2008 – Page 207

Penny’s shoe store at Plaza Central, Diamond Mall, Centro Plaza (Santiago), Bella Vista Mall and Megacentro is advertising a three day sale (29-31 May) with a buy one pair, and get the second free (same price or cheaper one). Pola supermarket has sales in its meat department. Imported pork chops are RD$74.95lb, beef stew meat …

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President Leonel Fernandez is leaving for El Salvador today, to attend a meeting of the Central American Integration System (SICA). The meeting will deal with issues relating to securing food supplies, climate change and bio-energy. On the agenda are also talks that could lead to start of negotiations for a trade agreement with the Common …

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The government has decided to put a halt to the illicit sale of subsidized rice at inflated prices by adding a vegetable dye to the rice, giving it a recognizable color that will alert buyers that it is subsidized. Minister of Commerce and Industry Melanio Paredes, told reporters that the idea to identify the rice …

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Despite government subsidies to some livestock producers, the cost of some types of meat is increasing. Faced with 100% increases in the prices of basic feed for animal production, corn, soybeans, and vegetable oils, there are major worries in the sector. Serious thought is being given to reducing production or to increasing prices. Over the …

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Melanio Paredes, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, has asked the transport unions to organize a technical ad hoc committee to join with his people in order to find a solution to the ever-increasing price of fuel. The unions have put on hold their announced fare increases that would have put publico fares at RD$15 …

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Controversial Juan Hubieras, of the Fenatrano transport union, says today that Fenatrano buses will be hiking their prices starting Wednesday, 4 June. On Monday, he had said he would not join CNTU union that was threatening to raise public transport prices. Hubieras says fares will then cost RD$35, up from RD$20 (on long routes) and …

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Businessman Ernesto Vilalta, a prominent energy sector industrialist, alerts of the serious consequences of the failure of the government to curtail energy consumption counting on the PetroCaribe petrol credit. He alerted this consumption could increase with the government’s purchase of Shell Co’s 50% participation in the Dominican Petroleum Refinery. Vilalta, who coordinated the Electricity Forum, …

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The Fernandez administration is using PetroCaribe credit from Venezuela, which should have gone to pay for oil, to expedite the construction of roads. Public Works Minister Freddy Perez told El Caribe that one of the highways that will soon be inaugurated is that linking Tamboril and Santiago. The PetroCaribe agreement signed with Venezuela allows the …

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The National Council of Private Business (CONEP) feels that the time has come for the country to begin the transformations needed to face the challenges of the next few years. According to Conep president Lisandro Macarrulla, these changes will allow the country to “face up to the world crisis with as little damage as possible.” …

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Eleven local airlines operate scheduled and charter flights in the Dominican Republic. According to a report by Miguel Lugo in today’s El Caribe, these operators feel that they are “condemned” because they have to pay US$60,000-US$70,000 per month in taxes. These include the tax on aviation fuel, which has increased in price from RD $118.86 …

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