The Leon Jimenes Group, with full-page advertisements in all of today?s newspapers, expressed their point of view on the current issues of government, tax reform and economics. The conglomerate is one of the largest and strongest private companies in the Dominican economy, owning Marlboro cigarettes, Presidente beer, Sherman Williams paints, the Aurora cigar factory and the Banco Leon, among other interests. It is rare to see a private company express its concerns so visibly. Signed by Jose Leon, the current president of the company, the message says that the current unresolved situation is threatening the DR?s future. As it delves straight to the heart of the matter, the declaration says that the critical issues are not the fault of any one government, but rather the lack of effective decisions regarding the way in which the country handles its resources. The group rejects any short-term solutions and argues for structural changes that would lessen the problems in the poorest sectors, rehabilitate the finances in the public sector, re-establish investor confidence and reactivate the economy in order to create jobs and prosperity. The declaration calls for three criteria to be applied to all institutional measures, casting aside party and ideological issues: transparency, fairness and justice.
In calling for a new economic model to fulfill the aspirations of all Dominicans, the group says that they are here, as always, and will share their vision of this model:
A reduction in the size of government and less spending by means of an austere and sober handling of the budget.
More government income by way of selling off properties and imposing a tax system that is broad-based, simple to understand, transparent and fair.
Revitalization of the financial situation at the Central Bank by gradually eliminating the quasi-fiscal debt and lowering interest rates to competitive levels in the market.
A restructuring of the energy sector in order to correct the current issues and put an end to the blackouts that are a great barrier to Dominican development.
Placement of effective measures to serve as incentives for investment and to solidify the legal positions of those who have invested in the country, thus creating more and better jobs.
The group says they are presenting this program to the public in the hopes that it will help put an stop to the half-way solutions and improvisations that have been the norm in the past. The hope is for a real institutional and structural change that will permit the future that all Dominican are hoping for.