The Dominican foreign debt has risen by more than 75% during the last four years, hitting US$6.448 billion during the first half of 2005. This is up from US$3.679 billion in the year 2000. These numbers were released by the Ministry of Finance Department of Public Credit, and show a total increase of US$2.769 billion over the past four year period, an average of US$615 million per year. However, on a more positive note, the statistics also show an increase in the hard currency reserves that exceeds 200% from a year ago. From US$577 million in 2004, the reserves have now reached US$1.773 billion. In spite of the influx of United States dollars, the Central Bank cannot let them flow into the local exchange market, according to El Caribe, because the IMF accords “prohibit” this move.