2008 – Page 306

56% of Dominican citizens consider that the country is headed in the wrong direction, while 38% hold the contrary belief, according to the CID Latinoamericana poll. The leading problems as seen by Dominicans are the high cost of living (27%), lack of jobs (18%), drug trafficking and violence (14%). 51% of those interviewed believe that …

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Inter-American Development Bank representative in the DR, Moises Pineda proposes that the political parties, private sector and civil society should get together to implement an Electricity Pact to resolve the DR’s energy problem, as reported in Listin Diario. Pineda, who is leaving for a post in Washington, D.C. after five years in the country, says …

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La Cadena supermarket is advertising its sale on Maggi bouillon and soup products, tangerines for RD$5.95ea, garlic for RD$19.95 package, carrots for RD$8.95lb, squash for RD$6.95lb, granadillo for RD$79.95ea, and pears for RD$39.95lb. Nacional supermarkets are offering a 40% discount on apples, and 20% off other fruits and vegetables. Bravo supermarkets has sales on apples …

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Tourism Minster Felix Jimenez has told Hoy that the DR expects to receive US$4.2 billion in tourism revenues due to an anticipated 3% to 4% increase in the flow of tourists in 2008. In 2007 the DR received around four million tourists with a total revenue of US$4 billion, but this year’s projections on the …

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Dominican ambassador to India, Hans Dannenberg Castellanos has been elected as the coordinator of the Latin American and Caribbean Group in India (GRULAC). The group is made up of 16 countries, 13 from Latin America and three from the Caribbean. Dannenberg, who is also Dominican ambassador to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, was chosen …

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A new Greenberg-Diario Libre poll released today shows President Fernandez (PLD) leading with 47% of the intended vote, followed by Miguel Vargas Maldonado (PRD) with 34% and Amable Aristy (PRSC) with 10%. 50%+1 of the vote is needed to win in a first round. The poll was carried out from 28 January to 3 February …

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The Greenberg-Diario Libre poll says that the leading public concern is unemployment, followed by the high cost of living, crime and corruption. Nevertheless, the poll responders all felt that President Leonel Fernandez would do better on issues of education, health, economy, post-hurricane recovery, crime, fighting corruption and creating jobs than the leading contenders, Miguel Vargas …

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Vice President Rafael Alburquerque is defending the “vamo’ arriba” (correctly: Vamos arriba – Let’s go up!) program, saying that it is not political and has nothing to do with President Leonel Fernandez’s re-election bid. The Vice President said that the program has been in place since June 2007 and complements the Solidarity Program that benefits …

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A summit between the parties that are authorized to take part in the 16 May presidential election is scheduled for 10am at the Central Electoral Board today. The summit was called in response to the negative tone and political mudslinging that has marred the early part of the 2008 presidential campaign. Listin Diario reports that …

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Presidency Public Works Supervisor Felix Bautista has broken his silence on the Sun Land borrowing scandal. As reported in Hoy, he says that although the Sun Land case has been declared closed by the government, he would sue all his detractors for defamation. President Leonel Fernandez granted Bautista power of attorney to sign the controversial …

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