2007 – Page 29

Business representatives are reiterating their demand that the government stop tolerating the forced monopoly on cargo transport. They say this affects costs considerably and reduces their competitiveness. The presidents of the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE), the Federation of Industrial Associations (FAI) and the National Federation of Traders and Entrepreneurs (FENACERD), Joel Santos, Ignacio …

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According to UASD University law professor Dinorah Gomez, 99.1% of students commit plagiarism at least once each semester. This astounding figure is leading university professors to try and combat the new habit of “cut and paste” among college students. Hoy writes that many college professors are now forcing students to present their assignments and final …

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According to Enrique de Marchena Kaluche, president elect of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), stagnation in the Dominican tourist sector and reduced local investment into the country’s hotels are two tourism trends for 2007. Marchena says that between January and October 3,294,012 tourists (2,830,6610 foreigners) visited the DR, which is almost exact same number as …

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The government has revoked a contract signed by businessmen Jose Cabrera Castillo with the Corporacion Hotelera, a division of the Ministry of Tourism, as reported in Hoy. Eric Hazim, director general for the implementation of the new Law on Governmental Contracts said the contract, which was granted without a tender, violated the law. As reported …

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Dozens of people rushed to the Santiago Promipyme office yesterday in the hope of getting a job. Many of them were former casual laborers and free trade zone workers. Yesterday it was announced that 20,000 jobs in the Program for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Businesses would be available to qualified candidates. Diario Libre reports that …

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The transport unions and the government haven’t yet reached an agreement on halting the threatened fare hike, but drivers have begun to install the new dual fuel systems that combine diesel and gas to power their vehicles. Three vehicles, including a Fenatrano truck and two Conatra buses, will be used as trial vehicles to see …

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Leptospirosis, which last week was on the verge of reaching epidemic status in the DR, is finally under control, according to health officials. Even so, officials are warning people to continue taking preventive measures. A total of 29 people have died, while 350 were infected. Health officials are still concerned about the spread of conjunctivitis …

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Santo Domingo District Attorney Jose Hernandez Peguero has revealed that 80% of violent crimes reported in the last year were committed with a legally owned gun. In September 195 murders were reported, of which 131 were committed using a gun. The DA said that the number of violent crimes has gone down during 2007. Between …

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In yesterday’s baseball action the Estrellas finally beat Licey for the first time this season and ended their eight-game losing streak, the longest in the team’s history. The Estrellas had 11 hits and won the game by a score of 8-4. In other baseball action the Toros blanked the Aguilas 3-0, although the Aguilas are …

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The government will subsidize regular diesel by eliminating the 16% VAT tax on the fuel. This step is being taken in an attempt to keep fares and cargo transportation fees at present levels. At the current price levels for diesel, taxes are RD$17.55 for the VAT and RD$14.24 for other taxes included in the Hydrocarbon …

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