Santo Domingo.- The World Bank published the Doing Business 2010 report which ranks the Dominican Republic in 86th place, out of 183 economies, climbing 16 places, up from 102 in the 2009 report.

According to Maria Victoria Abreu, of the National Competitiveness Council (CNC), the difference was made by the new Corporation Law (No. 479-08) promoted by the CNC. The new law calls for new modern corporate structures as well as significantly easing company formation, Abreu stated.

Between June 2008 and May 2009, 287 reforms were recorded in 131 economies, 20% more than the year before. Reformers focused on making it easier to start and operate a business, strengthening property rights and improving the efficiency of commercial dispute resolution and bankruptcy procedures.

DominicanToday.com, 12 September 2009

SANTO DOMINGO.- Tourism minister Francisco Javier Garcia affirms that the country's lodging industry is recovering and continues being an attractive "long destination" market, for which new ad campaigns are being created world-wide.

He said the Central European markets of Austria, Slovakia and Rumania will be covered by a promotion office in Vienna.

"The perspective for tourism in general are evidently good," since this sector has been the least affected by the financial crisis, the official said, interviewed by newspaper El Caribe.

He said the figures confirm that the tourist arrivals fell barely 3% in June and July, farm from January's 9%. "What means that the situation been changing favorably."

Garcia said that as the result of the new inclusion of tourists from 45 countries, "the arrival of tourists will continue growing; our market will continue being a great attraction for the emitting markets," and cited France, Germany, England and Italy, as "continuing to occupy first place regarding long destinations."

The United States and Canada

As to the United State Garcia said for this date the numbers were in red at around 10%, and still the tourist market of Dominicans there is at around at 1.5% growth which in his view is good. "Because new flights to markets which are even being inaugurated which we don't have yet established, for example, the Chicago and Puerto Plata flight."

The Tourism Minister said the Hispanic market of New Jersey -New York has grown, including Dominicans, although last year their visits from United States fell 11%, but has climbed 7% in the first half.

In Canada's case Garcia said it's still a consistent market, with increase of around 6% in the first 6 months this year.

DominicanToday.com, 19 August 2009
http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/tourism/2009/8/19/32966/Dominican-lodging-industry-is-recovering-Tourism-chief-says

Zero crime in Dominican resort regions, Tourism Police chief says

SANTO DOMINGO.- The crime rate in the in the country's tourism zones has fallen to zero, affirmed Tourism Police (Politur) director Henry Gomez yesterday.

The official said the reduction took place since January, when the patrols in those zones increased. He said Politur currently has 1,150 agents, but 300 auxiliary police will be added next week.

Gomez spoke during the launch of Politur's Website www.politur.gob.do, in coordination with the Presidency's Office for Information and Communication Technology (Optic).

DominicanToday.com, 7 August 2009

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican economy continues sending clear signals of recovery, with increased revenues in June, stability of the dollar's rate and the increase of the loans portfolio, which already surpasses RD$10.9 billion in the first five months this year.

The commercial banks still have nearly 10 billion pesos to finance small and medians companies, the construction of low income homes, farm production and other sectors which greatly impact the population.

The series of measures the monetary authorities adopted have made the expansion of credit possible, aimed at making more flexible the policies implemented in the last few years.

These new dispositions have reverted the credit portfolio's downward trend in the intermediation institutions, expanded to RD$10.9 billion in the second quarter.

During the first months it fell to RD$8.5 billion, situation which has been already surpassed in the second quarter, with the advantage that the active and passive interest rates have fallen 7.17 and 5.67 points, respectively.

The authorities project revenue estimates to match collections by the end of July, which explains the latest increases reported by the Internal Taxes and Customs agencies.

The economy's reactivation is on par with the national banks' effort to place the funds available, which has led to the country's recovery from the fall of private credit, resulting from the global economic crisis.

The Central Bank reduced the legal balance, which in turn allowed the banks to increase their funds to RD$19.7 billion, which are being channeled to mainly to construction, farms and micro, small and medium companies.

Wage increase

A positive measure last week was the retroactive increase of 15% in the monthly wages of workers who earn up to RD$4,485, RD$5,060 and RD$7,360.

DominicanToday.com, 13 July 2009
http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2009/7/13/32578/Dominican-economy-continues-sending-clear-recovery-signals

Santo Domingo.- Despite the economic crisis and the A-H1N1 pandemic, Dominican Republic’s tourism continues climbing and the number of foreign visitors grew 2.41% in May.

Caribbean Tourism Bourse president Felipe Aquino made the affirmation last night during 13th BTC 2009 fair, inaugurated in the capital’s hotel Dominican Fiesta. "Those negative external factors haven’t been able to shut off the lights of hope for our tourism industry."

Aquino, speaking to a packed salon of tour operators, travel agents, investors, real estate leaders and government officials, hailed the country efforts to diversify the tourist product and to adapt them to the international market’s tendencies.

He said the contracts and the promotion of tourism have attracted a global market, contributing to the increase and the expectation of a good summer season.

DominicanToday.com, 3 July 2009
http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2009/7/3/32472/Dominican-tourism-still-climbs-despite-sputtering-economy-bug
 

London.- British Airways is launching new twice-weekly flights to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Montego Bay in Jamaica, reinforcing its position as the airline with more flights to the Caribbean than any other UK carrier.

The new routes start October 2009 with the airline also increasing services to other Caribbean favorites. According to Richard Tams, head of sales, they are "popular destinations with our customers and it's due to demand that we're increasing the number of flights to the region."

The addition of Montego Bay alongside the existing Gatwick-Kingston route makes it easier than ever before for customers to choose their perfect holiday to Jamaica. Customers will also be guaranteed discounts on flight plus hotel packages via the new dynamic holiday packages feature on the British Airways website.

Increased frequencies from London Gatwick to other hotspots in the region mean the number of flights to St Lucia will increase from three to five a week, Barbados flights will rise from nine to ten, and flights to Port of Spain, Trinidad, from three to five times weekly.

DominicanToday.com, 27 June 2009
http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/tourism/2009/6/27/32409/British-Airways-launches-new-route-to-Punta-Cana

SANTO DOMINGO.- The Assembly to Reform the Constitution approved several articles on the environment and natural resources, including the controversial Law on public access to beaches.

The lawmakers based their votes on a special commission report that studied and significantly changed the Executive Branch’s proposal.

The controversial and previous "Law 305 on coast and seas" is ambiguous when it stipulates the "free access to a swath marked from 60 meters from the high tide mark inland," and largely as unenforceable since the tourism industry spurred the construction of more than one hundred oceanfront hotels which cordon off the beaches.

As to the protected areas the articles state that they could only be reduced by law, with the approval of two thirds of the Senator and Deputies and declare a national interest the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons and that the rivers, lakes, lagoons, beaches and coasts are public domain and are of free access to the public.

The law will regulate the conditions and manner in which individuals may have access to the benefit or management of these areas, among others prerogatives.

Article 56 states that the introduction, development, production, possession, marketing, transport, storage and use of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons into the national territory is prohibited, as well as the introduction  of toxic, nuclear, chemical and dangerous residues and waste.

Whereas article 9 states that "the renewable and nonrenewable natural resources in the territory and marine spaces under national jurisdiction, are patrimony of the nation."

Article 10 states that "the upper basins of river and zones of native endemic biodiversity will be object of a special protection by the public powers to guarantee their management and preservation as fundamental asset of the Nation."

DominicanToday.com, 24 June 2009
http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2009/6/24/32376/Dominican-Constitution-reaffirms-public-access-to-beaches

DR and Virtuoso Relationship Means More Travel Experts Selling Upscale Travel in DR

SANTO DOMINGO (PRNewswire).- The Dominican Republic (DR) is a preferred destination for luxury according to Virtuoso, an exclusive network of more than 6,000 elite travel specialists worldwide. The network has joined forces with the Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism to ensure that savvy travelers choose the DR for premier luxury.

DR Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia said, "The DR's alliance with Virtuoso underscores our amazing array of upscale hotels, resorts and amenities that discriminating travelers have come to expect. Last year we welcomed 3.4 million visitors to our lush tropical island and we are committed to attracting more visitors with amazing new resort developments. Now with Virtuoso - and its upscale clientele - we will have a highly-qualified team of luxury travel professionals to help sell the DR to discerning travelers."

The DR boasts sophisticated cities that showcase exclusive resorts and luxurious hotels. Travelers to the DR may also select from elegant boutique hotels and a growing list of world-class hotel brands, all amid the magnificent setting of sun, sea and sand.

Designed to showcase the DR as one of today's most luxurious Caribbean destinations and increase American arrivals, the new relationship comprises a variety of activities including a marketing agreement that presents the DR to Virtuoso's discerning clientele as well as builds awareness of its upscale product.

Angela Goicouria, Vice President of Alliances for Virtuoso said, "Based on advisor feedback and increasing market demand, we feel that the DR is well-positioned to attract luxury travelers and provide them with authentic, yet upscale experiences. The dedication demonstrated by the DR Ministry of Tourism, combined with the cooperation from our exceptional preferred suppliers, will allow Virtuoso to create an innovative and successful program, benefiting both our member advisors and their well-traveled clients."

ABOUT THE DR: The Dominican Republic's first tourist was probably an American Indian from the Arawak or Carib nations of South America thousands of years ago. Rich in history, the DR has developed into a diverse destination offering both Dominican and European flavors to more than one million U.S. visitors each year. Named #1 Golf Destination in Caribbean & Latin America by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, the DR boasts 25 designer golf courses, upscale resorts, pristine nature, and sophisticated cities and quaint villages filled with warm Dominican people. The DR features the best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families alike. Visit the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism's official Web site at: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.

DominicanToday.com, 16 June 2009
http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/tourism/2009/6/16/32297/Dominican-Republic-joins-upscale-destination-network

Santo Domingo.- President Leonel Fernandez cut the ribbon for the water-treatment plant Eastern Salinity Barrier aqueduct’s 2nd module, in the community El Naranjo, San Luis township, built at a cost of RD$5 billion.

The aqueduct can supply 91.3 million gallons daily, which added to the other sources, brings the Aqueduct and Drainage System Corporation’s (CAASD) capacity to 172.3 million gallons per day in that region.

CAASD director Ramon Rivas said the new module will substantially improve the potable water supply for the Eastern zone’s more than 96 communities and more than one million inhabitants.

DominicanToday.com, 18 June 2009
http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2009/6/18/32323/Fernandez-inaugurates-East-Santo-Domingo-aqueducts-RD5B-2nd-phase

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic’s economy grew 1.0% in the first quarter, dipping from the same year ago period’s 5.7% growth, said Central banker Héctor Valdez Albizu on Thursday.

He said the fall is the result of "unfavorable" external conditions. "In synthesis, the results of the economy in the first quarter indicate to us that 54% of the economic activities had a positive behavior, whereas the remaining 46% underwent a noticeable decrease."

The official, speaking in an activity of the Dominican Exporters Association (ADOEXPO), affirmed that communications, agribusiness, energy and water, education, health, housing rentals, among other sectors posted strong growth.

In that regard, Dominican Telecom Institute president Jose Rafael Vargas yesterday said that sector posted a first quarter growth of 21.4 percent.

Valdez Albizu also said the accumulated inflation rate in the first quarter was 0.89%, compared with the 2.79 % in the same 2008 period.

DominicanToday.com, 5 June 2009
http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2009/6/5/32206/Dominican-economy-posts-10-1Q-growth-prices-climb-089