DR1 - Writing in today`s El Caribe, economist Roberto Despradel lists the challenges ahead for industry in the DR. He compares the DR to export-based countries like Taiwan, South Korea, Chile and Colombia where growth has been closely tied to increases in exports, in contrast with the DR, where imports are in the lead.
During the Second Industrial Congress held in Santo Domingo on 18-19 April, business leaders focused on the structural problem that is reflected in export numbers and in job numbers. "While in our country, in real terms, the economy has grown at a solid annual rate of 7. 1% from 2005 to 2010, exports have declined by 2. 9% on average", he comments. He says this is in contrast with Taiwan and South Korea that have put exports at the center of their growth strategies. He also mentions that countries like Chile and Colombia have also shown a positive relationship between growth of GDP and exports.
"The timidity of our exports, when coupled with economic growth, is reflected in the deficit of the current account that is increasing at a pace and on a scale that should be considered a national priority," he comments.
He says that the industrial sector has established goals for the next five years that include an increase in exports from US$8. 5 billion to US$20 billion, 200,000 new jobs in the sector, increase in the new industries from 7,000 to 10,000, and increase the number of companies exporting over a million dollars a year from 200 to 500.
Despradel says that a commitment these goals must be taken on by society as a whole, not just the industrial sector and politicians. He says that a healthy manufacturing sector is the best guarantee for national development.
Read original at DR1.
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The Dominican Sun - Across the Dominican Republic in the last 24 hours the highest observed temperature by DRSol was 90 at Barahona. The coolest reading came from Las Americas with an overnight low of 70. A few spotty light to moderate showers and thunderstorms were reported, and rain is being observed right now as well at Las Americas and Santiago. Skies were generally mostly cloudy. Winds are averaging 10 mph from the SE, with a peak gust to 21 mph seen at 2PM this afternoon at La Romana International Airport. By the Numbers DR cities reported rain 15% of the time, and thunderstorms 6%. Average reported rainfall intensity on a scale of 0 to 100 was 44. Cloud cover totaled 62%. Click above to view summaries for the last week or last month. Last updated at 7:28PM. Read original at The Dominican Sun.
(Posted 23:29 Friday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 2873 times.)
Dominican Today -
Santo Domingo- Dominican Republic’s economy grew barely 0. 3% in the first quarter, much slower than forecast, the Central Bank announced Friday.
In its preliminary report the monetary authorities noted that in the first quarter of 2012 the economy grew 3. 8%, 4. 3% in 2011 and 7. 5% in 2010.
Key sectors with a strong impact on employment have fallen thus far this year, including retail sales (-2. 6%), hotels and restaurants (-0. 6%), construction (-2. 9%) and local manufacturing (-3. 7%).
Meanwhile banking and related activities jumped 9. 8%, education 6. 3%, sugar processing 5. 3%, health 5. 3%, free zone manufacturing 4. 3%, communications 3. 2%, and housing rentals 3. 0%.
“A number of factors influenced this performance, such as the effects of the tax package which has been influencing the expectations of economic agents since the end of last year. This has been reflected in a decrease in the domestic demand,“ the Central Bank said.
Read original at Dominican Today.
(Posted 19:29 Friday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 6733 times.)
Dominican Today -
New York- Several Dominicans arrested and charged in Berks County Pennsylvania, moved, according to prosecutors, hundreds of thousands of dollars each week dealing heroin, cocaine and marijuana in various villages and towns.
The authorities said the organization was headed by Michael Vazquez (Rambo) who investigators accuse of recruiting and planning crimes with other suspects.
In a statement, the prosecutor said in addition to the Dominicans, other foreigners fell in “Operation M3“, conducted by various law enforcement agencies.
They are charged with trafficking drugs in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Colorado, Florida, Arizona and Mexico.
Berks County prosecutor John Adams said the investigation originally focused on Robert Sanfiel, but the number of accused now reaches 25. He said thousands of dollars in cash, drugs firearms and narcotics were seized in raids.
Among the detainees figure Carlos Taveras, Eric Feliz, Franklin Bidó, Héctor Veras, Pedro Moore, Víctor Burgos, Víctor Romero Rojas, Emilio Concepción, Daniel López, Orlando Sánchez, Ceferino Hernández, Raudo Cabral, Eduardo Beltrán, Delwis Santana, Juan Carlos Torres Cosme, Jazmín King, Angel Oliveras, Eric Urbaez Pineda, Eduardo Beltrán, Sarah McDevitt, Jonathan Sanifiel, Arvel Bullock and Mbejou Waith.
Investigators seized three kilos of cocaine, 250 grams of heroin, over US$50,000 in cash, three handguns, a shotgun and a vehicle with a hidden compartments for drugs and money.
Read original at Dominican Today.
(Posted 17:29 Friday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 8122 times.)
Dominican Today -
Santo Domingo. – Opposition deputy Esther Minyety on Friday said she submitted the bill to create the “red light district“ to the lower Chamber, because the originally proposed legislation had expired.
The PRD party legislator said she’s confident the bill aimed at establishing norms for streets near historical places where women offer sexual services will pass.
She said the bill, already sent to a committee of Deputies to study, has the support some 130 lawmakers, from only three just three years ago.
As to Justice minister Francisco Dominguez’s warning of arresting men who use women’s sexual services, Minyety said there’s no such law, and punishes the pimps instead. “A public policy is needed to create a fixed place for them to offer their services and not at every corner, with skimpy clothing even. “
Read original at Dominican Today.
(Posted 17:29 Friday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 8120 times.)
Dominican Today -
Santo Domingo. - The country will host the 10th International Mango Symposium from June 6 to 9 in Bavaro, Punta Cana (east), where representatives from 30 countries already confirmed attendance.
The event is expected to draw international attention to Dominican Republic’s mango production, with exports to US$7. 5 million, with Europe as the main destination.
Agriculture minister Luis Ramon Rodriguez announced the activity in a press conference at his offices Friday, adding that this year’s annual Expo Mango is slated for Bani, Peravia Province, staring June 6.
Read original at Dominican Today.
(Posted 16:59 Friday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 8573 times.)
The Dominican Sun - Across the Dominican Republic in the last 24 hours the highest observed temperature by DRSol was 88 at Puerto Plata International. The coolest reading came from Las Americas with an overnight low of 70. Widely scattered light to moderate showers and thunderstorms were reported, the last in Santiago at 8AM this morning. Skies were generally mostly cloudy. Winds are averaging 10 mph from the SE, with a peak gust to 23 mph seen at 4PM yesterday afternoon at Santiago. By the Numbers DR cities reported rain 21% of the time, and thunderstorms 5%. Average reported rainfall intensity on a scale of 0 to 100 was 42. Cloud cover totaled 61%. Click above to view summaries for the last week or last month. Last updated at 12:28PM. Read original at The Dominican Sun.
(Posted 16:29 Friday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 9007 times.)
Dominican Today -
Puerto Plata, Dom. Rep- Police on Wednesday arrested a 23-year old man who allegedly admitted having raped 60 women between 16 and 28 years of age, in the resort town of Puerto Plata.
Jonathan Alexander Parra Melo raped the women who mounted his motorcycle taxi, and then took them to secluded areas of the city, according to police.
Local media report that during interrogation, Parra said he was raped and traumatized as a child, so he decided to “get even“ with the defenseless women. “
Although Police didn’t specify the dates of the alleged assaults, Parra had reportedly been committing the crimes during the last two years.
An angry crowd including friends and relatives of the victims awaited outside Puerto Plata’s Police Precinct demanding justice.
Read original at Dominican Today.
(Posted 15:59 Friday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 9402 times.)
Dominican Today -
Santo Domingo- 20 of the country’s 32 senators on Wednesday said they’ll defend the national interest and asked President Danilo Medina to preserve the mountain Loma Miranda, as heritage of the Dominican people.
“Regardless of any decision regarding Loma Miranda from the report by the United Nations Development Program, we as citizens and senators represent the feelings and aspirations of our communities and a wide swath of the nation, we assume the defense and perpetuity of Loma Miranda as our own and reject any attempt to carry out mining operations there,“ the lawmakers said in a letter to Medina.
They ask that Loma Miranda, including Xstrata Nickel’s planned mining site, be declared a protected area with national park status.
The document is signed by Félix Vásquez, Manuel Paula, Carlos Castillo, Euclides Sánchez, Rafael Calderón, Adriano Sánchez, José M. Sosa, José R. Vargas, Amílcar Romero, Wilton Guerrero, Luis R. Canaán, Juan Mercedes, Charlie Mariotti, Antonio Cruz, Arístides Victoria, Rubén D. Cruz, Ivonne Chahín, Amable Aristy, Eddy Mateo and Manuel Guichardo.
Read original at Dominican Today.
(Posted 15:59 Friday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 9404 times.)
Dominican Today -
Santo Domingo- The Executive Branch on Wednesday backtracked and maintained the Antinarcotics Agency (DNCD) under its control, after initially transferring it to the Justice Ministry, in the draft for the National Police Statutory Law.
In a statement, Presidency chief of staff Gustavo Montalvo said that instead of a president in the DNCD, its central director would be from the Police Antinarcotics Council.
Also deleted was the provision which called for the designated Police Director to hold the post for a maximum period of three years.
For promotions in the police the draft calls for the recognition of diplomas from police colleges or foreign universities authenticated by the Higher Education Ministry.
Read original at Dominican Today.
(Posted 15:59 Friday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 9404 times.)
Dominican Today -
Santo Domingo- While buying ice cream at a store outgoing U. S. ambassador Raul Yzaguirre didn’t notice that several 1,000 peso bills had fallen out of his pocket, when a Dominican waiting in the line picked up the money and handed it to him, without realizing who benefited from his good will.
Yzaguirre, who said it was just one of many gestures etched in his memory as ambassador of the world’s most powerful nation, calls the Dominican idiosyncrasy “a strong human spirit. ”
“To me, that human spirit makes the Dominican Republic a unique place. . . just one example of the kinds of things that happen here all the time. “
Yzaguirre, interviewed by listin. com. do in the U. S. Ambassador’s residence, said Dominicans are “people who care for others and try to do the right thing. “
His praise also reaches Dominicans living in the United States, more than one million, according to his information, who are “an American success story. “
“It really is an impressive group,“ Yzaguirre adds.
The diplomat is credited with being one of the very few U. S. Ambassadors who, according to Colorvision TV producer Dany Alcanta, “didn’t offend Dominicans by interfering in our internal affairs. ”
Read original at Dominican Today.
(Posted 15:59 Friday by DRSol NewsHound. Viewed 9405 times.)
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The Dominican Sun - Across the Dominican Republic in the last 24 hours the highest observed temperature by DRSol was 90 at Barahona. The coolest reading came from Las Americas with an overnight low of 70. A few spotty light to moderate showers and thunderstorms were reported, and rain is being observed right now as well at Las Americas and Santiago. Skies were generally mostly cloudy. Winds are averaging 10 mph from the SE, with a peak gust to 21 mph seen at 2PM this afternoon at La Romana International Airport. By the Numbers DR cities reported rain 15% of the time, and thunderstorms 6%. Average reported rainfall intensity on a scale of 0 to 100 was 44. Cloud cover totaled 62%. Click above to view summaries for the last week or last month. 
Dominican Today -
Santo Domingo- Dominican Republic’s economy grew barely 0. 3% in the first quarter, much slower than forecast, the Central Bank announced Friday.
In its preliminary report the monetary authorities noted that in the first quarter of 2012 the economy grew 3. 8%, 4. 3% in 2011 and 7. 5% in 2010.
Key sectors with a strong impact on employment have fallen thus far this year, including retail sales (-2. 6%), hotels and restaurants (-0. 6%), construction (-2. 9%) and local manufacturing (-3. 7%).
Meanwhile banking and related activities jumped 9. 8%, education 6. 3%, sugar processing 5. 3%, health 5. 3%, free zone manufacturing 4. 3%, communications 3. 2%, and housing rentals 3. 0%.
“A number of factors influenced this performance, such as the effects of the tax package which has been influencing the expectations of economic agents since the end of last year. This has been reflected in a decrease in the domestic demand,“ the Central Bank said.
Read original at 
Dominican Today -
New York- Several Dominicans arrested and charged in Berks County Pennsylvania, moved, according to prosecutors, hundreds of thousands of dollars each week dealing heroin, cocaine and marijuana in various villages and towns.
The authorities said the organization was headed by Michael Vazquez (Rambo) who investigators accuse of recruiting and planning crimes with other suspects.
In a statement, the prosecutor said in addition to the Dominicans, other foreigners fell in “Operation M3“, conducted by various law enforcement agencies.
They are charged with trafficking drugs in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Colorado, Florida, Arizona and Mexico.
Berks County prosecutor John Adams said the investigation originally focused on Robert Sanfiel, but the number of accused now reaches 25. He said thousands of dollars in cash, drugs firearms and narcotics were seized in raids.
Among the detainees figure Carlos Taveras, Eric Feliz, Franklin Bidó, Héctor Veras, Pedro Moore, Víctor Burgos, Víctor Romero Rojas, Emilio Concepción, Daniel López, Orlando Sánchez, Ceferino Hernández, Raudo Cabral, Eduardo Beltrán, Delwis Santana, Juan Carlos Torres Cosme, Jazmín King, Angel Oliveras, Eric Urbaez Pineda, Eduardo Beltrán, Sarah McDevitt, Jonathan Sanifiel, Arvel Bullock and Mbejou Waith.
Investigators seized three kilos of cocaine, 250 grams of heroin, over US$50,000 in cash, three handguns, a shotgun and a vehicle with a hidden compartments for drugs and money.
Read original at 
Dominican Today -
Santo Domingo. – Opposition deputy Esther Minyety on Friday said she submitted the bill to create the “red light district“ to the lower Chamber, because the originally proposed legislation had expired.
The PRD party legislator said she’s confident the bill aimed at establishing norms for streets near historical places where women offer sexual services will pass.
She said the bill, already sent to a committee of Deputies to study, has the support some 130 lawmakers, from only three just three years ago.
As to Justice minister Francisco Dominguez’s warning of arresting men who use women’s sexual services, Minyety said there’s no such law, and punishes the pimps instead. “A public policy is needed to create a fixed place for them to offer their services and not at every corner, with skimpy clothing even. “
Read original at 
Dominican Today -
Santo Domingo. - The country will host the 10th International Mango Symposium from June 6 to 9 in Bavaro, Punta Cana (east), where representatives from 30 countries already confirmed attendance.
The event is expected to draw international attention to Dominican Republic’s mango production, with exports to US$7. 5 million, with Europe as the main destination.
Agriculture minister Luis Ramon Rodriguez announced the activity in a press conference at his offices Friday, adding that this year’s annual Expo Mango is slated for Bani, Peravia Province, staring June 6.
Read original at 
The Dominican Sun - Across the Dominican Republic in the last 24 hours the highest observed temperature by DRSol was 88 at Puerto Plata International. The coolest reading came from Las Americas with an overnight low of 70. Widely scattered light to moderate showers and thunderstorms were reported, the last in Santiago at 8AM this morning. Skies were generally mostly cloudy. Winds are averaging 10 mph from the SE, with a peak gust to 23 mph seen at 4PM yesterday afternoon at Santiago. By the Numbers DR cities reported rain 21% of the time, and thunderstorms 5%. Average reported rainfall intensity on a scale of 0 to 100 was 42. Cloud cover totaled 61%. Click above to view summaries for the last week or last month. 
Dominican Today -
Puerto Plata, Dom. Rep- Police on Wednesday arrested a 23-year old man who allegedly admitted having raped 60 women between 16 and 28 years of age, in the resort town of Puerto Plata.
Jonathan Alexander Parra Melo raped the women who mounted his motorcycle taxi, and then took them to secluded areas of the city, according to police.
Local media report that during interrogation, Parra said he was raped and traumatized as a child, so he decided to “get even“ with the defenseless women. “
Although Police didn’t specify the dates of the alleged assaults, Parra had reportedly been committing the crimes during the last two years.
An angry crowd including friends and relatives of the victims awaited outside Puerto Plata’s Police Precinct demanding justice.
Read original at 
Dominican Today -
Santo Domingo- 20 of the country’s 32 senators on Wednesday said they’ll defend the national interest and asked President Danilo Medina to preserve the mountain Loma Miranda, as heritage of the Dominican people.
“Regardless of any decision regarding Loma Miranda from the report by the United Nations Development Program, we as citizens and senators represent the feelings and aspirations of our communities and a wide swath of the nation, we assume the defense and perpetuity of Loma Miranda as our own and reject any attempt to carry out mining operations there,“ the lawmakers said in a letter to Medina.
They ask that Loma Miranda, including Xstrata Nickel’s planned mining site, be declared a protected area with national park status.
The document is signed by Félix Vásquez, Manuel Paula, Carlos Castillo, Euclides Sánchez, Rafael Calderón, Adriano Sánchez, José M. Sosa, José R. Vargas, Amílcar Romero, Wilton Guerrero, Luis R. Canaán, Juan Mercedes, Charlie Mariotti, Antonio Cruz, Arístides Victoria, Rubén D. Cruz, Ivonne Chahín, Amable Aristy, Eddy Mateo and Manuel Guichardo.
Read original at 
Dominican Today -
Santo Domingo- The Executive Branch on Wednesday backtracked and maintained the Antinarcotics Agency (DNCD) under its control, after initially transferring it to the Justice Ministry, in the draft for the National Police Statutory Law.
In a statement, Presidency chief of staff Gustavo Montalvo said that instead of a president in the DNCD, its central director would be from the Police Antinarcotics Council.
Also deleted was the provision which called for the designated Police Director to hold the post for a maximum period of three years.
For promotions in the police the draft calls for the recognition of diplomas from police colleges or foreign universities authenticated by the Higher Education Ministry.
Read original at 
Dominican Today -
Santo Domingo- While buying ice cream at a store outgoing U. S. ambassador Raul Yzaguirre didn’t notice that several 1,000 peso bills had fallen out of his pocket, when a Dominican waiting in the line picked up the money and handed it to him, without realizing who benefited from his good will.
Yzaguirre, who said it was just one of many gestures etched in his memory as ambassador of the world’s most powerful nation, calls the Dominican idiosyncrasy “a strong human spirit. ”
“To me, that human spirit makes the Dominican Republic a unique place. . . just one example of the kinds of things that happen here all the time. “
Yzaguirre, interviewed by listin. com. do in the U. S. Ambassador’s residence, said Dominicans are “people who care for others and try to do the right thing. “
His praise also reaches Dominicans living in the United States, more than one million, according to his information, who are “an American success story. “
“It really is an impressive group,“ Yzaguirre adds.
The diplomat is credited with being one of the very few U. S. Ambassadors who, according to Colorvision TV producer Dany Alcanta, “didn’t offend Dominicans by interfering in our internal affairs. ”
Read original at 