2007 – Page 302

The country’s customs department is going through an overhaul and is looking to fix problems in the collection and storage of important statistics. These deficiencies need to be corrected in order for the country to fulfill DR-CAFTA requirements. The weaknesses were pointed out in a 2005 report by Manuel Rodriguez Amiama while DR-CAFTA was being …

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The transport unions (Fenatrano, Conatra and Mochotran) have presented the Transport Reorganization Office (OPRET) director Diandino Pena with their first proposal. The transport unions are proposing a subsidy on fares for students, the elderly and public workers. At the same time the unions have asked the government to cease their smear campaign and have also …

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The ongoing work on the Santo Domingo Metro is affecting businesses located on Maximo Gomez Avenue. The street has been closed, making it difficult for shoppers to access the various businesses on the streets. As a result, business managers say they have had to dismiss large number of employees and revenues have also been reduced …

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The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) is expressing concern about the increased levels of malnutrition among the Dominican population, as reported in the Listin Diario. According to the UN the percentage of malnutrition has increased from 6.1% in 2000 to 7.2% in 2006 and more than two million Dominicans, 27% of the population, suffers …

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The Vicini Group has been investing heavily in the Dominican Republic in recent years, reversing a long-term low-profile policy, as reported in an interview in Hoy newspaper. While the Vicinis are known as the country’s most wealthy family, as well as a major business group, investments 10 years ago were only a small part of …

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According to PLD pre-presidential candidate Jose Tomas Perez, the PLD has still not moved away from the “clientilism” model. Perez says that the current PLD government has become too comfortable with this traditional concept of government. Perez explains that this form of governing has turned public administration into a machine that usurps public funds at …

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Though the Dominican Republic lost the final game of the Serie del Caribe to Puerto Rico, 1-0, there was still enough cause for celebration as Tony Batista was selected the tournament’s most valuable player and eight Dominicans were selected to the All-Caribbean Series Team. Batista batted .231 during the five-day tournament but hit three homeruns …

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The Government Information Center will be sponsoring the 28th annual Vuelta Ciclistica Independencia Nacional, a nationwide cycling race. Competitors from 14 countries and 14 Dominican cycling clubs will be participating in the traditional race, one of the most important in the Caribbean. Center director Omar Liriano says that he has met with the race’s directors …

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Public bidding for contracts covering fuel transport across the Dominican Republic would save an estimated RD$750 million each year, and these savings could be spent on health or education or passed on to consumers, as reported in Hoy. Even with the price reductions, the study reveals that fuel transport sector would continue to be profitable. …

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Members of the President’s Energy Cabinet are planning to meet with the chief executive’s legal advisors and a team of outside lawyers in order to study the lawsuit brought by Trust Capitol of the West (TCW) against the CDEEE (the Dominican Corporation of State-owned Electricity Enterprises), the Superintendent of Electricity and the National Energy Commission …

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