El Caribe, citing a report by the Central Bank, is reporting that foreign direct investment (FDI) to the DR increased significantly in 2007. The period in question represents the date after DR-CAFTA came into effect and according to the report, FDI reached US$1.7 billion in 2007. This figure represents a 16.3% increase from 2006 and an absolute value increase of US$238.7 million in comparison to 2006 when FDI was US$1.5 billion. FDI was directed specifically into the real estate sector (US$723.3 million) for a relative growth of 120% and absolute growth of US$394.8 million. Tourism experienced a growth of US$163.5 million, or 58.1% for a total FDI of US$445 million. Telecommunications also experienced an FDI boost of 22.2% or 75.8 million. Total FDI in telecommunications equaled US$417 million. Eddy Martinez, director of the DR Center for Exports and Investment (CEI-RD) says that this record level of FDI is due to the country's entrance of DR-CAFTA. Martinez says that this figure is expected to increase in 2008 due to the DR's new agreement with the European Union. He added that this places the DR in a unique position, as the country now has access to both the US and European markets. Speaking on the needs of the system, Martinez said that all the country needs now is the application of active policies aimed at attracting investment. This is the new challenge the country faces. According to Martinez, the strength of the euro and US dollar compared to the peso is attractive to investors. He added that these investments would help maintain the DR's economic stability.
Dominicans will be able to acquire biometric passports at their consulates in Hamburg, Germany; Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia, Spain; and Rome, Italy. In the Americas they can be obtained in St. Maartin, Boston and Miami in the US, and in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Passports are also available from the Passports Department in Santo Domingo. Consulates abroad charge a premium fee. Biometric passports are now required for travel to countries around the world.
A total of 31 deaths were reported during the three-day Semana Santa (Holy Week) holiday, 412 people were injured and the authorities dealt with 2,500 emergency incidents. The figures were released by the Emergency Operations Center (COE) and the country's three main trauma hospitals. In 2007 a similar number of deaths (32) was registered and 525 people were injured. Twenty-three of the deaths were traffic related, seven were due to drowning and one was the result of alcohol poisoning. According to the statistics, drownings were reduced by 23%. A total of 31,000 emergency workers volunteered during the three-day holiday, at a cost of RD$20 million.
The Central Electoral Board ruled on the CB scandal today, following calls from the private and public sector for investigations into the case. JCE Judge Roberto Rosario announced the JCE has issued Resolution 001-2008 that instructs that the government discontinue payrole payments for services that do not correspond with government employees. TV journalist Nuria Piera had denounced that several centralized and decentralized government institutions had government party leaders on separate payrolls.
While other high profile corruption cases have fallen by the wayside, the "Comite de Base" (CB) payroll scandal has gained some momentum and tomorrow PRD presidential candidate Miguel Vargas Maldonado will present the Organization of American States (OAS) with documents allegedly proving that the PLD party has been using state funds to promote the re-election of President Leonel Fernandez. The meeting with OAS officials will take place at 10am at PRD headquarters. Maldonado, quoted in Hoy, said that, "we will provide all proof that clearly and visibly reveals the illegal and abusive use of State funds."
The 18th Caribbean Geological Conference is taking place in Santo Domingo with the participation of leading experts on mining and geology in the Caribbean. The event is sponsored by the Department of Mining, the Dominican Geology Society and the DR Mining & Petroleum Chamber of Commerce. The conference will focus on the exchange of information on geology and tectonics in the Caribbean region and impacts on natural resources, natural hazards and environmental problems. Field trips have been scheduled to the San Juan and Enriquillo basins and also the Sierra de Neiba, the Falconbridge, Cerro Maimon and Pueblo Viejo mining areas, as well as to Moncion and Janico. After the conference, field trips will take experts to the eastern part of the Cordillera Central, Cordillera Septentrional and Samana.
See: www.sodogeo.org
The Dominican poultry sector is slowly getting back on its feet after 80% of a total 1,200,000 of breeding chickens were culled. This came as part of an agreement by poultry producers aimed at reducing egg and chicken production and restore some stability to the poultry sector. A pound of chicken was at RD$23 yesterday in Santo Domingo while selling for RD$19.50 and RD$21 in the Cibao region. Egg prices were recorded at between RD$2.10 and RD$2.20 per unit. Poultry farmers feel that though the situation in the sector has improved, things are still shaky considering the fact that materials like soy, fats, medicines and corn are very expensive.
The worrisome developments in the US economy could translate to increased concerns for Dominican consumers. The sharp increase in international petroleum prices coupled with the devaluation of the US dollar could lead to higher prices on a variety of products imported into the DR. According to Ricardo Rosario, director general of the National Business Federation (FENACERD) and Julian Antonio Parra, vice president of the National Trade Provisions Council (CNCP), the devaluation of the dollar will have a negative impact on trade and on Dominican consumers and could also affect trade with Europe. Rosario added that importers will have the choice of purchasing products from the US or China since trade with those countries is dollar-based and could help reduce monetary losses, if only slightly. European markets would be affected by the dollar devaluation because consumers as importers would rather purchase from the US or China, due to costs. Dominican emigre remittances to the DR are also likely to be affected by the US economy. Freddy Ortiz, president of the Dominican Remittance Business Association (ADEREDI) said that remittances would grow by about 5% and not the projected 8% to 10%. Unofficial projections for 2007 remittances put the figure at about US$2.737 billion.
The Dominican Medical Association (CMD) has confirmed that its planned strike will go on as planned on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. CMD president Waldo Ariel Suero asked doctors to ignore government attempts to discredit the doctors' union. Hoy reports that with another strike on the horizon, tensions between the CMD and the government are on the increase. Listin Diario reports that the Public Health Ministry has accused PRD presidential candidate Miguel Vargas Maldonado of politicizing the talks between the CMD and the health authorities. The Ministry also warned that it would not negotiate with the CMD while this situation persists. This means that talks between the Public Health Ministry and the CMD might not resume formally until after the 16 May elections.
Dominicans in Spain are sending back more than EUR200 million per year in remittances according to the "Analysis of Migratory Realities in Spain and DR: An opportunity for co-development" report. Although the level of remittances from Spain is still high, the study found that these have dropped by 6% in the last few years. This is partly due to an increased tendency for Dominican emigres to invest in Spain and could reflect a generational and assimilation factor. The report was produced by Isis Duarte, Julia Hasbun, Beneco Enecia, Pedro Alvarez Pastor and Rosario Novalbos Gomez with the support of Codespa, el Voluntariado para la Integracion de Colectivos Internacionales de Trabajadoras and the Spanish Development Cooperation Agency. The report lists some of the negative aspects of remittances and explains that increased dependence on remittances makes it easier for family members in the home country to turn down jobs, knowing that they have a stable income. According to Diario Libre, remittances have no long-term effect on the economy and only represent a way for families to survive on a day-to-day basis. The study found that women send back more money than men and that 77% of Dominican immigrants have a stable job, although mostly in low status occupations. According to the report, 37% of Dominicans earn between EUR600 and EUR900 per month.
National District Attorney General Jose Manuel Hernandez Peguero says that in the first three months of the year, 20,000 people have filed a variety of complaints at the fourteen prosecutors' offices. Between January and February of this year 5,377 people filed claims at the prosecutors' offices. Of the reported cases, 11.5% came from Villa Consuelo, 9.3% came from Cristo Rey, and 9.4% came from Maria Auxiliadora. While Capotillo made up 8.8% of the cases, Villas Agricolas made up 7.5%, Los Guandules made up 5.6% and Gualey made up 6.5% of cases. Los Rios made up 7% and Villa Juana made up 7.1% of the cases. Of the total cases filed, 1,439 were related to domestic abuse against women and 243 were domestic abuse cases toward men. Some other cases reported to the prosecutors' offices included robbery (476), threats (669) and aggravated theft (305)
Two years after announcing the construction of two coal-fired electricity generation plants, not a peep has been heard from energy officials in that regard. The State-run Electricity Companies (CDEEE), which heavily promoted the project early on, have not commented on the project since and the Chinese government has also reserved comments. According to Listin Diario, the Chinese government's investment in the project is in 'stand-by' mode. Listin writes that the only certainty about the project is that it is in limbo. The project, for readers who don't remember, involved the construction of two coal burning plants that would have produced 600 MW of energy. The selling point was that it would reduce the DR's dependency on fuel. Listin writes that construction was to begin 90 days after the contracts were signed but reasons for the delay in construction can be placed on a lack of funds by the construction firms. Also, the land where the plants were to be built has been the subject of concern. Montecristi was chosen as the site, but banana producers in the area voiced concerns because the waste from the generating stations could affect their crops. Some mention has been made of the plants, specifically by President Leonel Fernandez in his 27 February address to the nation and one year ago when CDEEE vice president Radhames Segura claimed that the credit agreement was to be finalized very quickly. That never came about.
Although thousands of miles away, in a country most will never see, realities of the Iraq conflict are hitting home this week as the total of US casualties reached the 4,000 mark. The Iraq conflict, which has now lasted longer than World War II, has particular meaning for Dominicans in the US and at home, as six Dominicans are among the thousands of casualties. Harold Puello Coronado, of Dominican descent, was the first Dominican soldier to fall in Iraq. This was followed by Riayan Tejada's death in 2003. Tejada was awarded posthumous US citizenship upon his death. Army Cpl. Sergio Antonio Mercedes Saez, 23, was manning the gun atop a Humvee on patrol south of Baghdad in 2006when the vehicle overturned and he was killed. Army Cpl. Junior Cedeno Sanchez was killed in Iraq in 2007 followed by Army Sergeant Joan Duran, who had been on his second tour of duty in Iraq. Soldier Alex Jimenez was the most recent tragedy. Jimenez's convoy was caught by Iraqi insurgents, along with two members of his battalion. His body was never recovered.
After five months of waiting, Major League Baseball is finally here. Die-hard fans got their money's worth during this year's first game being played at the Tokyo Dome in the Japanese capital. The match-up pitted the very popular and defending 2007 World Series Champs Boston Red Sox versus the Oakland Athletics. The game was tied 5-5 in the 10th inning when Manny Ramirez hit his second two-run double in the 10th to give the Sox 6-5 lead and the victory. Ramirez stared at the after he hit it, thinking it was a three-run homerun, but the ball bounced off the center field wall. The Red Sox, a favorite of Dominican baseball fans, includes Dominican sluggers Manny Ramirez and David "Big Papi" Ortiz, pitchers Manny Del Carmen and Julian Tavarez, and infielder Julio Lugo. The Red Sox are a favorite to repeat as WS Champs this year.
After much discussion and veiled threats that it would not take part, the Dominican Republic has announced that it will play in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. The DR, home to some of the world's best baseball talent, was angered at not being chosen to host the WBC in 2009 and as a result threatened to pull the team from the tournament. This would have been a big blow to the WBC. MLB and WBC baseball officials were disturbed by the threats, but explained that the DR doesn't currently have the infrastructure to host a tournament of that magnitude. Hector Pereyra, president of the Dominican Baseball Federation, said that he spoke with MLB officials Paul Archey and Gene Orstad and said he was satisfied with the response given by them. According to Pereyra, who is quoted in Hoy, the DR will be taken into consideration for the 2013 WBC. The DR has been grouped with Holland, Puerto Rico and Panama in Group D of the Tournament, which is now being met with strong anticipation by players. Players from around the league have voiced their support and excitement for the WBC in 2009. Vladimir Guerrero, who didn't play in 2006 said, "It's something I'd like to do, play for my country, with [David] Ortiz and the guys". Pedro Martinez said "I would love to be in one if I'm healthy", and Dauner Sanchez called it "one of the best experiences of my career. I was really excited to be there with the great players. Everything was good about it".
For more quotes from the players click here.
CBS TV in Miami has aired the story of Burt Webber and the 128-foot Ocean Lady ship that he has decked with hi-tech devices to search for the lost treasure of the 16th century Spanish galleon Concepcion. A pirate ship captured the Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion in the Silver Bank, north of Puerto Plata, but was also shipwrecked soon after with the valuable cargo on board. A 14-man team headed by Burt Webber, who recovered US$14 million worth of items in 1978 that had been left by the pirates on the Concepcion, will use jet propulsion boots mounted on their legs underwater as they hold one-of-a-kind cesium magnetometers to search for valuable cargoes of jewels and priceless artifacts. Marine Exploration, Inc. and Burt Webber's Hispaniola Ventures, Llc have formed a joint venture agreement and partnered 50%-50% with the Dominican government. As part of the venture, Webber will also seek to return to 13 shipwreck sites that he uncovered when searching for the Concepcion. The sites are approximately six miles off Half Moon Reef, and the wrecks date from the late 17th to the 19th centuries.
The CBS special can be viewed at http://cbs4.com/local/pirates.caribbean.jewels.2.677440.html
Plaza Lama supermarket is advertising red onions for RD$15.95lb, yellow onions for RD$13.95lb, watermelon for RD$5.95lb, pineapple for RD$22.95ea, potatoes for RD$13.95lb, and cantaloupe melons for RD$23.95ea.
Bravo is advertising its Tuesday 30% off on fruits and vegetables and flowers (for Bravisima card holders).
Jumbo supermarket is advertising its Tuesday fruits and vegetables sale with yellow onions at RD$11.95lb, red onions at RD$11.95lb, yellow bell peppers at RD$16.95lb, peaches at RD$44.95lb, and more.
Carrefour is advertising its Tuesday meat and seafood sales. Beef fillet for RD$164.95lb, Black Tiger 16/20 shrimp for RD$249.95lb, fresh conch for RD$64.95lb, and more.
La Isla furniture store in Naco is advertising 25-30% off its sofas.
Nash Evoli at Acropolis Center and Megacentro has 50% off its contemporary clothing.
Anthony Outlet has Eddie Domani suits for RD$1,500 in large sizes at their Herrera and Megacentro stores.
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