Dominican capital’s subway on track for December

The Transport Reform Office (Opret) is still on track with the programmed activities for the Santo Domingo Metro’s start of operations in December.

The regulatory entity’s personnel works in the high and low tensions lines, the control centers and electrical substations, said Opret assistant director Leonel Carrasco. "Collaterally we are connecting all software units and the gigantic salon, called the main control."

Carrasco said 260 Santo Domingo State University (UASD) students have been trained to work in that department who also received training as train conductors and how to deal with people in the operational area.

The official said Opret advances to meet the programs and agreed procedures, which must be validated by several companies contracted for that purpose, including Cimex, the Tos Sin, Tales and Alstom, which supervise the electromechanical and rails systems and the rolling stock. "These people should give us a certification in the next few days, as soon as we conduct the pertinent tests."

IMF tells Dominican Government to harden taxes now, ease later

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommended that the Dominican Government harden its tax policy to allow easing the monetary policies in 2009.

The IMF said a key element in the fiscal adjustment is the expected improvement of the energy sector’s financial situation, “which reflects not only the reduction in energy prices, but also the active application of penalties for theft and a policy of billing that accurately reflects costs.”

In a statement the multinational financial organism provides the results of the visit from November 12 to 19 by the delegation headed by Andy Wolfe, head of the IMF for the Western Hemisphere Department. He said there was wide reaching agreement on the need to apply a fiscal adjustment in 2009, due to stricter global conditions for credit. “But that hardening of the fiscal policy would create space for certain lightening of the monetary policy.”

The IMF said the fall in international food and energy prices should help reduce the pressure on fiscal and external current accounts. The country also applied a prudent monetary policy in 2008, which contributed to constrict the internal demand and served as anchor to maintain macroeconomic stability, which lead to lower the pressure in the exchange market and an expected lower inflation of 7 percent in 2009.

“Nevertheless, certain margin for the lightening of the monetary policy in the course of 2009 must exist as the fiscal adjustment materializes.”

In that regard it affirms that the authorities will present a budget to Congress based on a realistic projection of income and a credible and identified level of financing.

Regarding the financial sector the IMF said official indicators suggest such a capitalized and protected banking system that it can withstand the present adverse conditions. For that reason, in 2009 a delegation of the IMF and the World Bank will update the financial sector’s analysis program (FSAP), carried out for the last time in 2002.

The delegation visited the country to conduct the first talks on the post monitoring program, with meetings held every six months, after the organism’s Stand by agreement with the country signed last January 30. It said the talks centered on the macroeconomic policies needed to maintain the stability in view of the deceleration of the world economy and restrictive international financial conditions.

The program is an intensive monitoring that’s part of the complements in Article IV of the Consultation’s annual economic monitoring, as soon as the financing exceeds 100 percent of the Member State’s quota.

Officials from US, DR, Central America discuss DR-CAFTA Labor Chapter

Officials from the United States, Central America and the Dominican Republic held the first meeting of the Labor Affairs Council established under the Dominican Republic–Central America–United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA).

The council is responsible for overseeing the implementation of, and for reviewing progress under, the Labor Chapter of the DR-CAFTA, including the activities of the Labor Cooperation and Capacity Building Mechanism established under the Labor Chapter.

The council reaffirmed the importance of each party fulfilling its commitments under the Labor Chapter, including the effective enforcement of each party’s labor laws and respect for the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

"We see the DR-CAFTA countries as crucial partners on labor matters in the hemispheric dialogue. We are all equal partners in the free trade agreement, and share a foundation of common interests and goals. Labor cooperation is an important part of our regional trade relationship,” said Howard M. Radzely, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Dominican president speaks on emerging economies and new world financial system

"Every day there are new situations that generate new worries and new uncertainties within the framework of the international economy," President Leonel Fernandez said Saturday during a two-day economic conference he is hosting.

He called for emerging economies to have greater say in a new world financial system.
The meeting in the Dominican Republic includes Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, Haitian Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis, U.S. billionaire George Soros, and Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, who warned that the current crisis will be long and deep.

When the U.S. economic bubble burst, left behind a black hole that will likely worsen gaps between rich and poor in developing countries, said Stiglitz in the conference. To overcome the turmoil and ensure that global financial systems benefit more people, the world needs a new understanding of governments role in the economy, he added.

The economic system unleashed the crisis, says Dominican President



President Leonel Fernandez denounced that a deep crisis of ethical values and a “putrid” economic system, mainly of the United States, are the causes of the serious problems affecting almost all of the world’s economies. “This crisis of values is seen in the speculation of markets, and the lack of regulation and supervision, among others anti-ethical causes.”


Fernandez, after presenting the conclusions of the two-day minisummit “The emergent global financial order: a regional perspective” held in the Casa de Campo resort complex, affirmed that several auditing companies and risk evaluation firms were accomplices in the fraud and manipulation. “That situation should’ve never happened and we’ll necessarily have a high cost that will produce more poor people, more unemployed and more people disoriented and suffering in the entire planet.”

He said the avaricious and greedy who manage large capitals on paper took the world to the crisis that brings about “rage and impotence” and that to reach a suitable balance for our societies function well requires the visible hand of the State in coordination with the markets’ invisible hand.

The summit’s conclusions will be gathered in the Declaration of Santo Domingo and presented in December, in the meeting in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil and then in the Assembly of the United Nations.

Dominican exports to Europe top US$600M so far this year

Foreign minister Carlos Morales said Dominican exports to the European market have topped US$600 million so far this year, which in his view is proof that signing the Association Economic Agreement (AAE) benefits country.

He said the profits are from banana, cacao, coffee, rum and lately sugar exports to the European Union, a market of 480 million consumers that, since the beginning of the year, began to receive provisionally Dominican products tariffs free. “This accomplishment is of significant importance for the Dominican Republic, especially at this time of economic crisis, that’s already felt at the world level.”

Morales, in a luncheon hosted for the presidents of the Senate and of the Chamber of Deputies, and the members of the Foreign Relations commissions, said once the Free Trade Agreement with Europe is ratified, the products and services of the pact’s signatory nations have access to the European Union market, free of duties and quotas.

As to the area of services, the official said many technicians, (cabinetmakers, plumbers, electricians, among others), as well as engineers and artists have been contracted for a period of six months, with automatic permits in several countries of Europe.

Dominican exporters celebrate

As part of last night’s "22nd Grand Dinner of the Dominican Exporter" celebration, the Dominican Association of Exporters (ADOEXPO) recognized the efforts in excellence of Dominican Republic’s export sector.

The event, held in the Jaragua Hotel, gathered executives of major companies, with awards handed out in five categories: Service to the export sector; Industrial exporter; Agribusiness exporter; Merit for export, and the top award, Grand Dominican Exporter.

ADOEXPO president Ricardo Koenig and officers and members of the organization headed the activity, where more than 500 business leaders, the government’s economic area officials, diplomats, representatives of international organism and national personalities took part in the yearly event.

The free zone export companies were recognized for the first time in the traditional event, with the economist and historian Bernardo Vega as invited speaker.

Dominican Republic Named "Golf Destination of the Year"

The Dominican Republic (DR) was named the "Golf Destination of the Year for the Caribbean and Latin America" by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO).

The award was presented to Francisco Javier Garcia, the DR Minister of Tourism, at the 2008 International Golf Travel Market's (IGTM) annual meeting held Nov. 17-20 in Marbella. "The IAGTO award affirms that the DR has arrived on the international scene as an important new 'It' destination for golf.

The world is taking notice of the DR's world-class designer golf courses set amid stunning sea sides, beaches and mountains in an accessible and affordable destination," DR Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia said. Each year, the IGTM annual conference brings together golf tour operators and the meetings industry with leading hotels, resorts and golf courses of the world to conduct business and grow the industry. This leading trade show highlights and honors top golf travel suppliers, destinations and services.

"Since the first designer golf course opening in the DR, which was Teeth of the Dog at the world-popular Casa de Campo resort, golf has been a booming facet for the country's tourism industry," said Garcia. "The DR, blessed with breathtaking countryside and pristine beaches, is home to some of the world's most dramatic and spectacular golf courses designed by legends such as Pete Dye, P.B. Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, Gary Player, Tom Fazio and Nick Faldo."

In honor of the prestigious award, IAGTO will host an official IAGTO FAM trip that will consist of 50 people, 40 IAGTO members (golf tour operators) and 10 members of the International Golf Travel Writers Association to experience the golf offerings of the DR first hand.

In addition to this award, the DR was recently recognized by Travel & Leisure Golf magazine, a top-tier golf publication with a circulation of more than 650,000, as "The Player's Paradise," honoring the Faldo Legacy Course at Roco Ki as one of the top 10 best new golf courses in the world.

Also, soon to be released by Golfweek magazine, a top-tier golf publication with a circulation of more than 150,000, Punta Espada Golf Course will be ranked number one along with the Faldo Legacy Course at Roco Ki to be ranked number 20 in the Top 50 Courses in the Caribbean and Mexico article.

Rich in history, the Dominican Republic is a diverse and luxurious destination offering both Dominican and European flavors to more than one million U.S. visitors each year. It also features some of the best golf courses and beaches in the world, the largest marina in the Caribbean and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families.

Hotel Paradise Beach Resort & Casino has a new look

Hotel Paradise Beach Resort & Casino of the chain Amhsa Marina Hotels & Resorts, located in the Playa Dorada resort, Puerto Plata, will resume its operations in December after a renovation process in all its facilities.

Grand Paradise Playa Dorada is the new name that will identify the old Paradise Beach Resort & Casino.

The information was released by the vice president of sales & marketing Amhsa Marina Hotels & Resorts, Antonio Herrera, who said to carry out the renovation, the hotel closed its doors to the public on May 6.

Herrera noted that the reshuffle includes the construction of balconies in the rooms that hadn’t previously had one, new furniture and decor, mini flat screen televisions for greater comfort of the guests in the 425 rooms, and remodeled lobby, casino, disco and restaurants.

Dominican Republic airfares plunge as much as 20%

Airfares to Miami, New York and Spain have become 10 and 20 percent cheaper in the last few days due to the start of the high tourist season and lower fuel prices.

For Miami there are offers of US$188 plus taxes, so flyers can get a ticket for RD$11,400, down from its month ago price of RD$15,000.

Fares to New York range from 14 to 15,000 pesos, or 10 percent less, whereas to Puerto Rico remain at RD$16,000 and aren’t expected to decline because there aren’t many airlines that cover that route.

Dominican Travel Agents Association (Adavit) vice president Edison Ureña said the country’s high tourism season and the Christmas festivities begin November 15, when the airlines customarily offer roundtrip specials, with prices now even lower as fuel prices fall.

G20 leaders agree action plan to boost growth

Leaders of the world's top 20 economies have wrapped up a two-day summit in Washington with pledges to boost global growth and overhaul the financial system.

They agreed on an action plan that envisages more government spending, a global free-trade deal, and a reform of financial regulations and financial institutions. G20 finance ministers have been instructed to draw up concrete and detailed reform proposals by March 31 to be brought before a new summit, possibly in London.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has welcomed the outcome of the summit, saying it was a reasonable and adequate response to the financial crisis.

Saturday's meeting included the leaders of new heavyweights such as China, India and Brazil. Africa's ECOWAS community has called on the G20 to ensure that Africa has a say in revamping the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Planned plant would produce ethanol, electricity from solid waste in Santo Domingo

The company W2E Resources will construct a plant to produce ethanol and electricity, transforming solid waste, including sugar cane bagasse, at a cost of around US$200 million, and create 750 direct and 1,500 indirect jobs.

The information was offered by the representative of the company, Rafael Jose Zapata, prior to the presentation of the Dominican Biofuels and Renewable Energy Chamber, headed by Alfonso del Carmen Fermin, who said the company will operate in the town Guerra .

Zapata said they are doing the environmental impact study and engineering of the final draft, with construction expected to begin early next year, and around 24 months for the plant's startup.

He siad the plant will transform garbage into ethanol and electricity for Santo Domingo East, the areas of Boca Chica, Punta Caucedo Port and the airport.

Tourist revenues will pay for warplanes in the Dominican

The US$93.7 million loan for the eight Super Tucano combat planes the Chamber of Deputies approved yesterday will be paid from the US$20 each tourist pays upon entering the Dominican Republic, two lawmakers said Wednesday.

Ruling PLD party deputies Teodoro Reyes and Ramon Cabrera said president Leonel Fernández made that decision by decree almost two years ago and opened an account in the Reservas bank for that purpose.

They said that according to reports by Dominican Air Force chief Carlos Altuna Tezanos that account has enough funds to pay the loan installments in the first two years. Altuna met last week with PLD deputies and said Dominican Republic needs the combat aircraft.
The loan was approved despite allegations by PLD deputy Elso Segura Martinez, who said there were rumors that bribes were given in exchange for the approval.

Last year more than 3 million tourists came to the country, providing revenue estimated at more than US$60 million.

Dominican tourist sector to diversify its offer

The Tourism Ministry (Sectur) will implement a strategic plan for tourism development in order to reach the main markets and strengthen the country´s position in those other where it is already leading.

In statements to Bohio International magazine, the new Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García also said Sectur plans to make a follow-up to all projects underway and to consolidate the already obtained achievements."Together with the private sector, we have envisioned a plan to make tourists directly linked with the community.

With the plan called ´Tourists at my home´, visitors will be able to share one day with a Dominican family," García said.Another program plans to create a specialized fund for productive investment in the tourist areas, encompassing the farming, craft and business sectors, the minister announced.

CULTURE AND EDUCATION IN PUERTO PLATA

The reports on the celebration of the carnival in the Puerto Plata city, they date from ends of the 19th century, and its festivity with the arrival of Cuban immigrants was enriched at the beginning of the 20th century.

The central personage is the devil cojuelo, that in Puerto Plata he becomes Taimáscaro, that produces deities Taínas in its masks, with a beautiful suit where elements of the Spanish culture they are symbolized and the African essences, in multicolored tapes in its arms, and all that is complemented with the conches of the Atlantic ocean, as natural elements of identity of the town Puertoplateño.

These festivities are celebrated during all the month of February and March, in the avenue of the Jetty and the streets of the city. Where, the people and adult they entertain and they enjoy the parades of disguises, the music, the popular dances and the different demonstrations of the art and the culture represented in the carnival that reflects our cultural identity.

Each year the organizers of the carnival, they choose the King Momo, that represents the person of the city that more has fought for maintaining its traditions. 4,2. Victorian architecture The Puerto Plata city is characterized for their architecture in which dominates a Victorian called style, where they converge various architectural styles, giving him a various character to the process of urban development development. Inside this variety is the old style related to the colonial epoch, of which remains as an example the Fortress San Felipe.

Then developed the Victorian model, because of the French, Italian, German, English immigrations and other European countries, which began after the War Restorer and had its height to ends of the 19th century and starts of the XX. This style was utilized in dwellings and in buildings destined to social activities. This type of construction gives an own image to the province.

Finally, it develops in Puerto Plata a modern architecture, because of the American occupation (1916 and 1924) and continued under it was of Trujillo, based on constructions of blocks and cement. Currently with the tourist boom has developed a new architecture based on the environments.

Currently, the municipality of San Felipe of Puerto Plata counts on 182 Educational Centers of which the 67% corresponds to the public sector and the 39% to the private sector.

This municipality counts on a total of 29.279 students, of them 1.567 corresponds at the Initial level, 19.395 at the Basic level, 6642 at the Medium level, 1.505 students to the subsystem of adults, 84 students of special education and 86 of the labor school.

Besides the universities fours operation counts on itself that offer different careers of technical and upper degree. Said universities are: Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCAMM), Universidad Dominicana O & M, universidad Tecnológica de Santiago (UTESA) y el Centro Universitario Regional del Atlántico de la Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (CURA- UASD).

History of Puerto Plata

Some differences among the historians exist that have written on the year in which Puerto Plata was founded. Emilio Rodriguez Demorizi, José August Puig Ortiz, Américo Lugo and Samuel Hazard, they give as good and valid, that you take care of was based it on the 1502 by Nicolas of Ovando; thus they collect it in their main works.


Other historians vary the date of his foundation: the Full doctor affirms, that was in the 1503. The Dr. Joaquín Marine Incháustegui, in his Dominican history he plant that he was in 1504. The Dr. Manuel Arturo Rock Batlle indicates that Port Silver was founded in 1505.


The historians, Alonso Rodriguez Demorizi (brother of Emilio) and Hyacinth Gimbernard, they express that was in the year 1496 and the Spanish Father says that in 1506. The historic informations, on the Silver Port foundation they are inexact.


Nicolas of Ovando, above-mentioned to have a port in the northern coast of the island, the origin of its foundation dates near 1502. Around 1555, the Puerto Plata's importance had been lost and became one of the places of the Antilles where was practiced the contraband with the pirates and the pirates of the Caribbean.


The Admiral, Christopher Columbus, in its first trip, named the Monte de Plata, the today montaña Isabel de Torres, observed that in its high top always it is foggy that cause they appear it as silver and of low of its mountain, to the edge of the sea, took the port of the name, for which Puerto de Plata was called. A century and middle later and with the use, him was suppressed the preposition of, and Puerto Plata was called simply, like him is known today.


The city was designed by the brothers Christopher and Bartolomé Columbus, in the 1496 and based on the year 1502 by Frey Nicolás de Ovando.


In its first phase of Spanish Colony was respected the main commercial and maritime port of the island. In 1605 it was depopulated and destroyed by order of Fernando III, to avoid the advance of the English piracy and Holland that took as base the north part of the Atlantic one.


A hundred years later, was repopulated again with new inhabitants originating in the Canaries that were mostly farmers. From 1822 to 1844 the city was low Haitian control. Of 1844 on it begins the republican period and the city recovers its maritime and commercial boom.
The city grew under the influence of the European immigration, who they contributed its cultural and social quota; what itself reflection in its inhabitants; who they possessed a culture that distinguished him of the other cities of the country.


In 1863, during the period of the War Restorer, the city was set on fire completely, initiating from 1865, the construction of the current Silver Port city. Under the influence of the Victorian architecture considered the most advanced one of its epoch, the Silver Port city is converted to halfway through of the 18th century in a city of great importance by its cultural, social, maritime, and economic development.

Puerto Plata

The North Coast is the center of a third of the nation's hotel rooms, or more than 17,000. At the heart of this region, the city of Puerto Plata curves around the base of towering Mt. Isabel de Torres, whose pinnacle can be reached by an electrified sky lift system called the “teleférico”.

A manicured botanical garden dominated by an illuminated statue of Christ - a scaled-down version of the one in Rio de Janeiro - crowns its summit. More adventurous types can reach the summit on foot. The charm of Puerto Plata, the largest city on the North Coast, is enhanced by the extent and variety of its Victorian architecture, unrivaled by any other Dominican city. Stylistically, the gingerbread motifs, wooden 'lace' filigree, and pastel colors of its houses and public buildings convey the romantic aura of an earlier time, but functionally they house a tourist-oriented city's businesses, offices, shops, bars, restaurants and clubs.

History is also preserved here in the imposing San Felipe Fort, built by the Spaniards in the 16th century as protection against seaborne invaders. The fort, which was used as a prison until the 1960's, now houses a fine museum that documents its interesting history. Take time to see Puerto Plata's extraordinary Amber Museum, the Brugal rum factory, and the length of the Malecón, the lively seaside boulevard.

Attractions

Downtown Puerto Plata

Visit the city's central park, Parque Luperon, and make a stop at the picturesque church, Iglesia de San Felipe. Several inexpensive cafeterias are nearby, in addition to numerous stores specializing in local crafts. In downtown Puerto Plata you will find the last remaining Victorian gingerbread buildings - elegant 19th century structures which are quickly disappearing due to commercial development.

The Amber Museum

Located on the second floor of a Victorian mansion, the Amber Museum is perhaps one of Puerto Plata's best known tourist attractions. Open from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, the Amber Museum features collections of fossilized resin (Amber), some of which contain remarkably preserved specimens dating back thousands of years.

Mount Isabel de Torres

Undoubtedly Puerto Plata's most impressive geographic feature, 2,600 foot Mount Isabel is also a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike. After a seven minute cable car ride up the nearly vertical slope, visitors will find botanical gardens, a statue of Christ similar to the one in Rio de Janeiro, and a superb restaurant, in addition, of course, to breathtaking views of the city and surrounding sea.

Playa Dorada

Home to the majority of Puerto Plata's "all-inclusive" resorts, Playa Dorada features two golf courses, casinos, a shopping mall, and over 15 miles of beaches and the Home of the Sea Pro Divers Company. Although most of the property in Playa Dorada is private, the beach itself is open to the public and can be accessed at the end of the main road running through the complex.

The Brugal Rum Factory

Producing over a million and a half liters of white and dark rum each year, Brugal is the drink of choice for many North Coast Dominicans (with Barcelo being favoured in the South). Although no distillation actually takes place at the Brugal Factory, visitors are given a brief tour of Brugal's bottling operations and are treated to a refreshing drink featuring, but of course, Brugal rum. Open 9:00 am - noon & 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Admission is free.

The Malecón & Fort San Felipe

The Malecón is an ocean side road featuring numerous cafes and small restaurants. Although the small beach is not suitable for swimming, a leisurely stroll along the Malecón offers fresh ocean breezes and excellent people watching. The Malecón is especially popular on weekends and at night when road side vendors prepare small snacks and several discos blast music into the early morning hours.

Walking west along the Malecón will lead visitor to Fuerte San Felipe, Puerto Plata's only remaining colonial structure. Located on a small peninsula on Puerto Plata Bay, Bahia de Puerto Plata, it was at Fuerte San Felipe that Columbus had hoped to establish the first Spanish colony in the New World (the colony in Puerto Plata, however, did not last long and the Spanish resettled on the island's Southern Coast at Santo Domingo). The fort features a moat, historical artifacts, and a small museum.

Dominican Tourism Growth in 2008

Between January and August 2,567,050 tourists visited the Dominican Republic, according to its Ministry of Tourism. This is a 4.5% increase compared to the same period in 2007, when 2,455,932 tourists visited.

Over half the tourists came through Punta Cana International Airport (54.7%), while the remaining amount came through Las Americas International Airport (19.3%), Puerto Plata (15.8%) and La Romana (5.5%).

A small number of tourists arrived by Santiago's central Cibao airport, or Isabela airport in Santo Domingo and El Catey airport in Samaná.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, the Russian tourist market grew considerably in 2008 with an 83% increase in Russian tourists compared to last year, Ukrainian tourism is up 11% and Polish tourism is up 92.5%.

From Latin America, there were also increases. There were increases from Brazil (up 32.5%), Ecuador (up 37.9%), Mexico (up 15.5%), Chile (up 44.8%), Argentina (up 38.1%) and Colombia (30.1%) as air links improved.

Dominican all-inclusive hotels gain popularity

The Dominican Republic offers the best value of the top all-inclusive destinations, while Jamaica is starting to see lower rates, but it doesn't offer the quality and value of Mexico and the Dominican Republic, said Juan Aguirre, vice president of Miami-based tour operator MK Travelplan.

Airfare to the bigger destinations like Mexico and the Dominican Republic also tends to be lower, especially compared with islands in the eastern Caribbean.
Price and style vary significantly, from luxury boutique hotels charging $700 per room in low season to sprawling campuses with basic rooms that cost less than $200. "All-inclusive can mean anything today."