President Hipólito Mejia committed the Dominican Republic to support Taiwan in international organizations. The DR has traditionally voted in favor of Taiwan. In the same joint statement Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian signed with President Mejia, the latter committed to finance five development projects totaling US$200 million, as reported in El Siglo newspaper. The newspaper also reports that following President Mejia meeting in Taiwan, Eva Air said it would send a commission to Santo Domingo to explore the possibility of helping Dominicana Airlines (CDA), the bankrupt state airline, to fly again. Likewise, El Siglo reports that Evergreen executives told President Mejia they are interested in exploiting cruise ship tourism in the DR. As part of his five-day stay in Taiwan, President Mejia met with around 200 Taiwan businessmen at an event coordinated by the Taiwan Foreign Ministry and the Dominican Office for the Promotion of Investments. At the meeting, President Mejia highlighted the Dominican climate of investments, preferential trade schemes, and opportunities for the installation of informatics, ecommerce, telemedicine, operation centers and specialized manufacturing in the DR. He highlighted the availability of skilled and non-skilled labor, excellent telecommunications systems, and the nation’s advantageous geographic position as center of the Caribbean. President Mejia promoted building industries along the frontier with Haiti, as these enjoy special tax conditions. He also promoted the new Santo Domingo Cyberpark. Listin Diario reports that the Taiwan businessmen conditioned their investments in the DR to the country improving its power system and the opening of the banking system so as to make available lower interest rates. President Mejia said his government is authorizing new investments in hydroelectric power generation and wind energy that are expected to make power less costly in the DR. For an updated report from the Taiwan press on the visit of President Mejia, see http://www.chinatimes.com.tw//english/ebusines/90032604.htm
