2005 – Page 117

The Dominican economy is primarily pushed by telecommunications and commerce, according to a recent report from the Central Bank. The Dominican GDP grew by 7.2% in the second quarter of the year and by 5.8% for the first half, according to figures released by the Central Bank. This growth came in spite of diminished or …

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For every RD$100 a person pays for a pre-paid phone card, RD$28 pesos go to the taxman, making communications expensive in spite of all the technological advances. Just four “attempted” calls to New York City will use up almost all the RD$100 peso card, leaving just three minutes worth of talking. Both the Consumer Rights …

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A study prepared for the National Competitiveness Council (CNC) shows that the process required to establish a new business enterprise in the Dominican Republic requires about 78 days of work. An equivalent company can be started up in Jamaica in just 72 hours, in Panama and Puerto Rico it takes a week and in Chile, …

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The province of Santiago is the second largest in the Dominican Republic. Only San Juan de la Maguana exceeds Santiago in territory. Santiago has 12,000 commercial establishments, approximately 860,000 inhabitants, 124 free zone factories that employ 50,000 people and is the producer of 90% of all tobacco products made in the Dominican Republic. The traditional …

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Unfortunately, it is common for passers-by witness accident victims or other victims of violent deaths lying by the roadside or in the middle of the street. The problem is simple: bodies cannot be moved until a medical examiner (medico legista) has inspected the scene. This process sometimes takes hours, because of the simple fact that …

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A Vietnamese Automobile Industry Corporation (Vinamotor) press release dated 6 August indicates that the company has won a contract to export 1,000 buses to the Dominican Republic. Nguyen Van Khoa, Vinamotor’s general director, said that on 5 August that between now and the end of this month the first 40 buses covered by this contract …

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Former President Hipolito Mejia started a housing project for the Armed Forces in early 2003, but the contract to approve the deal was not sent to Congress until June that year, five months after construction started. Moreover, since the Armed Forces did not possess adequate terrain for such a project, Mejia authorized the State Sugar …

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An in-depth look into carnival in the Dominican Republic is being organized by the Ministry of Culture. Preparatory events are scheduled for La Romana, Azua, the Cibao region and Santo Domingo prior to the congress. Xiomarita Perez, director of folklore for the Ministry, said that the carnival is the most comprehensive manifestation of culture in …

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President Leonel Fernandez sent to Congress yesterday a bill with incentives to those who choose the Dominican Republic to retire. Dominican expatriates who have lived abroad permanently for at least 10 years would also be eligible for the benefits. According to the bill, retirees who have predetermined source of income would have access to fast …

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Top World Bank (WB) executives have focused their attention on the country?s energy crisis to the extent of demanding that the government improve electricity bill collection, which is currently at just 50%. Yesterday, President Leonel Fernandez met with WB officials and members of the National Energy Council to discuss the energy program and to introduce …

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