A series of associations representing the banking, hotel, export and free zone sectors are asking the Dominican people to maintain their confidence and optimism in the face of the economic crisis affecting the country. In the press release, the various associations say it is important to recognize that the economy has shown signs of strength, as indicated by the US$464 million surplus in the balance of payments, the 22% growth in tourism and almost 6% growth in trade for free zones, and significant increase in remittances from abroad. The business associations also point out that companies providing hard currencies have voluntarily agreed to make sizeable payments to assist the government succeed in securing the IMF agreement. Emilio Lapayese, the Hoy page two columnist, criticized the associations, calling their press release an insult to the country. He says in Sunday’s column “100 words” that the statement made by the hotel, banking, free zone and export industries is unfair. Those who must not think like this are the employees of these companies, who earn “indecent” salaries. Lapayese says the call for optimism insults nearly all Dominicans and most offends those who want for food or the un-acquirable medicines. He calls it “a cruel joke on common sense.”