President Luis Abinader is in the New York area for a series of encounters with the Dominican diaspora and to attend the 76th United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, 22 September 2021. He returns on Thursday, 23 September. An estimated 1.5 million Dominicans live in the New York area. New York is regarded as the second largest Dominican city and its voters could decide any Dominican presidential election.
On Sunday, 19 September, President Abinader pitched the first ball at the Mets vs. Phillies game at the Citi Field. The Mets defeated the Phillies 3-2.
President Abinader also participated in an event organized by the Dominicans Abroad Institute (Index), a government entity, during which 37 Dominican expats were recognized. Speaking during the activity, the President committed to combat impunity and corruption in government. He said public officers know today that they have to act with transparency and honesty because there is an independent public ministry and the controller office that are watching. He said his government is working to foster stronger institutions. He warned that things in the Dominican Republic could get worse, but this is a step before things get better.
“Government money needs to be used with honesty and transparency and I will not resign this promise, no matter what it costs. I will not resign this commitment I have made with the Dominican people,” he said.
President Luis Abinader gave thanks to Dominicans abroad for the sustaining of the Dominican economy during the pandemic and to this day. Record remittances are boosting the economy. A new record of US$872 million has been received in August 2021, breaking levels of remittances in August 2019 and 2020. US$10 billion in remittances are forecast for this 2021, an all time record amount.
In his talk at the Index, Abinader mentioned that he is in favor of removing the red tape that de facto taxes Dominicans US$10 when flying into the Dominican Republic. He also favored the reducing of taxes on airline tickets to foster increased travel to foster more travel of Dominicans and tourists to the country.
On 20 September, President Abinader is scheduled to participate in the World Leaders Forum at Columbia University and an exhibition at the City College of New York. On Tuesday, 21 September, the government council of ministers will focus on measures to favor Dominican expats. President Abinader said that the government will hold a virtual council of ministers.
Abinader has traveled with First Lady Raquel Arbaje, Foreign Relations Minister Roberto Alvarez and Administrative Minister of the Presidency Jose Ignacio Paliza. The Dominican mission to the United Nations is head by Ambassador Jose Blanco. He is also attending meetings with Dominican Ambassador to the United States, Sonia Guzmán.
At the start of his trip on Saturday, the talk of the day was the flight Abinader took to New York. Social media was full of remarks about the decision of President Luis Abinader to fly economy on a regular Delta flight to New York City. There is much speculation if this first trip will become the rule, or just the exception. In the past, government officers have regularly flown business or first class passing the bill to Dominican taxpayers. Dominican Presidents in the past have taken private jets on most of their trips.
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20 September 2021