2003 – Page 71

Last month’s earthquake caused RD$160 million worth of material damage to public, private and commercial premises in the northern city of Santiago, and has left between 170 and 200 families homeless, according to Edwin Vargas of the northern branch of engineers’ association CODIA. The Red Cross has warned people not to stay in damaged houses, …

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In a study based on the US census of 2000, Dominicans are the fourth largest minority group of Latino origin in the country as a whole, and the second largest in New York City. Mexicans comprise by far the largest group, accounting for 58% of the total Hispanic population, followed by Puerto Ricans with 10% …

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All events scheduled for this week and next will have to compete with US Major League baseball for many people’s attentions. Wherever one is, from Monte Cristi to Higuey, it seems there is a radio or TV nearby, tuned in to see Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez, or David Ortiz as they make their star appearances …

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President Hipolito Mejia received four ships to be used to patrol the coastal waters of the Dominican Republic. The “Altair”, a GC-11, is brand new and just delivered from the Swiftships boatyard in Morgan City, Louisiana. The patrol boats “Bellatrix” GC-106, “Canopus” GC-107 and “Procion” GC-103 were all rebuilt at Swiftboats, a major military contractor …

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The Listin Diario reports that the government is studying the feasibility of an increase to the ITBIS tax, from the current 12% to 15%. According to a report from the Ministry of Finance, the tax reform is “indispensable” and it lists four possible scenarios. The first would be one in which 15% is applied to …

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Last night the Senate approved a first reading on the 2% tax to be levied on all imports. During the reading, the Senate modified the tax bill to extend its application until 31 December 2004. The senators also voted to legalize the increase of the exit tax from US$10 to US$20. A second reading, however, …

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The government, represented by Finance Minister Rafael Calderon, has conditioned any further payments to Cogentrix, the generation facility in San Pedro de Macoris, to the renegotiation of the current contract. According to non-official sources, the Listin Diario reports that the debt owed amounts to US$18 million. Meanwhile, the president of the Senate commission on energy, …

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This week’s column in El Caribe by leading economist Pedro Silverio refers to a business without a future. Silverio is talking about the government’s recent purchase of Edenorte and Edesur. He opens by saying that the wave of privatization of state-run enterprises began in the 80s, as a result of the mounting evidence then of …

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The Economist Intelligence Unit, in its 7 October news analysis, writes that “given the deterioration of the country’s economy, it appears inconceivable that Mr Mejia will win re-election in 2004.” EIU says that the Mejia administration “has refused to trim the bloated state-sector payroll to curb spending, eyeing next year’s presidential elections.” Furthermore, the research …

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The seven PRD pre-candidates vying for the party’s presidential nomination with the incumbent President Mejia have decided to postpone the nationwide plebiscite that had been scheduled for this Sunday. The new date for the party’s national referendum on presidential re-election is now set for Saturday, 19 October. President Mejia praised the move as a step …

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