2008 – Page 52

Farm and agri-industrial exports were US$301.53 million between January and August 2008, according to the Center for Export and Investment (CEI-RD). During the first seven months of the year farm exports totaled US$112.95 million, a 5.21% increase from 2007 when only US$107.36 million were exported. This increase in agricultural exports is due in part to …

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Chamber of Deputies president Julio Cesar Valentin says that the PLD has instructed its members to vote for the US$93 million loan that will be used to purchase eight Super Tucano fighter jets from Brazil. Voting for the bill goes to the floor of the chamber tomorrow. Supporters say the purchase of the planes will …

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In recent days the Land Transport Office (OTTT) has forced public transport drivers to bring fare prices down. Angered by the decision, drivers refused, but the OTTT threatened to impound vehicles that didn’t adhere to the measure. On Tuesday OTT followed through on its word and began impounding vehicles but drivers have found a way …

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The US Embassy hosted Dominicans and Americans alike at the Teatro La Fiesta at the Jaragua Hotel to await the results of the 4 November election in the US. With the results in that Barack Obama would be the next US President, US Ambassador Robert Fannin told Dominicans that regardless of the result the reality …

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Senator Dionis Sanchez of Pedernales has denounced the fact that the country is continually being bombarded by small planes that drop drug shipments over his southwestern province. He called out for the National Drug Control Department (DNCD) to provide an explanation for the boom in drug trafficking in that area. Meanwhile, Peravia Senator Wilton Guerrero …

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In last night’s first game the Tigres del Licey lost out once again to the Aguilas by a score of 10-5. During the game star Luis Polonia registered his 862nd hit during his career in the Winter League. Scott Lewis took the loss, while Dustin Nippert was credited with the win. In the second game …

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The Central Electoral Board (JCE) has embarked on its biometric registration program, which will record every citizen’s photo, signature and fingerprints. This information will be entered into a database and will then be incorporated into birth certificates and ‘cedula’ identity cards. The program aims to eliminate identity fraud in the DR. The program is expected …

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Rolling blackouts have continued nationwide. Yesterday the energy deficit was of 976 MW, or 42%. Extended blackouts are threatening businesses of all sizes. Business owners say that they only receive between three and four hours of power each day. Businesses with inverters and generators are finding there is not enough power to re-charge inverters and …

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State-run Electricity Companies (CDEEE) vice president Radhames Segura says that an extra 305 MW of energy will enter the national grid today. Segura made the announcement after a meeting with representatives from the National Business Council (CONEP). Segura also announced that the San Pedro de Macoris Electricity Company (CESPM) would provide an extra 200MW to …

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Plenty of blame to go around, but the administrator of the Dominican Hydro-electric Generation Company (EGEHID) Rafael Suero says the reasons for the blackouts that have hit the DR in the last month are the fault of former President Hipolito Mejia. Suero pointed out that Mejia had extended the Madrid Accords, which were due to …

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