Tourism Minster Felix Jimenez has told Hoy that the DR expects to receive US$4.2 billion in tourism revenues due to an anticipated 3% to 4% increase in the flow of tourists in 2008. In 2007 the DR received around four million tourists with a total revenue of US$4 billion, but this year's projections on the total amount of tourists is on the conservative side, due to fears of a recession in the US economy. Jimenez, however, seemed optimistic and said that he doesn't expect the problems in the US economy to affect the flow of tourists to the country. Last year US tourists accounted for 34% of all tourists to the DR.
Dominican ambassador to India, Hans Dannenberg Castellanos has been elected as the coordinator of the Latin American and Caribbean Group in India (GRULAC). The group is made up of 16 countries, 13 from Latin America and three from the Caribbean. Dannenberg, who is also Dominican ambassador to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, was chosen by consensus. He will head GRULAC for six months. Currently Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Venezuela are all part of GRULAC.
A new Greenberg-Diario Libre poll released today shows President Fernandez (PLD) leading with 47% of the intended vote, followed by Miguel Vargas Maldonado (PRD) with 34% and Amable Aristy (PRSC) with 10%. 50%+1 of the vote is needed to win in a first round. The poll was carried out from 28 January to 3 February by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, an electoral research firm based in Washington, D.C. As reported in Diario Libre, the analysis of the poll findings shows that 51% of the voters would vote for Fernandez, compared to 31% for Vargas Maldonado. The difference among men is less, with 42% to 38%. Vargas only leads in the north (Santiago, Puerto Plata), with 42% to 39%. In the East, Fernandez leads with 57%, 24% Vargas and 13% Amable Aristy. In the National District, the PLD candidate has enough votes to win in the first round with 52%, while Vargas has 30% and Amable Aristy 8%. In the poorest region, the south, Fernandez leads with 45%, Vargas has 38% and Aristy has 14%.
Diario Libre points out that while 47% of those polled say that the country is not headed in the right direction, 54% of Dominicans say they are better off today compared to four years ago, under the opposition PRD party.
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner describes itself as the world's premium research and strategic consulting firm, working with corporations, issue groups and political campaigns throughout the United States and around the world.
The Greenberg-Diario Libre poll says that the leading public concern is unemployment, followed by the high cost of living, crime and corruption. Nevertheless, the poll responders all felt that President Leonel Fernandez would do better on issues of education, health, economy, post-hurricane recovery, crime, fighting corruption and creating jobs than the leading contenders, Miguel Vargas Maldonado and Amable Aristy.
Vice President Rafael Alburquerque is defending the "vamo' arriba" (correctly: Vamos arriba - Let's go up!) program, saying that it is not political and has nothing to do with President Leonel Fernandez's re-election bid. The Vice President said that the program has been in place since June 2007 and complements the Solidarity Program that benefits thousands of poor families around the DR. Alburquerque explained that citizens who are part of the program are given the opportunity to work for three months after which they are given the option of either taking out a loan with the Small and Medium-sized Business Promotion Program (PROMIPYME) or accepting a job in the private sector through a program promoted by the Ministry of Labor.
A summit between the parties that are authorized to take part in the 16 May presidential election is scheduled for 10am at the Central Electoral Board today. The summit was called in response to the negative tone and political mudslinging that has marred the early part of the 2008 presidential campaign. Listin Diario reports that President Leonel Fernandez will not attend because of his dual role as President of the nation and president of the PLD party. JCE president Julio Cesar Castanos Guzman said that he would use the summit as an opportunity to ask the parties to make their campaigns as civilized as possible.
Presidency Public Works Supervisor Felix Bautista has broken his silence on the Sun Land borrowing scandal. As reported in Hoy, he says that although the Sun Land case has been declared closed by the government, he would sue all his detractors for defamation. President Leonel Fernandez granted Bautista power of attorney to sign the controversial Sun Land deal for US$130 million. The borrowing was unknown to the general public until the opposition party PRD went public claiming the borrowing violated the Constitution because it was not previously sent to Congress. The PRD would later take the case to the Supreme Court of Justice on grounds that congressional approval was not previously received. The Supreme Court has not issued an opinion.
Bautista also said that he would make available a Chamber of Accounts audit that will detail what happened with the US$130 million Sun Land loan.
Bautista argued that all criticism of the deal is politically motivated. "This is evidently political in nature: the opposition wants to take advantage of this and since the IMF has given its opinion, from my point of view, the case is closed, just as President Leonel Fernandez indicated during his visit to La Altagracia province."
Bautista continued by saying that there is intent to defame him and President Fernandez. "We will see each other in court. Everyone who has tried to make the public believe that the money was lost, that it wasn't invested in the UASD, all who have defamed me, will have to join me in court," he warned.
Bautista also denied claims that the government had provided the IMF with incomplete information about the Sun Land loans.
The director of the State Sugar Council (CEA) announced to an audience that included President Fernandez that the contracts between the CEA and the Vicini-Fanjul Group are "nearly finished". The contracts are for the transfer of the Consuelo Sugar mill and its lands to the new group for sugar, energy and ethanol production. Sources within the group say that the investment needed to make the program work is in excess of US$400 million. The goal is to produce 100,000 tons of sugar, 70 megawatts of electricity and 50 million gallons of ethanol. The Consuelo sugar mill is currently in the hands of Ethanol Dominicano, which allegedly owes sugar cane producers RD$90 million. According to CEA director Enrique Martinez, steps have been taken to get the Montellano sugar mill on the north coast back into production.
Commercial and business representatives from the DR have asked the Haitian authorities to review their decision to increase the taxes levied on certain Dominican products that they import. As a result of the tariff increase, Santiago Chamber of Commerce and Production president Ivan Reynoso has asked the DR to negotiate a free trade agreement with Haiti that would give formality and structure to the very informal trade relations that currently exist. The Federation of Retail Businesses (FENACODEPRO) has also asked the government to exert pressure on Haiti through diplomatic channels. The concern over trade relations with Haiti comes after it was reported last week that Haiti has increased tariffs on Dominican goods. According to the Dominican Business Federation (FDC) figures, metal bar shipments that were subject to 40,000 Haitian gourdes in taxes a year ago now pay 375,000 gourdes. Pasta, which used to be charged 20,000 gourdes now pays 162,500 gourdes in taxes. Dominican Exporters (ADOEXPO) president Raul Rodriguez said that the any unfavorable action by Haiti against free and fair trade is a threat to business and to Dominican consumers.
A former mayor and legislator for Luperon has spoken out against the planned construction of a cement factory. Promoters of the Isabela Cement and Aggregates factory recently announced that it would be a US$250 million investment and would not affect the environment. As reported in Listin Diario, former PRD legislator Clay Brito fears this will not be the case. Brito said that the operation would affect the manatee sanctuary in Estero Hondo and the marine species that live in Luperon Bay, adjacent to the La Isabela historical park, site of the first settlement built by Christopher Columbus upon his arrival to the Americas in 1492. Brito said that they would oppose this factory in the same way they previously opposed the installation of a fuel terminal, on the grounds that it could pollute the pristine environment. Brito says that modern cement factories are highly automated and will generate much fewer jobs than tourism is already bringing to the area. "We think that Isabela Cement would create less than 100 jobs, of 10 or 15 of which would go to natives of Luperon, but the price to pay would be very high and would finish the tourism development," he told Listin. He says that the area is betting on tourism that will generate thousands of jobs.
INTEC is once more advertising its undergraduate scholarships for the best Dominican students. The scholarships seek to attract the cream of the crop of Dominican students and are need blind. As reported in Listin Diario, 1,097 students have benefited from the INTEC Outstanding Students Program (PIES). The deadline for applications is Friday, 29 February.
For more information, contact the Unidad de Becas at www.intec.edu.do
El Caribe is reporting the death of American tourist George Hart, 74, who died in his hotel room in Cabarete after having sexual intercourse with 22-year old Johanna Peralta. Initial reports indicate that Hart, who had only just met Peralta, had taken three Viagra pills, according to Peralta, "to satisfy her like a real man". It is thought that the pills caused Hart to have a heart attack. Peralta, who said Hart took the pills an hour before they engaged in sex, was detained for investigation. Police say they found various sexual stimulants in Hart's bedroom, as well as an unidentified quantity of dollars and personal documents.
Plaza Lama is advertising potatoes for RD$9.95lb, lettuce for RD$6.95lb, eggplants for RD$6.95lb, bugalu tomatoes RD$12.95lb, red onions RD$14.95lb, bell peppers RD$18.95lb, tangerines RD$6.95lb, zapote RD$12.95ea, watermelon RD$9.95lb, and rice RD$12.95lb.
Bravo is advertising 30% off fruits, vegetables, juices and salad vegetables for Bravisima loyalty cardholders.
Jumbo is advertising plantains for RD$6.95ea, salad tomatoes for RD$8.95lb, yellow onions for RD$13.95lb, red peppers for RD$17.95lb, potatoes for RD$9.75lb, watermelon for RD$9.95lb, sweet potato for RD$13.95lb and Washington Extra Fancy apples for RD$19.95lb.
Super Pola is advertising 30% off Campbell's soups, Spam and Jaja sausages.
Carrefour is advertising sales in its meat and seafood departments. RD$29.95lb chicken thighs, beef filet RD$164.95lb, beef short ribs RD$35.95lb, dorado fish RD$94.95lb and black tiger shrimp RD$269.95lb.
Molina electronics store at the Centro Comercial Naco and Plaza Central is advertising 20% off speakers and digital cameras.
Orange is advertising 50% off the second mobile plan when two are purchased together.
Dominican TV station Cadena de Noticias (CDN) has renewed its television contract with Major League Baseball (MLB) allowing CDN to broadcast MLB games for the next four years. Frank Uddo, VP of International Broadcast Sales, quoted in Hoy, said that MLB is proud of the contract extension because the DR is very important to them. The announcement of the contract extension came during the announcement of the new CDN 2, channel 67, which will broadcast west coast MLB baseball games. Felix M. Garcia, of Multimedia del Caribe, which owns CDN, said that the agreement is very important and will be mutually beneficial for the fans, for MLB and for Multimedia del Caribe. Michael Roy from Multimedia announced that in the future, fans would be able to choose the game they want televised through phone-in contests. Roy also announced that pre-season baseball games, including the Boston Red Sox contest in Tokyo, could be televised on CDN.
The Dominican Sportswriters Association (ACD) has named Atlanta Hawks basketball star Al Horford as this year's basketball athlete of the year. The award comes as no surprise to fans who have watched Dominican-born Horford develop into a great talent on the NBA's hardwood. Horford, who is the Hawks leading rebounder with nine boards per, was also named to the NBA's all- rookie team for next week's All-Star festivities. Horford was very appreciative of his award and said he hopes to play for the Dominican national team in international competitions. Other athletes of the year include Placido Polanco, Mendy Lopez and Heriberto Rosario in baseball, Joan Guzman and Argenis Nunez in boxing, Wendys Cruz in cycling, Jhonatan Fana in soccer, Santo Rivera and Yudelkis Contreras in weightlifting and Angelo Mota and Sulmira Brea in wrestling.
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