US dollars were reaping more pesos yesterday, but market experts believe the increase just reflects the difficulties to the market caused by the terrorist attack on NY. Exchange houses were buying dollars at RD$16.90 to RD$17.00, while commercial banks were offering RD$16.55 to RD$16.95. The official buy rate is RD$16.66. Meanwhile, commercial banks were selling dollars for RD$17.72 and RD$17.80, including the 5% exchange commission. Augusto Peignand, president of the Dominican Association of Exchange Agents (Adocambio), explained that the climb was due to the paralysis of checks en route to the US following the grounding of airplanes. He explained the exchange houses accumulated checks for four days without being able to deposit the ones stuck in Santo Domingo. He added that the market also was affected by the decline in dollars in circulation due to a drop in passenger arrivals.
