2004 – Page 18

A recent study shows that 75% of students who enrolled in the state university UASD abandoned their studies prior to graduation. The study on drop-out rates in the public higher education system, as prepared by Maura Brea de Cabral, says that the main reason that causes students to forego their education is financial, as well …

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The president of the CONATRA transport syndicate, which reaped the most benefit from the Mejia government’s Plan Renove, has filed a complaint with the District Attorney’s office against fellow transport syndicate director Juan Hubieres, who is the spokesman for FENETRANO, another leading transport union that profited from governmental support. Hubieres was not included in the …

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Listin Diario op-ed columnist, Oscar Medina, focuses today on the dilemma the authorities are facing following the occupation of the government-owned hills that border the Duarte Highway. He explains that the government chose to expand the highway by using lands that were unoccupied at the time, but took no action when, gradually, the lands closest …

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The high cost of whisky in the wake of the peso’s decline during the first half of the year and ever-rising taxes have altered the habits of Dominicans. Listin Diario reports that whisky consumption dropped 6% from January to September of this year, compared to the same period in 2003. By contrast, sales of rum …

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According to a report in the Listin Diario, the payment of such things as the public debt, the government payroll, the subsidy to those who do not pay for electricity or consume less than 200 kWh per month, and the subsidy for the cost of propane gas will make up 74% of the 2005 National …

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The president of the Dominican Petroleum Refinery, Aristides Fernandez Zucco, says that the appreciation of the peso currency means the country has economized its fuel purchases by approximately RD$2 billion, or US$60 million. He says that a new measure contributing to increased stability is that the refinery is now scheduling its hard currency purchases so …

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The president of the Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), Federico Antun Batlle, alerted the population to what he called the “abusive high price” consumers must pay for electricity service, now distributed primarily by the government itself following the buyback of the Edesur and Edenorte power distribution companies. Antun said that the exchange rate the government …

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Senator Alejandro Santos, the president of the commission that is studying the elimination of the surcharge on corn syrup (HFCS) imports, which has created an impasse with the free trade agreement signed with the United States and docked to the CAFTA, said the Senate would take its time to study the treaty. As reported in …

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Sales went great for vendors of new cars over the weekend. The Listin Diario reports that as of noon yesterday, an estimated 400,000 people had visited the Auto Feria Popular sponsored by the Banco Popular. For sales made at the event, the bank provides financing and the vendors offer sale prices on their vehicles. The …

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According to a report in El Caribe today, the telecommunications market has expanded its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product from 5% in September 2000 to 10.3% by the end of the third quarter of 2004. From 1987, the telecommunications market has experienced double-digit growth, with an average of 17.7%. Reporter Edwin Ruiz quotes Jose …

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