2001 – Page 169

After years of resistance, the Mexican government finally authorized the DR access to a fund of US$130 million, part of the San Jose Agreement. The government of Mexico authorized the borrowing as the funds will be channeled through the Banco de Reservas, Baninter, Banco Popular and BHD, announced Minister of Commerce, Angel Lockward. The fund …

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In its front page story today, El Siglo newspaper points out the contradiction in the present focus of the government and 2001 economic development realities. Journalist Miguel Febles speculates that President Mejia will find a very different Taiwan than the one he knew from his days as Minister of Agriculture (1978-1982) and during his estimated …

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Minister of Foreign Relations Hugo Tolentino Dipp said that the government needs to create a specialized organization to deal with the frontier. He feels the Army is today acting with men that have not been duly trained to deal with the trafficking of illegal migrants. Minister Tolentino has repeatedly stated that this creates a situation …

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The Ministry of Environment ordered the closing of 60 unauthorized quarries that mined construction materials at river sites. Minister Frank Moya Pons said an operation is underway to oblige quarry operators to implement responsible mining practices and pay their taxes. Moya said that the country has lost 60% of its forests. He said to revert …

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The Dominican Port Authority has issued a resolution that grants 50% of the cargo transported by forklift and lift truck operators at ports to a union affiliated to the Federacion Nacional de Transporte Dominicano. The remaining 50% could be handled by members of the Association of Shippers. The resolution was issued in an attempt by …

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Hugo Arias Fabian, president of the Chamber of Accounts, the official body entrusted with auditing the government, complained that the big problem with government accountability is that there are no legal mechanisms to oblige anyone to give information on budgets carried out by government entities. The press carried his comments after he explained that his …

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David Taylor and Lidia Karamaoun, Canadian experts from the Trade Facilitation Office of Canada (TFOC) will be conducting a two-day seminar on how to export to Canada on 29-30 March. The TFOC is a non-profit organization that assists exporters from all around the world by providing information on Canadian markets and requirements to export to …

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The Chamber of Mining of the Dominican Republic has protested the implementation of Law 374-98 that establishes a pension plan for mining, metalworking and metalmechanical workers. Salvador Brower, president of the organization, said that they have proof that several companies have been visited by inspectors that are attempting to oblige these to pay the half …

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Jean A. Haché, president of the Organización Nacional de Empresas Comerciales (ONE), a business entity that groups large department stores, said that sales are down 30% so far this year, compared to last year. He attributes the slowdown to the economic reform program that has increased taxes and reduced money in circulation. He criticized the …

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President Hipolito Mejia leaves tomorrow for Taiwan for a five-day official visit. The purpose of the trip is to strengthen bilateral relations and to sign agreements for the maintenance of the nation’s dams, financing of housing, and production of energy, as reported in the press. Major points on his agenda are: Meeting with Evergreen shipping …

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