2003 – Page 46

At least 73 people have died of hemorrhagic dengue fever this year, according to the national epidemiology institute. Director Luis Lara said that although the cases still need to be investigated in order to confirm the cause of death, the mortality rate seemed high. He felt the number of cases and consequent deaths to be …

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The Dominican Republic’s female volleyball selection lost to Brazil at the world championships in Nagoya, Japan. In a five-set match in which the Dominican women put up a valiant fight against their Brazilian rivals, the final scores were 17-25, 25-18, 24-26, 26-24 and 15-7. The highest scorer was the DR’s Yudelkys Batista with 23 points, …

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Today’s headlines report happy monetary news, principally the anticipated return of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team. The Listin Diario’s Jose Javier reports that Central Bank officials revealed that the IMF mission would arrive in the Dominican Republic Monday, 10 November, at which time the resumed discussions would focus on the economic stabilization program to …

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The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will disburse as much as US$400 million over the next three to four months. According to Moises Pineda, the local IDB representative, these funds are destined to strengthen the financial sector and to assist with social programs and will become available now that some of the issues identified by the …

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Another top story in today’s papers is the report that the National Private Business Council (CONEP) submitted its proposals to replace the 10% exchange commission to President Mejia last Monday. CONEP’s proffered strategy suggests that Congress institute a temporary 10% tax on imports, to be lifted on 30 April, 2004. It also recommends the urgent …

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The head of the European Development Fund office in Santo Domingo announced a donation of 54 million euros to assist basic education programs. Manuel Caceres Troncoso told the press that the resources would be channeled through the National Indicative Program for 2002-2007. The money is part of the effort to reduce poverty. Caceres said that …

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The Santiago business community has made itself explicitly clear: Either they find their own solution to the energy crisis, or they will continue “crossing Niagara Falls on a bicycle”, as the saying goes. Apparently, the local business leaders have opted for Plan A. Alternatives could include the construction of a generating facility in the area …

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According to the director of the Dominican Sugar Institute (INAZUCAR), Severo de Jesus Ovalle, the Dominican government is proposing to institute measures that would require a 22% alcohol content in local gasoline. This would form part of a program to diversify the sugar industry, now at one of its lowest points. The INAZUCAR official also …

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In today’s El Caribe, Pedro Silverio, the head economist at the Cenantillas economic think tank, says there are some strange numbers floating around. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL) has forecast that Latin American economies will grow by 1.5%, while the Dominican economy, according to the IMF, will shrink by 3%. …

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President Hipolito Mejia returned to Santo Domingo last night, having spent two days in Panama to attend that country’s centenary celebrations. President Mejia held bilateral meetings there with various international leaders, including his Chinese counterpart, Chen Shui Ban. He also met with IDB president Enrique Iglesias and signed a limited trade agreement with the Panamanian …

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