2006 – Page 342

Computers are included in the items that are now subject to the 16% ITBIS (VAT) sales tax. Others are fish fillet, codfish, herring, lobster, shrimp, crabs, cheeses (with the exception of fresh cheese), grapes, sardines, tomato sauce, vinegar, salt, toothpaste, detergent, and matches. The tax office (DGII) reports that the 13% exchange surcharge has been …

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Journalist Juan Bolivar Diaz explains the real and subjective reasons that have triggered a series of price increases locally. He explains that the subjective reasons bore more weight, as in the past fiscal reform has always spelled increases in prices. This time around, matters worsened when the government said it would keep the exchange reform …

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Santo Domingo’s Maximo Gomez Avenue is undergoing an “urban metamorphosis”, according to Listin Diario. Construction work for the metro is taking place on six different locations along the thoroughfare. Excavation work has begun at stations that will be located near the Ministry of Education, the National Theater, the Olympic Center, Americo Lugo Street, the National …

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The president of the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC), James Moss-Solomon will be visiting the Dominican Republic between 15-18 January 2006 for meetings with Dominican businessmen. His first visit to the country as president of CAIC is part of the Round Table of the Commonwealth Countries in the Dominican Republic’s work towards fostering …

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President Leonel Fernandez has extended the Security Plan (Seguridad Democratica), which was initially implemented as a pilot program in Santo Domingo’s Capotillo district, to 12 neighborhoods in the northern part of the city. The plan is aimed at reducing crime. According to a report in Diario Libre, the President believes that the DR is now …

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Fighting crime has become a priority in the DR. From a country where people used to be able to leave their doors open, the Dominican Republic has become the sort of place where citizens have to be on constant alert for crime. Diario Libre publishes figures from the Department of Statistics of the Attorney General’s …

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Armed Forces Minister Admiral Sigfrido Pared Perez has said that the recent events in Haiti have not caused disturbances on the border, but that he has given instructions for soldiers to be alert, as reported by Diario Libre. Haiti remains unstable, and this has been aggravated by recent developments such as the suspension of the …

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The National Drug Control Department (DNCD) arrested Porfirio Antonio Hernandez Henriquez yesterday in the municipality of Licey al Medio. Hernandez is wanted by the US for committing bank fraud. He is the first extraditable detainee of the year, according to a report in El Caribe. No further information was released about the case.

PRD, PRSC and the PRI have expressed support for the proposal made by Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) president Jorge Subero Isa with the aim of reaching a political and social pact. The parties believe that that initiative will serve to tackle themes such as corruption, citizens’ insecurity, poverty and the lack of health and …

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Cardinal Nicolas Lopez Rodriguez has stated that several “European and North American” powers are trying to “abusively” impose unacceptable conditions on the DR when it comes to Haitian immigration, according to a report by El Caribe. The prelate admits however, that there is no “authentic” migratory policy in the country with regards to the neighboring …

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