2007 – Page 81

The PLD party has taken upon itself defending the US$130 million in promissory notes scandal affecting the Fernandez administration. In dispute is a claim that the President unilaterally authorized the director of the Office of Supervisors of Public Works (OISOE) to sign for the taking on of the commercial bank credit, bypassing the regular procedure …

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Agriculture Minister Salvador Jimenez celebrated the veto that US President George Bush made yesterday to the bill that would have made Dominican cigars sold in the US much more expensive. Jimenez said the tax would have meant losses in sales of an estimated 30%, or about US$100 million, and 10,000 jobs, as reported in El …

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Hacienda Minister Vicente Bengoa announced the renegotiating of the PetroCaribe agreement with Venezuela. Bengoa said the government will be financing 50,000 barrels per shipment, up from 30,000 barrels. The modification comes after petrol prices have increased. Vicente Bengoa, Hacienda Minister, is in Venezuela negotiating the increases and was not able to give a timetable for …

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The Center for Export and Investment (CEI-RD) announced that seven of 19 metal exporters have been licensed to continue exporting metal scraps, as reported in Hoy. The authorized companies are Alejandro Valdez Marmolejos, Exportadora de Vegetales Dominicanos, Reciclaje Unimer, Pisos y Techados, Torginol, Aluminio Nacionales and La Contreras. The decision comes in a government effort …

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The Central Electoral Board (JCE) yesterday authorized the Partido Accion Popular (PAP) to run in the May 2008 presidential election. The party has nominated retired Major General Pedro de Jesus Candelier for President. Candelier made a reputation for himself as a strongman when appointed to the Forestry Department during a former President Balaguer administration. He …

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The Civil Registry at the Centro de los Heroes (Feria) is opening up a new legalization office that guarantees the legalization of documents in 15 minutes or less. The new office, to be located at the Republica del Libano Avenue in the Centro de los Heroes, will have 10 attendants, 9 for the public and …

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The UASD is beginning a pilot plan that will allow students to receive basic education and law classes online. UASD rector Roberto Reyna that the plan will begin next semester. Around 60 teachers are being trained in using the virtual classroom and by the end of the month 100 more will be added to the …

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Import Representatives from Liquors and Wines (RIVLAS) have voiced their opposition to the proposal by the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery that would exclude whiskeys and wines from liberalization under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) that Caricom is negotiating with the European Union. Officials from RIVLAS say that excluding spirits would contradict the treatment that whiskeys …

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The Center for Export and Investment (CEI-RD), Industry and Commerce and National Department for Quality Control (SEIC) are introducing the Certification System for Exporting Companies Program,” that will include the participation of 18 companies throughout the DR. The program looks to standardize and adopt export norms in line with international standards of exportation. This is …

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Big Papi’s big bat helped the Boston Red Sox take a 1-0 series lead over the Anaheim Angels in this year’s AL Division Series. Ortiz hit a shot to left field and the Sox now lead the series 1-0. In other post-season action, the Rockies beat the Phillies 4-2 and the Cubs lost out to …

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