2008 – Page 67

Center for Exports and Investments (CEI-RD) director Eddy Martinez says the DR has received US$2.3 billion in investment and export revenue in 2008, compared to US$1.7 billion in 2007. Martinez, speaking at a breakfast meeting for economic correspondents organized by El Caribe newspaper, said the DR received US$1.5 billion in revenue and investment between January …

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Economy, Planning and Development Minister Temistocles Montas explained that regardless of the decrease in international fuel prices the public would continue to pay elevated gasoline prices because the government needs to make up the revenue it lost when the barrel of petroleum was registered at US$150. Montas said that months ago when the barrel of …

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The PRD is reviving the debate about the Sun Land case, over a year after it submitted its original charges against the government. Leading PRD members Rafael Alburquerque and Orlando Jorge Mera made their way to the Supreme Court (SCJ) today and presented a letter to SCJ president Jorge Subero Isa asking for a ruling …

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International fuel prices have dropped 50% since June, when they were at a record US$145 per barrel. The high price of oil caused a trickle-down effect, increasing transport and production costs, which in turn increased food prices. But while fuel prices have since slowly dropped, food prices have stayed the same. According to Hoy, only …

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The CNUS and CASC workers’ unions have broken off talks with the business sector because the latter has yet to respond to demands proposed by the workers’ unions. Workers are asking for a 40% salary increase and a 30% increase for all people who make up to RD$30,000 per month. Union leaders say they will …

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A recent study revealed that 30% of UASD state university students failed their entrance exams. According to the study, between 10% and 20% of these students are never able to catch up and end up dropping out of school. UASD admissions director Gloria Madera said that 80% of students who failed the exams come from …

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There are at least three gambling houses for every school in the DR. The Education Ministry has registered 10,746 public schools, 2,410 private schools and 197 learning centers, for a total of 13,353. This is in contrast with a total 38,271 gambling houses in the country. Listin Diario points out that most of these houses …

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The DR will now have a single national organ transplant list and the Compatibility Laboratory at the Plaza de la Salud will handle all compatibility tests for potential organ recipients. Six hospitals have also created the Transplant Coordination Network in order to manage the transplanting of organs and cells. These new steps in the area …

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The Health Ministry has announced that since January dengue fever has caused the deaths of 23 people, while 50 people have died due to leptospirosis. The Public Health Ministry has received reports of 2,330 new cases of dengue this year, compared to the enormous number of 4,000 only a year ago. The ministry says that …

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Santo Domingo is hosting the DR’s first monster truck rally, an event that most Dominicans have only seen on TV. “Draco, The Dragonator”, “Project X”, “PR-Ride Truck”, “Havoc, “Get er Done” and “Monster Ride” will put on a show this Friday, Saturday and Sunday night as they jump and destroy cars at the race track …

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