The Financial Times has just published a report about the Dominican Republic. The report can be accessed online free of charge over the next week. The report highlights the stabilizing of the economy, the renewed relationships with foreign creditors and the bringing to order of fiscal accounts by the Fernandez administration after what it calls “the disastrous administration of Hipolito Mejia.” It points out that the economy has revived and that Fernandez enjoys high popularity ratings. It also points out that the local manufacturing industry is under fierce pressure from Chinese competition and that agriculture remains in the doldrums. The report states that the main challenge is to create more jobs and ease poverty levels. The contents of the section are:
– Order and stability bring hopes of prosperity
– Leonel Fernandez: From left-wing past to the voice of reason
– Energy: Why power to the people remains but a dream
– Tourism: Sights set firmly on big-spending US visitors
– Banking: Tougher regulation brings more confidence
– Offshore centre: Ambitious idea to take on the world
– Marketing: Selling sexy cigars and gourmet chocolate
– Sport: Where dreams create hope
– DR-Cafta: Negotiation opens opportunities
– Remittances: Diaspora helps pay the bills
– Haitians: Cane cutters seek sweet life
– Free zones: Employment shrinks in the textile sector
To read the report, see http://news.ft.com/reports/dominicanrepublic2006