Diario Libre reports that the Dominican Republic collected over US$1 billion in direct foreign investment during 2003. The information comes from Danilo del Rosario, the head of the Center for Exports and Investment (CEI-RD), who, at the same time, was predicting investments to the tune of US$2.755 billion for 2004, along with the creation of 15,000 new jobs. The CEI-RD figures for 2003 show the creation of 12,550 new jobs and office offer a sharp contrast to the Central Bank figures that reported a 0.4% decrease in the GDP and a significant rise in unemployment. Del Rosario said that tourism received the largest investment with US$259.8 million of the total of US$1 billion invested here. Telecommunications, energy, and commercial and industrial areas were the next most important areas. The United States accounted for 43% of investments (US$433.1 million), followed by Spain with 13% (US$140 million).