2007 – Page 320

President Leonel Fernandez will travel to San Pedro de Macoris today to inaugurate several public works projects. The President is scheduled to formally open the bridge over the Higuamo River at 4pm, and will then go on to inaugurate 27 newly-paved streets in the sugar mill towns of Quisqueya and Consuelo, and the Punta Pescadora, …

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Pension funds yield was 11.5% last year, or 6.5 points above inflation. The Central Bank reported that inflation ended the year at 5%. Nevertheless, the yield would have been higher if the National Social Security Council (CNSS) had authorized new categories for investing the funds. The CNSS is made up of representatives from the Ministry …

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The Department of Customs (DGA) says that they have reduced the time for importers to clear customs to 4.2 days since November 2006, down from a 14-day average in January 2006. The DGA also announced that in the next few days importers will be able to present their manifests 24 hours a day via Internet, …

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A no-show by company representatives has led to the postponement of talks aimed at reviewing minimum wages in the construction industry. Labor representatives are proposing a 50-60% wage increase for workers earning up to RD$30,000. Industry spokesmen say that that proposal is illegal, because only the National Salaries Committee (CNS) has the authority to review …

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Santiago municipal authorities have decided to demand that many of the city’s large companies stop polluting its main river, the Yaque del Norte. For years, large companies have been dumping their waste into the river that surrounds a large part of the city. Now, an estimated 100 companies will be subject to a monitoring process …

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The Central Electoral Board is putting its austerity plan into action. 410 employees have been dismissed, including the Director of Inspections Jose Carela de la Rosa. These employees were either appointed between May and August 2006 (the period after the 2004 presidential election), or were temporary workers and workers who served no function. The JCE …

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Presidency Administrative Minister Luis Manuel Bonetti has announced that the government intends to keep the propane gas (GLP) subsidies. Bonetti says that the IMF has not voiced any objections to the move. The GLP subsidy on gas for domestic use was to be removed in February. Bonetti also said that the recent of GLP shortage …

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As the Santo Domingo Metro project advances, usurping public funds, the chorus of naysayers and supporters continues to grow. Hoy newspaper page two columnist points out today that just because the project is moving ahead regardless of public opinion and controversy does not mean that the public should cease asking pertinent questions and demanding explanations …

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Industry & Commerce Minister Francisco Javier Garcia has announced that the Dominican government plans to open trade offices in 50 US states to promote opportunities for US investors arising from the DR-CAFTA free trade agreement. As reported in Listin Diario, the government has prepared a development plan to promote Dominican exports. The plan focuses on …

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President Leonel Fernandez has yet to officially announce his plans for re-election, but this isn’t stopping a delegation of high-ranking government officials from making a trip to Europe to promote this possibility. Industry and Commerce Minister Francisco Javier Garcia, Labor Minister Ramon “Monchy” Fadul, National Lottery administrator Ramon Rivas, director of the Office of Supervising …

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