2005 – Page 247

Central Bank governor Hector Valdez Albizu said that international reserves as of 4 February had reached US$804.2 million. El Caribe newspaper points out that this is US$150 million above the level the country should have reached by March. This is up from the level of US$198 million in May 2004. The average exchange rate during …

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The first major hurdle for the proposed Consumer Protection Bill was accomplished last night as the Chamber of Deputies passed the proposal by unanimous vote. Now the legislation must go to the Senate. Some of the deputies were miffed by protesters out in front of the Congress who accused the legislators of being in the …

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In an effort to provide food for the poorest sector of the population, the government will put 200 mobile kitchens into service around the country. These facilities will sell a ration of food for RD$5.00. At the same time, the administrator of the government’s Comedores Economicos program, Cesar Lopez announced the sale of basic food …

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During last night’s meeting of the Government Council, RD$19 billion worth of projects were approved. Public Work projects, water projects and a national plan to asphalt highways were approved. Among the specific projects approved were the highway between Barahona, Azua, San Juan de la Maguana and Las Matas de Farfan. Seventy-four aqueducts, community technological centers …

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Metro Minister Diandino Pena, the man behind the subway project, told Hoy newspaper reporters that it would be President Leonel Fernandez who decides whether or not the project would see the light of day. According to the engineer of the fly-ways on the 27 of February avenue and several other mega-projects during the first Fernandez …

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The National Council of Business (CONEP) went on record yesterday saying that it does not feel that the economic crisis that started back in 2002 is over. CONEP says that the country is constrained by the IMF Stand By Arrangement to limit debt. Conep said that “there are many other aspects within the transport sector …

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Architect Erick Dorrejo writes in El Caribe op-ed page today about the covert cost of the overpasses transport solution implemented during the past Fernandez administration in Santo Domingo. The construction of the overpasses over Av. 27 de Febrero and Av. John F. Kennedy are mentioned as one of the successes of the Fernandez government, and …

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When the wind shifts around from the west, the clouds of acrid smoke from burning garbage covers Santiago like a blanket of fog. Visibility is limited, and breathing is difficult. Photos on several front pages last week brought the city’s plight to the national forefront. El Caribe newspaper announced today that both business and government …

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The Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Asonahores) told reporters that if the proposed decree that would increase the cost of port facilities for the cruisers were to be passed, these ships and their thousands of passengers would abandon Dominican ports-of-call. Arturo Villanueva, the executive vice-president of Asonahores, pointed out that the decree proposed by the …

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The Attorney General of the Dominican Republic, Francisco Dominguez Brito presented formal indictments against 16 people, including politicians, businessmen and transport syndicate leaders, regarding the alleged RD$1.6 billion swindle of the Dominican state. The money was part of the Plan Renove transport program. The attorney general sent the brief to the National District judge-coordinator Doris …

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