2014 – Page 74

Customs Agency (DGA) director Fernando Fernandez continues to argue that the government lost out on RD$765 million in taxes after the Superior Administrative Tribunal ruled in favor of maintaining the tax exemption on online purchases under US$200. He said that Customs lawyers would be taking the case back to court. According to Fernandez, the original …

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The DR is currently receiving US$700 million in petrol financing from Venezuela, says Minister of Industry and Commerce Jose del Castillo. He said the ongoing PetroCaribe financing is long term and at low interest rates. The worsening economic situation in Venezuela places the Dominican Republic in a vulnerable situation.

A Russian company is exploring options for sourcing fresh produce from the Dominican Republic. The director of the Center for Development and Competitiveness (ProIndustria), Alexandra Izquierdo recently met with Russian investors who may relocate here. The Russian company Panorama imports fruits, vegetables and flowers. The investors are making contacts with local producers to export to …

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The Dominican Republic is ranked 68th on a list of 180 countries in the 2014 World Press Freedom Index. The index spotlights the negative impact of conflicts on freedom of information and its protagonists. Finland tops the index for the fourth year running, closely followed by the Netherlands and Norway, like last year. At the …

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The Ministry of Culture has announced that Cuban singer/songwriter Silvio Rodriguez will be taking part in next month’s 250th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the city of Bani. Dominican singer Maridalia Hernandez is another star of the evening. The concert is scheduled for 7pm on 25 October 2014 at the Luis Maria Herrera stadium …

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Dominican Republic’s 2003 Miss Universe Amelia Vega used Instagram and Twitter to announce that she is expecting her first child, a baby boy, with husband Atlanta Hawks basketball player Al Horford. She said she is four months pregnant. “With great joy we announce that we are expecting our first son. A beautiful gift that we …

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Following a cabinet meeting on Friday, 26 September 2014, the Presidency announced that it would submit the 2015 National Budget to Congress for RD$630.93 billion. This is RD$17.80 billion more than the budget for 2014. The ruling PLD party has a large congressional majority, including 31 of 32 senators in the Senate, where the bill …

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President Danilo Medina gave the keynote address to delegates from around the world attending the UN Food and Agriculture Organization Committee (COAG) on Agriculture’s 24th session in Rome today, Monday 29 September 2014. Medina described his weekend surprise visits to small farmer organizations, saying they have helped trigger the process of empowering small-scale farmers. He …

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