NOVEMBER 2009

New National Asphalting Plan

More than RD $ 1500 millions will be invested in the Province of Santo Domingo

BREAKING NEWS : The Minister of Public Works, Mr. Víctor Díaz Rua, travelled on Wednesday to the municipality of Santo Domingo East, to identify areas and roads that will benefit from the new National Asphalting Plan that will be developed in the whole country, with an investment exceeding 500 millions dollars.

The new plan includes asphalting the province of Santo Domingo, the Northern, and Eastern and on and the National District.

Mr.Víctor Díaz Rúa said that nothing in the province of Santo Domingo; more than 1,500 million pesos will be invested to reconstruction of all roads.

The works included in the asphalting plan in the municipality of Santo Domingo East will be the consolidation, filling, compaction and the application of hot asphalt two inches thick.

The SEOPC however explained that it was following the plan that was developed over two years through an agreement between Víctor Díaz Rúa and Mayor Juan de Los Santos.

The streets of the 22 sectors of Santo Domingo East have been rebuilt, as the sectors of Amapolas and Ana Teresa Balaguer.

Regarding the National Plan Paving, Víctor Díaz Rúa, informed that it will begin in the coming weeks, and involved all the provinces and municipalities in order to rebuild more than 2,000 kilometres of streets, avenues and roads.

Concerning the completed works, and only in neighbourhoods of Brisa Oriental, Cansino Adentro I y II, Margara, Los Rosales, Nuevo Renacer and El Almirante the Ministry of Public Works has provided more than 20 000 cubic meters of asphalt.

Santo Domingo Live, 02.11.09

President Leonel Fernández supervises works in the East of the country

20 000 millions pesos will be invested in the region

BREAKING NEWS: President Leonel Fernández said on Saturday that the government is currently investing 20 000 million pesos, for several infrastructure projects such as roads, aqueducts, schools and streets.

Having supervised the work constructed by the government in this province, the Head of State explained that they contribute to the sustained development of this region.
The course started on the Coral Highway that was built by the Ministry of Public Works with foreign financing, with an investment of 400 million dollars.

Victor Diaz Rua said that the track will be ready in 2012 and will link the major tourist attractions of the region.

Then, President Leonel Fernández and the procession of officials who accompanied him went to the Benerito High School, built by the Ministry of Education, according to the MinisterMelanio Paredes, it should be completed not later than 15 days.

The visit continued in the Higüey municipality where the authorities of the National Institute of Potable Water and Sewers (INAPA) resumed the construction of the aqueduct of the province, the first step should be completed in 2012.

He explained that this work will cost 80 millions dollars and solve the problem of water for the residents of the province La Altagracia. The second step should be completed in 2015.

The Head of State also oversaw the construction of a supermarket and a farmers’ market developed by the Institute for Price Stabilization (INESPRE).

Finally, the President inspected the construction of an operation and attention center for natural disasters, which will be completed in the coming months.

Santo Domingo Live, 03.11.09

Dominican Institute of Telecommunications said that the number portability benefits all users

80 pesos to transfer a number

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.-The payment of 80 pesos to the right of users to carry their phone number was set during a public consultation.

The execution of this process has led companies to submit to Indotel investment required to implement the number portability in their networks, which until now has reached 38.85 million dollars, said a document issued by the entity.

Indotel said that the number portability was a great victory for consumers because it helped boost the competition that resulted in better services and lower costs.

Given that all users will enjoy the number portability even without using their right to carry their number, Indotel decided that the cost would be borne by users with active lines, by paying only once , said the company.

Among all the companies, only Claro-Codetel and Tricom agreed to charge 80 pesos to users; other companies have to put aside that option. Indotel as regulator can’t force companies to not recoup their investment.

Santo Domingo Live, 04.11.09

President Leonel Fernandez receives Korean officials and businessmen

They have several projects

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The President of the Republic, Leonel Fernández, has received in his office a commission businessmen and government officials from South Korea, which have submitted plans for an intelligent traffic system, a new management system migration, georeferencing and map building aqueducts.

The four projects submitted by businessmen and officials from Korea would be financed by the Eximbank of South Korea, with loans at low rates of non-reimbursable funds, over a period of 90 years, ten years grace and a rate of 0.2 % annual.

Regarding the migration project is to apply the Act and the regulations of the General Directorate of Migration, while the traffic would be developed in cooperation with the Directorate General of Land Transit, the Office for the Reorganization of Land Transport, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

In addition, the project would georeferencing in collaboration with the Directorate of the Cadastre and the Military Cartographic Institute.

The project on traffic will cost 20 million dollars, the migration of 35 million dollars, while those of georeferencing mapping and construction of aqueducts have not yet been estimated.

The steps on these projects will be managed as soon as possible so that they can be included in the Bill of Budget and Public Expenditure for the year 2010.

The commission was composed of entrepreneurs Ig Gyo Kim, president of Hyundai, the director of the company Yong Moon Choi, and Sungho Lee, international adviser. The Dominican side, Jose Luis Polanco, Minister Counselor, and Rafael Castro, legal counsel were presented.

Santo Domingo Live, 13.11.09

Tourist Investments San Souci renovates the Monument to the Sugar Cane

Spain Avenue Revitalization in Santo Domingo

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- Tourist Investments San Souci (ITSS) will make an investment of 7 million pesos to renovate and revitalize the Monument of Sugar Cane and part of Spain Avenue of the Dominican capital.

The renovation and cleaning of the Monument to the Sugar Cane developed by ITSS will extend over a period of approximately 45 days, and the Town Hall of Santo Domingo is organizing the construction process.

The work will involve the rehabilitation of the islands, center of the Spain avenue to Lighthouse Avenue.

The inauguration ceremony was held on the Monument to the Sugar Cane and was attended by the Mayor of Santo Domingo East, Juan de los Santos and President of STI , Lisandro Macarrulla, and representative’s tourism and cultural development of the Dominican Republic.

The renovation of the Monument of Sugar Cane is an important contribution made by ITSS in addition to the revitalization of the area and is an innovative project of engagement with the community, said Mr. Macarrulla.

The President of ITSS said that this renovation is part of its urban development project to develop recreational areas for the Dominican families, one way to ensure family welfare.

Santo Domingo Live, 05.11.09

Leonel Fernández creates an Organizing Committee of Santo Domingo American Capital of Culture 2010

José Rafael Lantigua President

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- President Leonel Fernández created through a decree the Commission of Organizing and the Committee for Operational Support of Santo Domingo American Capital of Culture 2010 .

Santo Domingo was designated a few months ago American Capital of Culture 2010 by the International Bureau of Cultural Capitals, based in Barcelona, Spain, and following the efforts made jointly by the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (Pontiff Catholic University Mother and Teacher) and the Ministry of Culture.

The Minister of Culture, José Rafael Lantigua, was named chairman of the committee organizing the event which will last all next year.

Also part of the Committee, the Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia, the Administrative Secretary of the Presidency, Luis Manuel Bonetti, Mayor of the District, Roberto Salcedo, the Rector of the PUCMM, Agripino Núñez Collado and businessmen Jose Luis Corripio Estrada and Jose A. Leon.

Decree 797-09 also means integral Committee Operational Support, which depends on the Organized Committee, which will be Chief Operating Freddy Ginebra, Director of Home Theater Alexander Santana Delgado, as Administrative Director, and José Oviedo.

Also part of this committee, Deputy Ministers of Culture, Lourdes Camilo de Cuello, Bernarda Jorge and Mateo Morrison, the architect Gustavo Luis Moré, Marianne de Tolentino, Luis Molina Marinez, director of the Center Sans Souci, Luis Taveras, of City Council District National, and Eduardo Valcárcel, Vicini Group.

Then Luis Broker, president of the Nicolas de Ovando, Elizabeth Tovar, President OPETUR; Xiomara Espaillat, Director of the Historical Center, Roberto Henríquez, president of the Association of Hotels Santo Domingo; Alberto Alonso, president of Association of Traders of El Conde Street…

The decree establishes the program Santo Domingo American Capital of Culture 2010 will be officially beginning January 7th with a ceremony on the plaza of the National Palace, attended by the President Leonel Fernández.

The event will take place throughout 2010 and include an extensive program of cultural achievements, which involved all the nations of Latin America and countries in Europe and Asia.

Santo Domingo Live, 06.11.09

The tourist cruise ships should increase of 20% in 2009

This is a key moment to position ourselves in the cruise ships tourism industry

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic for 2009 foresees an increase of 20% of the arrival of tourists aboard cruise ships in the country, which had 500 000 visits in 2008, according to the Vice Minister of Tourism Promotion International, Magaly Toribio.

This is a key moment to position ourselves in the cruise ships tourism industry said Ms. Toribio.

Ms. Toribio has announced that the Dominican Republic was selected in 2010 as headquarters of the Seventeenth Annual Conference and Trade Show of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Asociation (FCCA), the main meeting on Tourism Cruise in the Caribbean region.

The event will take place in Santo Domingo from the October 25th to October 29th, 2010 and an average of 2,000 industry professionals are expected.

Santo Domingo Live, 06.11.09

Inauguration of the Tower Veiramar II

Fresco by the artist Michel Bizet

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- This Tuesday, November on 10th, 2009, at 8pm, will be inaugurated the Tower Veiramar II, located on the Malecón Avenue in Santo Domingo.

For this occasion, the contemporary French painter Michel Bizet, returning from an exhibition in Saint James of Compostela, will present a fresco infinito composed by10 frames displayed in the lobby and specially made for the Tower Veiramar II.

The new tower is composed of a total of 21 floors and Tower Veiramar III is actually under construction.

Santo Domingo Live, 10.11.09

The meeting of Caribbean Cruise in 2010 will be held in Santo Domingo

2,000 professionals in the tourism sector of cruise ships will participate

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic was selected as the headquarters of the Seventeenth Annual Conference and Trade Show of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) in 2010, the main meeting for cruise ships professionals in the Caribbean region.

The information was disclosed by Magaly Toribio, Vice-Minister of International Tourism Promotion , who explained that the activity will take place from the October 25th to October 29th, 2010 in the city of Santo Domingo.

2,000 professionals in the of cruise ships tourism sector are expected to attend this event, along with the presidents of the main companies that send their passengers in the Caribbean area.

Our neighbours will also be competing at the event where not only the various destinations will be exposed, but where in addition, individual one-one meetings will be performed, which are individual meetings held with those who plan cruise ships each year, said Ms. Toribio.

The vice-minister who participated in the 16th edition of the FCCA Cruise Conference and Trade Show in St. Lucia, as a representative of the Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia said that during this activity important meetings were held with the chairmen of the main lines cruise ships such as Micky Arison, the Canival Cruise Lines, Craig Milan, Royal Celebrety Tours Dan Hanraham of Celebrety Cruises, Richard E. Sassa, MSC Cruises, among others.

Ms. Toribio said this year we received support from the Association of Hotels in Santo Domingo, as well as hotels that will host next year this great event, the Jaragua and the Melia Santo Domingo.

Santo Domingo Live, 12.11.09

President Leonel Fernandez receives Korean businessmen

They have several projects

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The President of the Republic, Leonel Fernández, has received in his office a commission composed by businessmen and government officials from South Korea, which have submitted plans for an intelligent traffic system, a new migration management system, a georeferencing system and for the building of aqueducts.

The four projects submitted by businessmen and officials from Korea would be financed by the Eximbank of South Korea, with loans at low rates of non-reimbursable funds, over a period of 30 years, ten years grace and a rate of 0.2 % annual.

Regarding the migration project, the Law and the regulations of the General Directorate of Migration would be applied, while the traffic one would be developed in cooperation with the Directorate General of Land Transit, the Office for the Reorganization of Land Transport, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

In addition, the georeferencing project would be developed in collaboration with the Cadastre Directorate and the Military Cartographic Institute.

The traffic project will cost 20 million dollars, the migration one 35 million dollars, while those of georeferencing mapping and construction of aqueducts have not yet been estimated.

The administration stages of these projects should be managed as soon as possible so that they can be included in the Law project of Budget and Public Expenditure for the year 2010.

The commission was composed of buisnessmen Ig Gyo Kim, president of Hyundai, the director of the company Yong Moon Choi, and Sungho Lee, international adviser.

The Dominican delegation was composed by Jose Luis Polanco, Minister Counselor, and Rafael Castro, legal counsel.

Santo Domingo Live, 13.11.09

The Dominican Republic concluded negotiations of air transport with Russia

To enhance tourism to and from the two nations

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The director of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC) and the Director of Civil Aviation of the Dominican Republic, have concluded the negotiations for signing a bilateral agreement with Russia to strengthen Relations between the two countries in this area and attract tourism to and from the two nations.

Currently, the  Transaero airline makes four flights per week from Punta Cana to Moscú and soon it will begin its operations from St. Petersburg to Punta Cana.

Both José Tomás and Luis Rodríguez Ariza, said that the Dominican Republic, through the policy of openness and access to aviation markets, developed by IDAC and the JAC sought, with this agreement, to extend these regions in the world without the presence of Dominican yet, as it is the case of the Russian Federation.

Dominican officials said the agreement established multiple designations for airlines of both countries; Russian companies have the right to travel to points of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo and Punta Cana and Dominican airlines to work on Moscow and St. Petersburg. However, with a new agreement, the companies could reach other points of both countries.

The document specifies that only one airline will be designated in each country to operate scheduled flights provided.

The Dominican delegation consisted of Ambassador of the Dominican Republic in Russia, Jorge Luis Perez Alvarado; ambassador representing the Ministry of Foreign Relations Dominican, Axel Wittkop; Pablo Lister, Minister of Civil Aviation and Colonel César Cotes member of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC).

For its part the Russian delegation was represented by Oleg O. R Demidov, Elena A. Milkheeva and Margarita A. Gryadunova, representatives of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, Natalya V. Pechinkna and Andrey M. Larchenko, officials of Transaero Airlines.

Santo Domingo Live, 16.11.09

American Airlines will increase frequency of flights in Dominican Republic in December

From Santo Domingo to New York

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- American Airlines has informed that from December 20th, the frequency of flights from Santo Domingo International Airport to John F. Kennedy, New York would be increased, aboard a Boeing 777.

The information was revealed by the President of the company, Oliver Bojos, who explained that this decision was in line with the commitment of airlines to meet the expectations of its passengers by offering more convenience and options.

American Airlines, faithful to its commitment to serve the Dominican people, has decided to increase flights frequency to meet the needs of our customers during Christmas, between the Dominican Republic and New York, said Bojos which added that the additional flight will be very interesting because we use a Boeing 777 the largest airplane of American Airlines.

In addition, the Boeing 777, will be used permanently for the way Santo Domingo to New York on Saturdays.
Currently, the airline has five customer service centres distributed throughout the Dominican territory, and offers daily flights to five international airports in the country.

Santo Domingo Live, 17.11.09

The Tower Veiramar II was inaugurated

Presentation of the work Infinito by Michel Bizet

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Metainversión Group inaugurated the Tower Veiramar II on the Malecón of Santo Domingo during an exclusive cocktail which were invited the new owners, businessmen, as well as tourists and real estate investors.

The event was chaired by the principal executive of the Meridional Group, including its president, who was accompanied by friends and acquaintances, and gave details of the building, which was blessed by the priest Félix Reyes Alba.

During the main speech of the ceremony, besides talking about the architectural and designbenefits that characterize Veiramar Tower II, the group president highlighted the quality of the structure and the magnificent sea view apartments, an asset that makes them irresistible places.

Also, the famous art critic Marianne de Tolentino, presented to the audience the work Infinito, realized by the artist Michel Bizet, arranged in the main lobby of this magnificent tower.

The activity was also present during the Meridional Foundation, an entity created in 2005 and present in 14 countries. A video projected on a giant screen displayed the work of this foundation dedicated to children in all its problems: education, training, housing, nutrition and home, which will now be more present in the Dominican Republic.

Metainversión Group is a family business, active on four continents: America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Its economic activities are developed mainly on shipping companies, although it is also working on four other areas, developed through an organization of 65 companies.

These areas are real estate, with a presence in 13 countries around the world, finance, on several markets worldwide, the shipyard and Navigation, in Spain and Turkey, and renewable energy, primarily in Europe.

The guests enjoyed a great evening on the terrace of the tower where they were able to appreciate the beauty of the area and apartments with a magnificent view over the Caribbean Sea.

Santo Domingo Live, 17.11.09

Leonel Fernández receives Colombian businessmen

They want to invest in Dominican Republic

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- President Leonel Fernández met on Tuesday a committee of Colombian businessmen wishing to invest in the Dominican Republic, particularly in the areas of road infrastructure, energy, housing, education, health, ports, food and water.

At this meeting, attended by 28 businessmen from Colombia, the proposals for the areas mentioned above have been studied, and participants agreed that a committee of the Government would go during the third week of January of next year to Colombia, and present to return to President Fernandez and the Board of Investment, the projects and defined amounts.

The director of the Centre for Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD), Eddy Martinez, said that several projects had been discussed at that meeting and what we want to know, is which of them requires a kind of strategic consideration of the Government of the Dominican Republic so they can be approved by the Board of Investments.

Mr. Martinez said that some of these business groups were already operating in the country, as Quala Dominicana, Family, with the Santo Domingo-Samaná highway.

He added that sectors related to port of Cartagena had expressed interest in investing in the port area of the country, which they believe is a strategic sector for the Dominican Republic.

The Director of CEI-RD has ensured that Colombia is one of the main investors in the nation, besides being an important trading and strategic partner of first order for the Dominican Republic.

Eddy Martínez said that the Colombian investors have indicated that they were interested to invest in the Dominican Republic, they had confidence in macroeconomic, political and social stability, and in the policies of President Leonel Fernández. Their testimony was very clear, and in that sense their disposal to continue to invest in our country.

On the other side, the Dominican Ambassador in Colombia, Angel Lockward said that some Colombian companies working in the country wanted to expand their export capacity to the market in North America, under free trade agreements signed by the country with the United States, Europe, and with CARICOM, which enables us the access to 800 million people who constitute these markets.

Also present at the meeting, the Minister of State for Works and Communications, Víctor Díaz Rúa, the director of the National Institute of Water and Sewer (INAPA), Mariano Germán, the director of the Corporation Aqueducts and Sewers of Santo Domingo (CAASD), Ramon Rivas, the president of the National Housing Institute (INVI), Alma Fernandez and the president of the National Institute of Relief and Housing (INAVI), Maritza López.

Santo Domingo Live, 18.11.09

Inauguration of the Third Dominican Film Festival

Headed by Leonel Fernández

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The President of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernández, along with the First Lady, Margarita Cedeño de Fernández, presided on Wednesday evening the opening ceremony of the Third Global Dominican Film Festival in the Hall Eduardo Brito of the National Theater, where a tribute to the career of actor Omar Sharif was celebrated.

When he was interviewed at the entrance to the Orange Carpet of the National Theater, President Leonel Fernández said that the government will develop specific measures to strengthen the film industry in the country.

Similarly, he announced that next year, a foreign film company will invest 100 million dollars to make a movie in the Dominican Republic, which will generate many jobs and stimulate the economy.

The Head of State said he hoped that with investment in the field of culture, the country can be promoted internationally and attract more foreign investment. The president said that his greatest wish was that our country can have a strong film industry, with good actors and quality production.

To achieve this, 200 young people are currently studying film career in several universities in the United States and Europe, and in the Institute of FUNGLODE said the Dominican President.

During the ceremony, a special tribute to Omar Sharif was celebrated, and the premiere of Touched, by the producer and actor Shalim Ortiz was released. The guests at the festival marched on the Orange Carpet as Sharif, Vin Diesel, Michael Madsen and Manny Perez.

Artists like Don Omar, Cuco Valoy and Milly Quezada were also present.

Santo Domingo Live, 19.11.09

Forum bio fuels and other renewable energies

To find methods of conservation and sustainable development

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarena), the National Commission of Energy (CNE) and the Alliance for Energy and Environment with Central America (AEA), organized and are currently attending the XIV Regional Forum: Bio fuels and other renewable energies, where experiences concerning bio fuels will be shared.

The opening ceremony was chaired by the Minister of Environment, Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal, who was accompanied by the President of the National Commission of Energy, Enrique Ramírez, Minister of Environment in Finland, Lehtomaki; the Ambassador of Finland, Mikko pyhala; Markku Nurmi, Chairman of the Technical Committee of the AEA Adviser and Director General of Ministry of Environment in Finland; Irene Horejs, Ambassador of the European Comission and advise the Embassy of Austria, Franz Bachkeitner.

Mr. Fernández Mirabal said that during the last century, humanity made a lot of efforts to achieve peace in the world, industrial development, science and technology, which had increased the life expectancy of people, and therefore the population significantly, pressuring the natural resources.

The achievements of mankind have so far been linked to unsustainable practices, so we must look to methods of conservation and sustainable development, said Mr. Fernández Mirabal, who also asked to realize more investments in conservation systems than in traditional production systems, which would become more expensive over time.

In opening the Forum, Enrique Ramírez highlighted the signing of a resolution created last Monday with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which sets the terms of biodiesel blends and marketing.

This resolution will be published in the coming days we hope that the Dominican Republic starts using biodiesel as a fuel standard, said the official.

He added President of the Republic appointed an Inter-institutional Commission to work on the layout and the alliance of ethanol, having as initial goal the year 2010 with 5% blend of Ethanol and Gasoline.

The Forum will end this Friday and aims to contribute to improving the environment and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. 70 international guests from Central America, Europe, Asia and the United States are participating to the event.

Santo Domingo Live, 20.11.09

Closing of the III Dominican Global Film Festival

With popular music

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Third Dominican Republic Global Film Festival ended this Sunday, November 22^nd with the presentation of documentary Sol Caribe, at the National Theatre, as part of a great musical show with the participation of popular artists who are part of the movie.

The President of the Republic attended the event which began shortly after 7:30 pm and ended with a huge ovation.

In the documentary that presents to world the origins, development and impact of popular Dominican music, through 12 representatives of popular and traditional merengue, and bachata artists like Milly Quezada, Wilfrido Vargas, Joseíto Mateo, Fefita La Grande, Jhonny Ventura, el Cieguito of Nagua and Francisco Ulloa.

But also bachata singers as José Manuel Calderón, pioneer of this kind of music, y Luis Segura and represnting Son, Fernando Echevarría, Francis Santana and Cuco Valoy.

After the screening of the documentary, an orchestra of 17 musicians under the direction of Jorge Taveras, accompanied the artists for the interpretation of the song The Door of the New World, signed by Lora Hutch and which has the four previously quoted rhythms.

Over a period of 70 minutes, Sol Caribe shows the course of different styles and sounds originating from the Dominican Republic, through the eyes of people who have promoted their music. It is through personal stories and the best of Dominican music that is told how were designed and exported to the world these music genres.

Santo Domingo Live, 24.11.09

One million passengers are expected at the Las Americas Airport

Between December and March

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- During the high season, from December 2009 to March 2010, the Dominican Republic should receive one million passengers by the Las Americas airport, spread over 5.294 flights, according to information from the Dominican Airport Consortium Century 21 (Aerodom).
The company explained that the forecast included the thousands of Dominicans living abroad who return to the country in December to visit their families.

The company said that from December 17th until January 5th, American Airlines will increase frequency on the daily route Santo Domingo to New York, and seven flights will be added to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Furthermore, the company will pass from one to two weekly flights (Wednesdays and Saturdays) for the route Santo Domingo, Boston and Miami.

For its part the company JetBlue Airways will offer from December 18th five daily flights to and from JFK International Airport in New York and one daily flight to Boston.

Aerodom also explained that the Delta Airlines will offer one daily flight to New York from December 16th and one daily flight to Atlanta from December 17th.

Santo Domingo Live, 25.11.09

National Day of Merengue

The Ministry of Culture prepares many activities

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Culture will celebrate the National Day of Merengue, declared in 2005 by Decree No. 619-05 of President Leonel Fernández.

The activities started last week with a meeting between the typical merengue performers in Jarabacoa, organized by the National Folklore.

The program continued on Tuesday with a dialogue about the words of merengue, entitled El merengue dice, led by psychologist Mirtis Contreras. This activity took place in the Hall of Art Ramón Oviedo Ministry of Culture.

Thursday 26^th, Day of Merengue, from 07:00am to 10:00am, five groups of typical music, accompanied by experienced merengue dancers will find themselves scattered at strategic points of the city of Santo Domingo.

The inhabitants of the city who go to work will be able to enjoy the typical music and dance of the Dominican Republic.

The perico ripiao and his dancers will present at the intersection of February 27th Avenue with Abraham Lincoln, February 27th Avenue with Máximo Gómez, Los Proceres Avenue with John F. Kennedy, a at Caribe Tours bus stop in Street Leopoldo Navarro and at the Metro Station Mamá Tingo of Villa Mella. During this activity, advertising material on the merengue will be distributed.

During the day, Radio Cadena Comercial and its 33 stations across the country will dedicate their programs to broadcast messages on the merengue and its historical development.

The program will begin with remarks by the Minister of Culture José Rafael Lantigua, about the importance of our national dance, and Antonio Espaillat, president of Radio Cadena Comercial.

Both entities have signed an agreement last week in which they undertake to unite their efforts to disseminate and support the Dominican music, to maintain and preserve for future generations, our national pace.

This Thursday also, from 3pm to 7pm, a workshop on the topic The merengue music, dance and words, chaired by the music collector Américo Mejía, will take place in the Hall of Culture National Theatre Eduardo Brito.

Santo Domingo Live, 25.11.09

Prague organizes a contest to discover Santo Domingo

To increase interest and knowledge of the country

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Consulate of the Dominican Republic in Prague called all university students to participate to the Discover Santo Domingo contest, aimed at increasing interests and knowledge of the country among the Czechs.

This contest is organized through a series of activities that will achieve the General Dominican Consulate to celebrate an historic event: the nomination of Santo Domingo as American Capital of Culture in 2010.

The General Dominican Consul in Prague, Carreño Ramón, explained the reasons for the historical importance of the Dominican capital, a pioneer in many areas in America.

We have a very rich culture, mainly in the city of Santo Domingo, and tourists who visit the Dominican Republic generally remains in hotels and do not visit this city. It was where the first university, the first cathedral, the first church, were built, and here was founded the first European city. It was also here that the first streets in the new world were asphalted.

Santo Domingo Live, 26.11.09

Venezolana Airlines began to operate in Dominican Republic

With the route Caracas - Santo Domingo

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- Venezolana Airlines officially opened Wednesday the route Caracas - Santo Domingo, with a daily flight that will enable businessmen, tourists and passengers to travel directly between the two countries.

The official ceremony took place in Las Américas International Airport (AILA), which has received a flight with aboard a procession led by the chairman of the airline, Williams, Posada, Director of the Tourist Promotion Office (OPT) from Dominican Republic in Venezuela, Miguelina Ruiz and the Dominican consul in that country, Mary Kasse.

On arrival at the terminal, Miguelina Ruiz has rewarded the opening of this new service, explaining that it had become a necessity for the Venezuelan tourists that can now travel daily and directly, hoping that it stimulates and contributes to increase the arrival of tourists from Venezuela.

Ms. Ruiz added that even if the airline began with flights to Santo Domingo, the goal was to connect Venezuela to other destinations such as Punta Cana, La Romana and Puerto Plata, as soon as possible.

The chairman of the Venezuela Flight Paths(RAVSA), Williams Posada, who owns the Venezolana airline, confirmed that the company established approaches to offer flights to other tourist attractions.

Tomorrow we meet with the Dominican authorities, who welcomed us in an extraordinary way to discuss some points on these flights, it is possible that within a month we travel from the airport or Maiquetía Simón Bolívar to Punta Cana he said.

Santo Domingo Live, 27.11.09

El Conde prepares for the Christmas season

Sales are back

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- Traders in the traditional street El Conde said that sales had begun to return to the approaching holiday season, while the Police stepped up surveillance in the area. The former president of the Association of Street Traders Conde, Justo García said that to boost sales this entity developed on November 16 to 22 a successful fair.

Mr. Garcia explained that the Association had ended the Christmas decorations on the streets, which will attract a greater number of visitors who wish to shop or walk.

The police vigilance in the area for that has been strengthened since Saturday : in addition to the Tourist Police, officers from the Preventive Police guard the Conde street.

This weekend, a lot of people visited the pedestrian street of the Dominican capital, including many tourists.

Santo Domingo Live, 30.11.09