1999 – Page 244

In his address to the International section of France’s top business body, Le Mouvement des Enterprises de France (MEDEF, still referred to by many by its pre-October 1998 name, "Le Patronat"), President Fern?ndez declared that a top goal of his government is to attract US$1 billion in new foreign direct investment (FDI) to the DR. …

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At yesterday’s state lunch in President Fern?ndez’s honor, French Cooperation Minister Charles Jossel?n suggested that international organizations should participate in joint development projects involving the DR and Haiti. The Dominican President politely but firmly responded that his government opposes any international organization or foreign government trying to impose joint projects or agreements on the DR …

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Already possessing one of the jobs with the best benefits in the DR, it appears that Republic’s 30 Senators want more. The news daily Hoy, citing a reliable inside source, reports that the Senate is proposing to give each Senator a double-cabin light truck to use as they please, a 100% raise in their travel …

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The Dominican Electricity Corporation (CDE) plans to invest around RD$4 billion by the year 2003 in expanding electric transmission and distribution lines, CDE Administrator Radh?mes Segura revealed yesterday. The investment is necessary to provide the DR with a modern and efficient electrical grid. Asked by the news daily El Siglo how CDE plans to finance …

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In the wake of this week’s bidding for concessions to privately manage four of the nation’s airports, many reporters asked the National Airport Commission why Santiago and Herrera airports were not included in the bidding. Commission President Rafael Serrano Bank explained yesterday that while studies about the future of each have been concluded, no final …

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In results just released to the press, a December 7-14, 1998 poll of voters belonging to the Reformista Party (PRSC) found that businessman and former Vice President Jacinto Peynado is their favorite to be the PRSC presidential candidate in the year 2000, but that most expected ex-President Dr. Joaqu?n Balaguer to be nominated instead. The …

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Amid continuing warnings and rumors about trouble at the January 26 General Assembly of Municipalities, Interior and Police Minister Ram?n Andr?s Blanco Fern?ndez announced yesterday that his Ministry would take charge of preparations and supervision of the Assembly in order to ensure "order and discipline." The Assembly is due to vote on the next President …

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Yesterday the judge in charge of investigating the 1994 disappearance and presumed murder of university law professor Narciso Gonz?lez ("Narcisazo") halted interrogations of military officials and asked that several others be blocked from leaving the country. Narcizaso, a vocal critic of then-President Balaguer, was rumored to have been picked up by agents of the Dominican …

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Just one day after the President of the Dominican Agro-business Board (JAD), an agro-business association, called for dissolution of the National Price Stabilization Institute (INESPRE), government officials announced plans to transform the body. A technical expert of the Presidential Commission for State Reform, Porfirio Quezada, explained to the press that his body is close to …

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Senate Finance Committee Chairman Dar?o G?mez Mart?nez (PRD-Santiago Rodr?guez) announced yesterday that his committee will hold public hearings on the Fern?ndez Administration’s draft law on tariff liberalization. The bill is key to implementing the free trade pacts the DR has concluded with Central American nations and is in the process of finalizing with the member …

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