The economic team of the PRD, told Hoy newspaper in an interview said that if the PRD wins the coming presidential election, the government would increase social spending from 6 to 9 or 10% in relation to the GDP. Speaking for the PRD were Frank Guerrero Prats, Ernesto Mangual, Eugenio Martín Taveras and Iván Rodriguez Batista and Rafael Calderon. They promised social spending would represent 50% of the total government expenditures. He said government would reduce import tariffs to no less than 20%. He said they would increase the value-added tax (ITBIS) from 8 to 10%. He said the PRD is committed to give more priority to promoting exports, and not imports. In an interview at Hoy newspaper, they said they would change the present model of adjustment and stability for one of real development that would bring with it a redistribution of income. He criticized the government for investing in megaprojects. The PRD government would continue to give priority to the tourism, free zone, communications and construction industries. But PRD economists say they would also focus on farming, industry, mining and small and mid-sized business.
