The governor of the Central Bank, Hector Valdez Albizu forecast that the DR economy will grow 6-6.5% next year, while inflation will be 4-4.5%. In 1999, the Gross Domestic Product grew 8.3% compared to 1998, and inflation was 5.9%. Valdez estimated that gross international reserves this year should increase to US$976 million, up from US$876 in 1999. He said that most of the growth will come from tourism, commerce, construction, telecommunications and industry, with the exception of the sugar industry. He said that he does not expect the presidential election to have a major effect on the economy.
