2013 – Page 263

Government borrowing from commercial banks was up by 99.8% in 2012, but private borrowing only grew by 2.6%, as reported in El Dia. The government borrowed RD$65.9 billion in 2012, double the RD$32.9 billion taken on in 2011. This has occurred despite record taxation increases in 2012. The borrowing took place from January-September 2012 (up …

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Diario Libre reports that according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), from 2006 to 2010 the Dominican Republic spent 0.7% of its GDP on military expenditure. The armed forces have a total of 30,000 members as well as 34,000 members of the police who each are assigned at least one weapon, …

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The import of firearm and ammunition for sale to private individuals has been prohibited since 2006. Nonetheless, these items are still entering the country and being sold. How does this happen? The answer is through contraband, according to the people in the know. The government restriction ordered by Decree 309-06 sought to reduce crime and …

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San Cristobal senator Tommy Galan says that the government should set up a commission to investigate whether or not concessionaires have fulfilled the commitments that they agreed on with the state. He suggested that audits by international firms should be used to ensure an impartial result. Galan believes that 90% of these concessionaires have not …

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The government, through the Office of Vice President Margarita Cedeno, will begin to provide insurance and medical care for 1,602 people diagnosed with HIV or AIDS and who belong to the “Progressing with Solidarity” program. The Vice President and the director of the National Health Insurance program have signed an agreement that will help disabled …

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Olgo Fernandez, the executive director of the National Hydraulic Resources Institute (INDRHI) has handed over a check on behalf of the government for US$20 million to pay for part of the construction work of the Monte Grande dam in Barahona. The Andrade Gutierrez construction company is responsible for the works. The provincial governor, Pedro Pena …

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The 193-nation United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly approved the first treaty on the global arms trade, which seeks to regulate the US$70 billion business in conventional arms and keep weapons out of the hands of human rights abusers. There were 155 votes in favor, 3 against and 22 abstentions. Venezuela – which had said …

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The Ministry of Economy is coordinating the work of the first two Australian volunteers of a group of six who will arrive this year. Nelson Felipe Valdez, director of Bilateral Cooperation at the Ministry of Economy says that Ana Radovic will work in the area of registering birth documentation under the Progresando con Solidaridad (Vice …

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Small traders on Romulo Betancourt Avenue in Santo Domingo are at breaking point, because their sales have fallen by up to 80% as a result of roadwork over the last three months by the Marvar, CxA construction firm. The work is being done for the Santo Domingo Water and Sewer Corporation (CAASD) along a large …

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Dr. Hector Quezada, director of the Dario Contreras trauma hospital has resigned from his post, which he held for nine years. At the age of 66, after dedicating 34 years of his life to the Dario Contreras Hospital, he says that the crisis affecting the sector is also affecting the staff’s capacity to respond to …

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