The Ministry of Culture is finalizing preparations for the Santo Domingo's 2008 International Book Fair that will begin on 21 April and go on until 4 May.
The spotlight this year will be on the 28 Caribbean countries. The organizers of the large-scale cultural celebration have invited the Caribbean through the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) that is headquartered in Trinidad. This is the first time that not just one, but twenty-eight nations, is the Special Invitee.
Minister of Culture Jose Rafael Lantigua told El Caribe reporter Roira Sanchez that this year's event would be "special".
In addition, the fair is dedicated to the Dominican historical compiler Emilio Rodriguez Demorizi, who is a leading source of reference for historians and researchers.
The theme of the fair will be "Be seduced by reading." The event will again take place in the Plaza de la Cultura surrounding the National Theater.
President Leonel Fernandez has instructed his Minister of Planning, Economy and Development, Temistocles Montas to initiate discussions with the IMF about such an agreement. Montas, meanwhile, told reporters from Hoy newspaper that the government has confirmed its promise to obtain a fiscal surplus of 1.3% of Gross Domestic Product this year, which would imply the implementation, even in an election year, of a prudent fiscal policy that guarantees no bumps on the economic road. Without entering into details, Montas limited his comments to saying that the President has instructed him to launch discussions with the IMF to explore just what type of agreement would be possible.
The business sector has been urging the government to continue its relationship with the IMF as a means of guaranteeing economic stability and economic growth. One of the leading voices in the private sector, Jose Leon Ascencio, the head of the Grupo Leon Jimenes, praised the presidential decision as "very good".
In the government, Finance Minister Vicente Bengoa on Monday had commented there would be no agreement.
In January, the Ministry of Economy held a workshop to commemorate its first anniversary. Three panelists who spoke on the Dominican economic outlook, Carlos Asilis, Bernardo Vega and Carlos Despradel recommended that the government maintain IMF surveillance.
Business sectors rejected yesterday, during a press conference, a proposal from the IMF for the government to carry out a new tax revision. Tax reform in the DR has equaled increased taxes, primarily affecting the middle class.
In the press release on occasion of the IMF completing the 8th review of the three-year stand by arrangement that expired in January 2008, the IMF proposed over the medium term that the government "limit energy subsidies, reform the tax system and broaden the tax base, including rationalizing tax exemptions."
Lisandro Macarrulla, president of the National Council for Private Business (CONEP), Pablo Piantini of the National Young Entrepreneurs Association (ANJE) and Manuel Diez Cabral of the Association of Industries in the DR (AIRD) rejected any possible tax increases Speaking at a press conference, Diez stated that a new tax reform would foster judicial insecurity and generate uncertainty in productive sectors. "Dominican society is already saturated by reforms and the amount of taxes we are paying is beyond what is rational and reasonable and if fiscal reform need be, what should be contemplated is one that focuses on public spending, not only on collecting taxes," he told journalists.
Maccarulla complained: "They imposed four reforms in less than three years, but this was combined with an exorbitant increase in government spending."
Piantini said: "All efforts should be directed so that our tax system stimulates investments, growth of productive sectors and a more efficient use of government spending."
On the other hand, they agree with the IMF recommendation that the government needs to control its spending, especially during an electoral period, and commended the announcement of a new agreement with the IMF. Business sectors have for months spoken out in favor of the government keeping a surveillance agreement with the IMF.
The Central Electoral Board (JCE) has announced that most of the logistical issues are settled and the overseas voting stations have been identified. The only details that need to be finished are the ballots themselves, the final voting rolls and the results. The material needed for the election itself is ready. The director of elections, Joel Lantigua, told Listin Diario reporter Deyanira Polanco that the kits that will be sent to each election station are ready. These kits contain pens, papers, notepads, indelible inks, rubber stamps and other such stuff that is needed at the polling stations. There are 13,500 polling stations throughout the country.
As for the overseas voters, the JCE announced that it had located its polling stations in New Jersey, Philadelphia, Miami, New York and Washington after meeting with officials from the different political parties.
The chief magistrate of the Central Electoral Board (JCE), Julio Cesar Castanos Guzman, has told reporters that the board had invited 40 international organizations to observe the elections of 16 May. According to Listin Diario, the JCE sent the letters out during the last week of January, and now the board just has to send invitations to the local diplomatic representatives. When President Fernandez' comments about the need to invite observers to the elections were mentioned, Castanos Guzman told the reporters, that "perhaps the President did not know that this is normal procedure for the JCE". He added that usual protocol is for the observers to be here between the 13th and 17th of May, but he added that if a delegation were to request an earlier arrival, they would be welcomed with "great pleasure".
Diario Libre editor Adriano Miguel Tejada writes today about a reality that is being rubbed into Dominican taxpayers on a daily basis. "The quickest way to climb the social and economic ladder is to get involved in politics," he writes, explaining that this reality has created a new social class: politicians.
He writes: "Politicians have their own ways, their interests and impunities to preserve and above all, they seek to improve and maintain their economic status. To be a politician is now the new objective of all social groups. Unlike baseball, athletic prowess or youth are not necessary in the case of politicians. Neither is a great intellect. To be quick-witted is important, as well as daring and willing to pick a fight. If you have a talent for deceit and can keep a poker face when telling the biggest lie, then you have what it takes. Dominican politicians have done so well that they no longer need the help of their traditional bourgeois backers to participate in an election. All they need is to have served in a government post and possess ambition, so that suddenly they get contracts, covert money and several other ways of appropriation of capital that are included in the manual of how to get rich fast. Politicians also have their own culture. They are addicted to hugs, luxury SUVs and mistresses. They are all on the lookout because there will always be someone, from the same party or the opposition, who will want to take their position, but it is unlikely that they will pick a physical fight. That is for the grassroots, not for politicians. They enjoy good food and demand expensive beverages. It is a matter of hard-earned status. In general, they are like meteors: when they are on the up, they can be seen by all, but when they hide they are on the down, and to be down "stinks."
Poultry producers from the Cibao region have told legislators that they have lost RD$600 million since the Haitian import ban on Dominican poultry and eggs went into effect. According to sector representatives, if the government does not stimulate local consumption (one supermarket chain has announced 30-pack eggs for RD$29.95, down from RD$99.99 a few weeks ago) and renewed exports to Haiti, losses could reach RD$700 million by the end of February. Members of the Senate Agricultural Committee held a meeting with farmers at the headquarters of the Association of Small Poultry Farmers of Moca. The delegation was headed by senators Amilcar Romero, himself a former Minister of Agriculture, Francisco Dominguez Brito, Felix Nova, Luis Rene Canaan, Winston Guerrero, Andres Bautista, Mario Torres, Euclides Sanches, Ramon de la Rosa, Rafael Diaz and Antonio Cruz. One farmer, Enriquillo Rivas, told the senators that he felt that the government had been too slow to react to the Haitian boycott and as a result the situation had become explosive. He added that the boycott, combined with high taxes on supplies and feed, has created much higher costs. In the short term, consumers are benefiting from the low chicken and egg prices.
Brugal & Co., the leading rum brand in the DR, has sold a majority share of its stock to the Edrington Group of the United Kingdom. By itself, Brugal is one of the world's larger rum exporters, with sales of five million cases and a Top 20 ranking of Impact's Top 100 growth premium spirit brands worldwide. Brugal is among the first quality alcoholic beverages according to some magazines. Currently, Brugal controls 80% of the Dominican market and is the fastest growing rum brand in Europe, having grown over 70% between 2002-2006.
With the partnership, Edrington is able to enter one of the fastest growing spirit categories globally, complementing its portfolio of whiskies. Edrington is the maker of Famous Grouse, the largest selling Scotch whiskey in Scotland, along with Cutty Sark and single-malt Scotch whiskeys Macallan and Highland Park. The announcement was made internationally by Ian Curle, chief executive of Edrington and in the DR by Brugal president George Arzeno Brugal. The Brugal family will continue to manage the company, continuing a tradition dating back to 1888.
According to Edrington, "The agreement with the Brugal Company is in line with our strategy and is a major step forward for Edrington. We announced some time ago our objective to increase international growth and stated that as well as developing our core brands, we also intend to target opportunities outside the Scotch whisky category.
"Brugal is a high growth brand in a dynamic category and we intend to fulfill its significant potential."
The New Option National Transportation Federation (Fenatrano) has announced a public transport strike for tomorrow, 7 February. Fenatrano president Juan Hubieres told El Caribe reporters that the 10% subsidy that was given to Fenatrano for necessary expenses will end today, and its drivers will lose the "miserable" amount of subsidized fuel that the government had assigned them when fuel prices hit their highest levels. The transport leader added that the government is also denying Fenatrano the right to receive the subsidy, which equals about one peso per passenger, and where Fenatrano transports three million poor or low-wage people a day. Meanwhile the government subsidizes the company that is building the Santo Domingo-Samana Highway with seven and a half million pesos in subsidized fuel. Hubieres called the government political ads about subsidized transportation "a farce."
Supreme Court magistrate Rafael Luciano Pichardo told a select audience that the existence of an appeals court constitutes a court of "mini-appeals" and is redundant. With his speech commemorating the 100th anniversary of the appeals process in Dominican jurisprudence, Pichardo renewed his criticism of the Penal Procedural Code (CPP) that was instituted a few years ago. He questioned the existence of two courts of appeals: The Supreme Court and the Appeals Court. Pichardo said that the CPP allows the Appeals Court to make a judgment on the sentence but not on the facts of the case that was settled in a lower court. According to Diario Libre, Pichardo pointed out that the existence of the Appeals Court, as it now stands, constitutes double jeopardy since it allows for a case to be retried in a lower court. This, in the magistrate's opinion, is why the appeal of a sentence is considered, by many jurists, to be nothing more than a "mini-appeal", and the appeal itself still goes to the Supreme Court.
The Second Tribunal Court of the National District has sentenced Aramys Martinez Perez and/or Aramis Martinez Rodriguez, 18, to a 30-year jail term for stabbing a real estate agent to death during a robbery. The teenager killed Baron Milciades Urbaez last 16 May at his house in the 24 de Abril sector of Santo Domingo. The judges' panel headed by magistrate Sarah Veras Almanzar also imposed a RD$5 million fine on Martinez. The killer was sentenced to serve his time in the Najayo Prison after the magistrates found him guilty of voluntary homicide and aggravated robbery. Martinez stole RD$15,000, US$10,000 and an SUV that he used to flee the scene.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent for Catholics. The centuries-old tradition of wearing "sackcloth and ashes" is remembered in today's ceremonies with the placing of ashes on the foreheads of the faithful. Ash Wednesday also, in the Dominican Republic at least, marks the start of Carnival, and carnival parades will be held in Santiago, La Vega and Santo Domingo every weekend until the end of the month. Other towns will also hold carnival celebrations.
Bravo supermarket is advertising 30% off fish and seafood, eggs and tomatoes.
Super Pola supermarket is offering plantains for RD$5.95 per unit & RD$11.50lb, squash for RD$6.45lb, select potatoes for RD$8.95lb, yellow onions for RD$9.95lb, bell peppers for RD$18.95, apples for RD$29.95lb, and 30 eggs for RD$3.95. Also 50% off their fruits and vegetables, and sales in its seafood and fish department.
Jumbo supermarket has sales in its seafood and fish department.
Carrefour superstore is advertising fruits and vegetables sales. Chinese eggplant is RD$6.50lb, celery RD$9.95lb, Bugalu tomatoes RD$13.50, bell peppers RD$28.50lb, papaya RD$8.50lb, red onions RD$18.50, frozen chicken RD$19.95lb and pineapple RD$9.95each.
La Cadena supermarket is advertising potatoes for $9.95lb, nisperos for $19.95lb, bell peppers for $19.95lb, ginger for $9.95lb, oranges for $21.95lb, and green plantains for $5.95.
Plaza Lama supermarket is promoting 30% off in its fish and seafood department.
El Nacional supermarkets are advertising 40% off citrus fruits, and 20% off other fruits and vegetables. Also sales on ingredients for "habichuelas con dulce."
La Isla is advertising 40-60% off its Broyhill furniture line for four days.
A truly Dominican sweet, unique to the DR, Habichuelas con Dulce is back for Easter. The desert combines red beans with cream, raisins, coconut milk, sweet potatoes and spices to make a unique and addictive dessert. Helados Bon has turned the sweet into an ice cream that is now for sale at Bon Ice Cream shops nationwide.
The Caribbean Series title will stay home. As the standing goes, it will be either DR team 2, Tigres del Licey, or the homeclub, DR1 (Aguilas Cibaenas).
The Tigres del Licey, the second team representing the DR after replacing the absent Puerto Rico team, has kept its record clean and is now poised to claim yet another Caribbean crown after squeaking out a 2-1 victory over the Tigres de Aragua from Venezuela. A dramatic homerun from the "Montecristi Woodcutter", Nelson Cruz, gave the Tigres their victory. The Venezuelan team, with a 1-3 record, has been eliminated from the possibility of winning the championship.
Current defending champs the Aguilas Cibaenas returned to their winning ways by defeating the Yaquis de Obregon, Mexico's representative in the series, 4-1.
The Aguilas victory guarantees a Dominican champion, and whether it is the Aguilas or the Tigres del Licey might depend on Thursday's game between the two. If both teams win tonight, and if the Aguilas beat Licey on Thursday, there will be a one-game playoff on Friday.
Standings:
| Team | Win | Lost | Percent | Games behind |
| Licey | 4 | 0 | 1.000 | -- |
| Aguilas | 3 | 1 | .750 | 1.0 |
| Venezuela | 1 | 3 | .250 | 3.0 |
| Mexico | 0 | 4 | .000 | 4.0 |
Estadio Cibao:
4pm - Mexico vs Licey
8pm - Venezuela vs. Aguilas
The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (Funglode) unveiled the Ara Journal of Tourism Research yesterday. The magazine presents research on topics related to sustainable tourism development. President Leonel Fernandez was present at the event. The first issue features papers on tourism in Belize and Malta, the concept of co-creation in tourism and the Quality Coast program. There is one article on tourism in the DR, written by Andres Van der Horst, executive director of the National Competitiveness Council. In his presentation at the event, Van der Horst highlighted the importance of moving the model of tourism in the DR from all-inclusive resort enclaves to community-inclusive tourism.
The journal is presided over by a committee comprising Francesco Frangialli, secretary general of the World Tourism Organization, Dominican Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez, Dominican Culture Minister Jose Rafael Lantigua, Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs of the Earth Insitute at Columbia University, Luis Jose Asilis of Metro Group, Frank Rainieri of Punta Cana Group and Maria Abellanet of Grup CETT of Barcelona.
Professor Jordi Martinell, of the Universitat of Barcelona, Spain chairs the editorial board. Other members are Prof Francois
Bedard of the Universite du Quebec a Montreal (Worldwide Center for Excellence in Tourist Destinations), Lino Briguglio of the University of Malta (Islands & Small States Institute), Dr. Rachel Dodds of Ryerson University, Toronto, Jafar Jafari, of the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Joan Tugores Ques, Universitat de Barcelona, and Prof. Dr. Francois Vellas, Universite de Toulouse (Institut de Recherche pour l'Economie de Service et de Tourisme, France).
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