at the Teatro La Fiesta
Maridalia Hernández, Fefita La Grande and Milly Quezada, will present “La Tría” on the stage of the Teatro La Fiesta of the Jaragua Renaissance Hotel this coming 28 June 2019. The show builds on the success of their first collaboration, “La pimiento es la que pica”.
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