President Leonel Fernandez is bullish on 2006. “This year 2006, it is obvious that we are starting out in a better position compared to 2005. You will remember that in 2005 the IMF forecast a growth rate of 2.5% and we are ending the year way above that initial forecast,” he said, speaking at the traditional 1 January ceremony at the Presidential Palace. “What I am looking forward to is that in 2006 we can consolidate many of the achievements of 2005, which we call the year of recovery.” He stressed that having come from a deep economic and social crisis, “we have achieved the stability that the country needed.”
President Leonel Fernandez named 2006 the Year of Job Creation. He told the press at the event that by combining economic growth, stability and jobs, progress for all could be achieved.