2001 – Page 213

Several grassroots organizations criticized yesterday the increase in the cost of living that new tax measures implemented by the Mejia government have caused. The Comite para la Defensa de los Derechos Barriales, Coordinadora de Organizaciones de la Cienaga, Coordinadora de Organizaciones de Los Guandules, Bloque de Organizaciones de la Zona Oriental, Espacio de Organizaciones de …

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Interviewed as to why the President didn’t allow the mechanism of imports to confront local produce scarcities, such as refined sugar, President Mejia told reporters that food product imports was a matter of the past. He said his government would not authorize the import of refined sugar since there is no true scarcity of the …

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The president of the Federation of Industrial Associations, Ignacio Mendez said that the new law that eliminates tax exemptions on inputs used by local medicine industries is a "barbarity." The tariff reform law 146-00 of 27 December 2000 had exempted raw material, packaging inputs, machinery and spare parts for use in the manufacture of medicines …

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The Listín Diario reports that Raul Barrientos, a 58-year old lawyer by profession, and trusted friend of President Hipólito Mejia, will be the new head organizer of the Pan American Games. It is not yet clear what his title will be. "Everything that goes on with the Games will be transparent," he told the Listin …

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The Ministry of Public Works announced that construction of new sports venues and repairs of older ones will start no later than March or April of this year. The Ministry of Sports announced the works on the venues located at the Mirador del Este Park and the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center will have an …

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Freddy Beras Goico, producer of the Gordo de la Semana Sunday variety show, announced that he will move to Telecentro, Canal 13, as of February. Last year he moved from Color Vision, Channel 9 to Supercanal, Channel 33. He said that he is still finalizing the details of the agreement. "There are a series of …

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According to the general manager of the Banco de Reservas, Manuel Lara Hernandez, the past authorities of the Banco de Reservas granted loans for more than RD$1,000 million to private clients at interest rates that produced losses for the government commercial bank. Many of these loans were carried out with guarantees and conditions of payment …

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Onésimo Gonzalez, director of the Metropolitan Transport Authority (AMET) said that the government has plans to purchase 7,000 vehicles using financing for over US$350 million. Included in this amount are the 600 buses that the Oficina Metropolitana de Servicios de Autobuses (OMSA) would purchase. He said financing is being sought with Spain, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, …

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The local income tax department, the Direccion General de Impuestos Internos (DGII) reports new salary tax levels: Up to RD$120,000 a year (exempt) RD$120,000.01 to RD$200,000, 15% RD$200,000.01 to RD$300,000, RD$12,000 + 20% of the surplus over RD$200,000.01 RD$300,000.01, RD$32,000 +25% of the surplus For more information, see the DGII web site at http://www.dgii.gov.do

Caribbean Free Trade Agreement to be signed in February President of the Senate Ramon Alburquerque said that the signing of the free trade agreement with Caribbean Community nations is imminent. He said that both his office and the presidency of the Chamber of Deputies agreed with the President to hold special sessions starting 1 February …

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