2001 – Page 170

A routine report on freedom in the press in the DR but signs of governmental intolerance in its relations with the press made by Committee for Freedom of the Press president, Rafael Molina Morillo at the mid-year meeting of the Inter American Press Association turned into a storm in a glass of water when President …

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President Mejia, at an event in his honor held at the Dominican Municipal League, rejected the building of new offices for city governments throughout the country. He said the priorities of the government are others, that he preferred to fix streets or improve potable water service in the cities and towns. The President said that …

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Central Bank Vice Governor Luis Manuel Piantini denied that the government has plans to pass the remaining 15% of fuel purchases to the exchange free market. Already, 85% of fuel purchase dollars are transacted on the free market. He said that the Monetary and Financial Code presently awaiting approval of the Congress already establish a …

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This Monday, the Comision de Asuntos Energeticos had been in agreement with alternatives proposed by the Inter American Development Bank and the World Bank. On Tuesday, the 14-member commission that is in charge of deciding the future of the state electricity utility (CDE) had changed its mind, as per news reports. Now the CDE will …

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President Hipolito Mejia by Decree 282-2001 names the National Library the Pedro Henriquez Ureña Library. Henriquez made a name for himself internationally. The announcement coincides with the celebrating of a forum that gathers ministers of culture from Latin America and the Caribbean in Santo Domingo.

Minister of Finance Fernando Alvarez Bogaert said that Salomon, Smith & Barney, Citibank Group Florida, S.P. Morgan, Merryl Lunch, Bear & Stears and Chase Bank investment banking firms have shown an interest in the sovereign bond issuing of the government, as reported in El Siglo. On the other hand, Minister Alvarez said that tax collections …

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Shippers say they will not give an inch in their confrontation with new monopoly aspirations of Fenatrado, the Federacion Nacional de Transporte Dominicano. Fenatrado is a union of truckers that has monopolized transport of cargo in the DR as governments over the years have given in to their clout. Fenatrado union members demand the right …

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The Shippers Association recently announced an increase of US$35-US$70 on shipments, depending on the size of the cargo. This is to be able to cover the 12% ITBIS tax now levied on shipping operations by the government. Horacio Alvarez, executive director of the Dominican Exporters Association says that the new shipping cost increase in addition …

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The president of the Herrera Industrial Association, Antonio Espin spoke up for local business expressing his concern that the government is focusing on measures that are increasing marketing and production costs for business. "While the politicians say they are working in favor of national development and to confront poverty, laws are being enacted to destroy …

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