2008 – Page 197

Ecuador has announced that beginning Friday, 20 June, any traveler from any country may visit without needing a visa. The new rules were laid out by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Relations, Trade and Integration. Eduardo Duran, the Ecuadorian Charge de Affaires in the Dominican Republic made the announcement here. According to the note, Ecuador …

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Expo Mango 2008 opens in Bani tomorrow. Growers, exporters and industrialists are joining together to celebrate the mango season, and this provides a rare opportunity to see and taste all the varieties of mango grown in the Dominican Republic. Visits to model mango farms are also on offer, and business opportunities or other possibilities could …

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The Dominican Republic and the Republic of South Korea are continuing to increase their commercial ties. According to Listin Diario, the trade balance for 2007 favored the Dominican Republic by US$6 million on US$126 million in trade. According to Kwon Sun-hung, the representative of the Korean Agency for the Promotion of Investment and Commerce (KOTRA), …

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There appears to be a structural failure in the Hydrocarbons Law 112-00. The DR is hurting under the burden of its increasing oil import bill, but ironically, the government benefits when more fuel is sold. Thus, the government has ironically little incentive to discourage gas consumption, as reported in Listin Diario. In the DR, 12.5% …

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The DR has to pay Venezuela US$4.04 million in interest on the PetroCaribe fuel agreement by the end of the year and must pay US$18.7 million in interest for 2009. The Hacienda Ministry says that every time the Dominican Refinery (REFIDOMSA) receives fuel from Venezuela it pays 60% of the cost in cash. The remaining …

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According to Ignacio Espaillat, president of the National Gasoline Wholesalers Association (ANADEGAS), gas pump sales so far this year are half of what they were in 2006, reflecting consumers feeling the crunch of escalating prices. According to Espaillat, stations that sold 100,000 gallons per month in 2006 are now selling 50,000 gallons of fuel. Espaillat …

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House and apartment sales have declined by 60% in recent months, according to a report in Hoy. The pace of construction has also slowed by 50% over the same period of time. Nevertheless, Jaime Gonzalez, president of the Constructors and Housing Promoters Association (ACOPROVI), says that real estate sales have maintained a steady pace in …

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Labor Minister Jose Ramon Fadul says that a cooperation agreement between the DR and Spain is still valid. The agreement enables Dominican workers to go and work in Spain on temporary visas, but officials say that the increase in cheap labor in Spain and the failure of the Spanish authorities to get Dominicans to return …

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The Pharmaceutical Representatives, Agents and Producers Association (ARAPF) says that the illicit/forged medicine market is valued at an estimated RD$800 million and is ever increasing. This announcement comes after the Ministry of Public Health admitted that it doesn’t have the technical support to stop the trafficking of fake medicines. Fernando Ferreria says that fake medicines …

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Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Education Minister Alejandrina German defended the “quality and safety” of the drink purchased from local suppliers for the public school breakfast program nationwide. TV journalist Nuria Piera showed two laboratory results of tests carried out on school milk from Ladom, principal supplier to the Ministry of Education, with the …

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