In its front page story today, El Siglo newspaper points out the contradiction in the present focus of the government and 2001 economic development realities. Journalist Miguel Febles speculates that President Mejia will find a very different Taiwan than the one he knew from his days as Minister of Agriculture (1978-1982) and during his estimated 20 visits as a private businessman to that country. As in the DR, Taiwan has evolved from a farming nation to one with an economy based on services. The journalist says that six of nine businessmen that will accompany President Mejia are from the farming sector, which reflects a contradiction between what the President envisions for the DR and the present reality. Taiwan has been promoting its service sector, as did former President Leonel Fernandez (1996-2000). Now President Mejia wants to give priority to the local farming sector whose contribution to the economy has been consistently declining at a time when services have been increasing. Farming contributes 11% to the Gross Domestic Product, while the services sector has soared to 70%. Journalist Miguel Febles points out that the government in Taiwan has reoriented that island into a center for communications, shipping and telecommunications. For more information on the trip, see http://www.dr1.com/daily/news032101.shtml
