At the risk of being crucified,here is a suggestion
If you're asking what can the DR do to try to save its economy, here is a suggestion. Do what Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela and other South American countries are doing, cut deals with Asia, the Middle East, and India.
As China and India rapidly industrialize, they are wrecking a lot,(HUGE tracts) of their agricultural land. They are building themselves into economic/industrial power houses,at the expense of their own farmers. They have lots of cash. And they need to feed 1 billion plus populations. If South American countries are successfully seeking out new markets in these countries, why can't the DR? China is ruining tremendous amounts of farm land for industrial uses, it's importing huge amounts of agricultural products now.
China and India need huge amounts of minerals to fuel there economies. The DR has some mineral deposits. It looks like the DR is already cutting deals in that area with the Chinese. Why not aggressively pursue deals in agriculture?
Resist free trade. Some countries in Latin America openly oppose it. Chavez in Venezuela is the loudest, but many other South American countries agree with him, to various degrees. (Whether they are as open about that is a different matter.) Perhaps the DR should fall in with the South American nations?
The DR can just drag its feet. I realize that the DR is fragile and that the US is leaning on a lot of countries to cave in, but, there are still ways around it. Just drag it out and make excuses. "Sorry President Bush, we are so disorganized here, we won't be able to meet the requirements to join the free trade zone." I don't think it would difficult to play that game with the mess the DR is in.
China is already looking around the DR for investments and mineral resources. Why not pursue agricultural deals as well?
Then there are the wealthy Gulf States. If Brazil can sell them food, so can the DR.
I realize this could cause problems with the US, but playing the free trade game with America will cause the DR tremendous problems as well.
Why not try to make the DR attractive to Chinese tourists?
I spent a couple of months in France this year, and Asian tourists were much more noticable than ever before. All the posh department stores offered Mandarin Chinese language guides/catalogs. The Museums I visited had Chinese language literature as well. Europe already recognizes that the Chinese monied classes are the next big thing in tourism. Perhaps the DR should seek out the Chinese tourist dollars as well?
America is a declining power. No doubt. I think it is in the DR best interests to look for new trade partners.
Or, we can just sign on with CAFTA and hope the DR doesn't end up going down the same road as Haiti's economy.
If you're asking what can the DR do to try to save its economy, here is a suggestion. Do what Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela and other South American countries are doing, cut deals with Asia, the Middle East, and India.
As China and India rapidly industrialize, they are wrecking a lot,(HUGE tracts) of their agricultural land. They are building themselves into economic/industrial power houses,at the expense of their own farmers. They have lots of cash. And they need to feed 1 billion plus populations. If South American countries are successfully seeking out new markets in these countries, why can't the DR? China is ruining tremendous amounts of farm land for industrial uses, it's importing huge amounts of agricultural products now.
China and India need huge amounts of minerals to fuel there economies. The DR has some mineral deposits. It looks like the DR is already cutting deals in that area with the Chinese. Why not aggressively pursue deals in agriculture?
Resist free trade. Some countries in Latin America openly oppose it. Chavez in Venezuela is the loudest, but many other South American countries agree with him, to various degrees. (Whether they are as open about that is a different matter.) Perhaps the DR should fall in with the South American nations?
The DR can just drag its feet. I realize that the DR is fragile and that the US is leaning on a lot of countries to cave in, but, there are still ways around it. Just drag it out and make excuses. "Sorry President Bush, we are so disorganized here, we won't be able to meet the requirements to join the free trade zone." I don't think it would difficult to play that game with the mess the DR is in.
China is already looking around the DR for investments and mineral resources. Why not pursue agricultural deals as well?
Then there are the wealthy Gulf States. If Brazil can sell them food, so can the DR.
I realize this could cause problems with the US, but playing the free trade game with America will cause the DR tremendous problems as well.
Why not try to make the DR attractive to Chinese tourists?
I spent a couple of months in France this year, and Asian tourists were much more noticable than ever before. All the posh department stores offered Mandarin Chinese language guides/catalogs. The Museums I visited had Chinese language literature as well. Europe already recognizes that the Chinese monied classes are the next big thing in tourism. Perhaps the DR should seek out the Chinese tourist dollars as well?
America is a declining power. No doubt. I think it is in the DR best interests to look for new trade partners.
Or, we can just sign on with CAFTA and hope the DR doesn't end up going down the same road as Haiti's economy.
You'll have the Americans on us like a ton of bricks and I'm trying real hard to keep the nationalities out of this. 