JUNE 2010

Routes Americas Event to be held in Santo Domingo

Dominican Airport Century XXI will be the official host

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- Director for the Americas of Routes Development Group, Sallyann Cliff, visited the country for the purpose of defining and coordinating the logistics of holding the event Routes Americas in Santo Domingo.

The event, which is scheduled to take place February 13^th to 15^th 2011, will be officially hosted by Dominican Airport Century XXI (Aerodom).

While in Dominican Republic, the director of Routes for the Americas expressed his satisfaction that Santo Domingo will be the official site of this important international event and that Aerodom will be its host.

Routes Development Group is very pleased that Aerodom Siglo XXI is the official host of the event Routes Americas 2011, he said.

Cliff also stated that the Las Americas International Airport-JFPG (AILA) is comfortable and modern, and praised the excellent facilities that will be offered to the delegates of the event upon their arrival in the Dominican Republic.

During his meeting with executives from Aerodom, the director of Routes for the Americas said the hotels in Santo Domingo made a pleasant impression, highlighting their high standards, quality service and close proximity to the planned activities.

From the moment their arrival until the moment they depart, Routes delegates will enjoy the eclectic culture and exceptional hospitality of our hosts. Without a doubt leaving everyone with a desire to soon return to Santo Domingo he said.

Routes Americas brings together the operators of airports and airlines from around the world in four regional events and one worldwide event, with the purpose of providing a forum for negotiating new routes and increased frequencies.

Santo Domingo becomes the first city in the Caribbean to host this important event, which has the support of the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation, the Airports Department, the Civil Aviation Board, the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants and the Hotel Association of Santo Domingo.

Santo Domingo Live, 01.06.10

Gross Domestic Product will grow more than 5% in Dominican Republic

According to the forecast of the International Monetary Fund

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- A commission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded during the second revision of the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), that the Dominican Republic shows a clear economic expansion and it estimates that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 7.5 percent in the first quarter of 2010, and forecasts an increase in GDP of more than 5%.

The commission, led by IMF representative, Alejandro Santos, met between May 18th and May 28th with the Governor of the Central Bank, Hector Valdez Albizu, Ministers of Finance and Economy, Vicente Bengoa and Temistocles Montas respectively; Celso Marranzini, vice president of the CDEEE, members of the Economic and Social Cabinets, senior government officials and private sector and international community representatives, to discuss the second revision of the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), which was approved by the IMF Executive Board in November 2009.

The (IMF) predicted on the basis of these results that for the full year 2010, the real GDP growth is expected to be between 5 and 5.5 percent, while inflation will remain within the Central Bank’s target range.

Alejandro Santos said in his statements that exports and imports, tax revenues and private credit are expanding at healthy rates.

Although the inflation rate in April surpassed the Central Bank’s target of 6 to 7 percent, this was due mainly to rising prices of fuel and some food products, core inflation (which excludes these prices) is still less than 3 percent on an annual basis.

All performance criteria and structural indicators have been met for the end of March 2010 and progress is continuing to be made in all areas of the structural agenda, except for the delays in implementing the electricity reform, he added.

The head of the IMF mission said that the authorities have designed a strategy to improve tax collection through improvements in tax administration and streamlining of tax exemptions.

He also said that authorities have also designed a plan to achieve compliance with all the Basilea Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision.

Santo Domingo Live, 02.06.10

Seminar Landscape and Architecture: Tropics, West Indies and the Caribbean held in Santo Domingo

On architecture and environment

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Iberoamerican University (UNIBE), and Edwin Walter Palm Foundation, conducted a seminar entitled Landscape and Architecture: Tropics, West Indies and Caribbean, as part of the commemoration of International Environment Day.

The event was attended by Pratt Cassity, director of the Center for Community Design and Preservation, College of Environment and Design at the University of Georgia, and Cristian Martinez Villanueva, director of the Museum of Dominican Man.

In addition to the activity held at the National Botanical Garden, there was a conference by Adolph Gottschalk, biologist and landscape architect, who spoke on the topic of Landscape and Ecology. Other subjects included Regional and Local Landscape, and Landscape and Architecture.

The activity was attended by Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal, José Enrique Delmonte, President of the Edwin Walter Palm Foundation, and Vencian Ben Gil, director of the School of Architecture Unibe.

In 2009, participants at the Seminar on Architecture and Environment issued the Declaration Verde Santo Domingo 2009, which reiterated its commitment to use and apply clean technologies, renewable energies and incorporate creative elements that contribute to sustainability as a basic component of development.

Furthermore, they expressed in writing their responsibility to nature and the citizen’s right to a healthy environment, pledging to pursue all actions necessary to embrace the use of natural resources in the architectural designs of the country.

Santo Domingo Live, 03.06.10

International Regatta Sails South America 2010 comes to the Dominican Republic

Sailboats arrive at the Port of Santo Domingo on June 6^th

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- A group of sailboats and other vessels left Venezuela on Thursday heading toward the Dominican Republic to participate in the regatta which celebrates the Bicentennial of South America´s Independence from Spanish rule.

The ships originally set sail from the Brazilian port in Rio de Janeiro on February 7^th, having made stops in Monte Video, Buenos Aires, and various ports in Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador before crossing the Panama Canal and coming to the Caribbean.

Upon arrival Saturday in Venezuela, the Venezuelan Minister of Defense, Army General Carlos Mata Figueroa, in a brief televised address, welcomed the ships in the name of the commander in chief, President Hugo Chávez, the high military command and the people of Venezuela.

After spending five days at the port of La Guaira, in Venezuela, where the tall ships receives hundreds of visitors and considerable admiration from the Venezuelan population, the ships hoisted their anchors and sailed towards Santo Domingo, where they will stay from June 6th to June 9th.

About 500 people, including several school groups, waved goodbye as vessels from eight countries set sail, on a sunny day with calm seas, to their next destination on the journey that began February in Brazil.

The first ship to leave the coast of Venezuela was the Columbian Gloria, followed by the Ecuadorian Guayas, and the other great sailing ships of Brazil (White Swan), Argentina (Libertad), Chile (Esmeralda), Uruguay (Captain Miranda), Mexico (Cauhtémoc) and Venezuela, the Simón Bolívar.

The race, which came to Venezuela from the Colombian city of Cartagena, is bound for Santo Domingo, and is scheduled to end at the Mexican port of Veracruz on June 28th.

There are approximately 4,000 crew members from Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Uruguay and Venezuela, taking part in the regatta, which will cover approximately 16,000 miles (more than 28,800 km).

Santo Domingo Live, 04.06.10

National District City Council reconstructs Boulevard 27 de Febrero Avenue

Clarity will allow full enjoyment of the pedestrian promenade

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- Brigades of the National District City Council (DNA), are working on the reconstruction of the Boulevard 27 de Febrero Avenue, a recreation areas for residents of the capital.

Toward this end, the plants, which have grown to unmanageable heights, have been replaced by smaller ones.Likewise, the iron bars that lined the gardens were removed, and reconstruction work was performed on the floors and stalls that are within the area.

The deteriorated food and beverage stands which stood in the public recreation space, are no longer there, allowing the public more room to pursue activities.

The District Council reported that this restoring of the Boulevard was made possible by joint investment with some private entrepreneurs located in the areas adjacent to the pedestrian walkway.

Boulevard 27 de Febrero is a pedestrian walkway where sculptures created by contemporary artist of the country are put on permanent display.

Santo Domingo Live, 07.06.10

Italian investors to visit the country in October

To strengthen bilateral cooperation ties

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- A mission of Italian Investors from the Marche and Rome region, representing the fishing and footwear sectors will visit the Dominican Republic this October, with the aim of exploring the possibility of installing industrial plants in the North and South of the country, and to strengthen bilateral cooperation ties.

The announcement was made by the director of the Center for Industrial Development and Competitiveness (PROINDUSTRIA), Joseph A. Izquierdo, who along with other members of an official mission visited the Marche and Rome Region from the 18th to the 24th of May.

During this trip, Professor Izquierdo oversaw the signing of a memorandum of intention with business associations in the footwear sector of the Macerata and Fermo provinces, who would invest in the Dominican Republic and help revive the domestic footwear industry.

Izquierdo said that, in addition, he has drawn up a Rescue the Footwear Industry proposal, with a pilot plan in the Central Cibao region, whereby a group of manufacturers from Santiago, Moca, San Francisco and the capital will design and produce 3 to 5 brands of shoes, with an eye toward creating a national brand.

He said that this plan will be supported by Italy and Brazil, and that there is a possibility that a renown Italian industry could install a shoe factories in the country.

Izquierdo also reported that in October, Italian entrepreneurs in the fishing industry, will visit the country to establish a joint venture between Dominican and Italian businessmen. This initiative arose from a formal meeting held at the Regional Board with t he fisheries advisor of the Marche Region, Sara Giannini.

The director of PROINDUSTRIA also reviewed the protocol signed in 2009 between the government of the Marche Region and the Dominican government, which impels, in a timely manner, the sustainable development of fisheries and viticulture, among other sectors.

The Dominican delegation also participated in the International Fishing Fair in Ancona, whose closure was dedicated to the Dominican Republic. During this time, the donation ceremony was held, in the presence of Italian authorities and investors.

The members of the official mission were; Mr. Izquierdo, Fausto Araujo, deputy technical director of PROINDUSTRIA , Jacobo Acosta Urbáez, president of the Agustín Muñoz Fishermen’s Association of Pedernales, Rufino Medina Lopez, director of finance of the Fishermen’s Association of Pedernales, and Cesareo Guillermo.

Santo Domingo Live, 08.06.10

Entities evaluate the electricity sector´s plan

President Leonel Fernández will meet with International Monetary Fund, the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- President Leonel Fernandez will head a high-level meeting, on the 24^th of this month, with the International Monetary Fund, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank and power sector officials to evaluate the plan drawn up last year to solve the energy problem.

Finance Minister, Vicente Bengoa, made the announcement after a meeting with the president and executive vice president of the Dominican Corporation of State Electrical Companies (CDEEE), Celso Marranzini, who discussed the energy situation and the schedule of what will occur next semester.

There will be a very important meeting, the 24th of this month, with the IDB, IMF and the World Bank, with the sole purpose of analyzing and evaluating the plan that was designed last year for the electricity sector, then, representatives fromthe highest level of these international bodies will come to meet with the president, he said.

The meeting will be held at the National Palace.

Santo Domingo Live, 09.06.10

Promotion of the city of Santo Domingo as a tourist destination

During the XIV edition of the Caribbean Tourim Exchange

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The president of the Caribbean Tourism Exchange (BTC), Luis Felipe Aquino, said the XIV edition of the Caribbean Tourism Exchange, to be held from the 17th to the 19^th of June, is the perfect forum to promote the city of Santo Domingo as a tourist destination throughout Latin America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Felipe Aquino said in his interview, that during the Fourteenth Edition of the Caribbean Tourism Exchange, Santo Domingo will project itself as a destination that has a variety of cultural and natural attractions that can generate a market demand of the area.

According to the President of the BTC, this event, which will be held in the Convention Center of the Dominican Fiesta Hotel, will serve to demonstrate the history, the cuisine and the excellent hotel industry of the country.

The country has a lot to offer, he said and mentioned, among other attractions the Colonial Zone, the entertainment venues and the subway.

Participating in this event will be, tour operators, Jet Blue, several French Caribbean islands, Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador as well as all agencies of the country.

The event will also have a business conference to promote, market and sell the products and services of the tourist and real estate sectors.

There will also be interaction between buyers and sellers of conferences and conventions, golf tourism, cruise tourism and eco-tourism. There will also be the first BTC Food Festival and a rum tasting event.

In another aspect Aquino added that the Dominican Republic has enough attractions to be a family vacation destination.

Santo Domingo Live, 10.06.10

Program initiated to promote tourist flow to the Dominican Republic

With a goal to increase flights to the country by ten percent

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Dominican government and the international airport operators and private dealers are developing a comprehensive program, in various international fairs of private aviation, to increase the flow of tourists into the country.

Aristides Fernandez Zucco, chief executive of the Department of Airports and entrepreneurs Frank Ranieri, chairman of Grupo Punta Cana, and Felix Garcia, president of the Cibao International Airport, led a meeting at which the preparations for the fairs were announced.

Mr. Fernandez Zucco said the purpose is to increase flights to the Dominican Republic by ten percent, citing that the country has the best airport facilities for the development of this type of tourism.

The official said this was a promising event for the country, the Dominican business community integrating the industry and visitors, through a coordinated effort between the Ministry of Tourism, the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation, the Airports Department and other public and private institutions.

He Highlighted the work of Francisco Javier García, Minister of Tourism and José Tomás Pérez, director general of the CABG, and the technical staff of these institutions.

For his part, Mr. Ranieri said he appreciates the efforts of the government authorities, because such actions strengthen the machinery of private and commercial aviation, while pointing to the airport facilities offered by the Dominican Republic.

I understand that by the public and private sectors working together, we will be able to make great strides and achieve growth with firm steps.

He added that he supports such an initiative because it is the best way to begin to develop tourism in these regions of the country, which have tremendous resources, but so far not been exploited.

We applaud the initiative of the Airports Department, who has been able to coordinate all sectors and take this project forward, Rodriguez said.

Santo Domingo Live, 11.06.10

22% of Dominicans access the Internet through their cell phones

Internet advertising is a very effective marketing tool

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- An investigation into the use of the internet by Dominicans, and submitted to the board of the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (Indotel) by New Link Research company, reveals that 22% of the participants in the study have access to internet on their cell phones.

It states that the vision of the future of the Internet and its applications is growing as well as its access in the Dominican Republic.

He added that it is believed that (this tool) will move to other forms of media and be integrated into the virtual environment. He noted that the influence of the Internet in education will be key, and that its use will continue to diversify in the country.

The Study on Social Media and Web 2.0 Media and Web 2.0 in the Dominican Republic was introduced by Vielka Polanco, a representative of Link Research, the members of the board of Indotel, Dr. José Rafael Vargas, President, David Pérez, Juan Antonio Delgado and Leonel Melo, members and executive director, Dr. Joelle Exarhakos

The investigation found that the home was the preferred location for Internet use, with 2.9 million Dominicans connecting or using the computer an average of 3 hours per day. It also found that younger users stay on the computer upwards of 8 hours a day, while their older counterparts tend to pursue other leisure activities.

This study, which was the first of its kind in the Dominican Republic, also discovered that the main reasons the participants use of the computer were; to stay in touch, to stay informed and for entertainment, with the most visited web pages being; Google followed by Facebook and Hotmail/Messenger.

Furthermore, the research determined that advertising on the Internet is an effective method, for both sellers and buyers, however, little is known about how to maximize its potential.

Santo Domingo Live, 14.06.10

President Leonel Fernandez heads meeting at the National Palace

With economic team, the International Monetary Fund, and the Dominican Corporation of State Electrical Companies

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- President Leonel Fernandez met Monday with officials of his economic team, the electrical sector, and executives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who reviewed progress in the energy sector, as well as the lack of available resources needed to cover the electricity subsidy for the remainder of year.

Upon completion of the meeting, which lasted over an hour in the chamber on the third floor of the National Palace, Vice President of the Dominican Corporation of State Electrical Companies (CDE), Celso Marranzini, stated that the technicians of this institution and the IMF will soon have the estimates for the necessary resources.

Marranzini said there will be another meeting this week, probably on Tuesday or Wednesday. He classified the meeting led by Fernandez as very positive, we discussed the fact that subsidy is insufficient and that we must seek solutions, he said.

He said that the IMF reported that the power deficit in 2008, which was one thousand two hundred million dollars, could be reduced to less than half that in 2010.

He described as very good the position of the IMF to accept that the Government seeks the resources to expand the national budget and to continue with the subsidies in the energy sector.

However, he said that the authorities must try to avoid being affected by the Stand-By agreement the country has with the IMF, and so far all sectors involved have complied, he said.

Santo Domingo Live, 15.06.10

Dominican Institute of Telecommunications to install fiber optics in the country

Dominican delegation visits Jamaica

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- A delegation of the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel), chaired by the minister and chairperson of the regulatory body, José Rafael Vargas, is in Kingston, Jamaica, to gain from the experience of the company Flow in the deployment and operation of the fiber optic network that covers the entire territory of Jamaica. The mission includes, in addition to Mr. Vargas, the adviser of Indotel Juan Antonio Delgado, and consultants Ricourt Salvador and Edwin San Román.

The activity was attended by Mario Vignali, director of Implementation Services and Backhaul Solutions of Columbus Networks, and John M. Garwacki, Project Manager, while the company Flow was represented by Carlton Flow Baxter, director of Engineering; Graig Pink, director of Information Technology, and Morris Reid, a fiber design engineer.

Vargas said the Indotel, within its role of promoting the expansion of infrastructure, is developing a project to enable the deployment of fiber optics that will cover all provinces.For this reason he was very interested in the experience of Jamaica, a leader in fiber optic deployment, which now extends across the country with more than 2,500 kilometers of optical fiber.

We need the speed with which the Internet is now provided to be multiplied by ten and for the price to drop considerably in order to keep pace with more developed countries. The only way to achieve this is to employ fiber optics, which can carry large amounts of information to all parties in the Dominican Republic he said.

He said that the experience of the Jamaicans will help us to define the technical aspects and the role that Indotel will have in this endeavor.

Santo Domingo Live, 16.06.10

President Fernández receives Edmond Mulet

Head of United Nations Mission for Stabilization in Haiti

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- President Leonel Fernández met with Edmond Mulet, the head of the United Nations Mission for the Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH), in his office at the National Palace on Monday, where the two shared views on the reconstruction process in neighboring Caribbean nation.

Mr. Mulet thanked the president for responding quickly to the situation in Haiti caused by the earthquake January 12^th.
He explained that after the Summit on the Future of Haiti: Solidarity after the Crisis, it was important to meet with the president to share ideas on how to continue the process of reconstruction of that nation in his capacity as head of MINUSTAH.

I´m grateful for President Fernandez’s leadership and the Dominican Republic´s response to this crisis and not just the government but also the Dominican citizens, who arrived by the thousands in Haiti, on a voluntary basis, in their cars, carrying water, juice, food, and medicine for the Haitian people during the first weeks of the emergency and that, I think saved many lives in Haiti, stated the head of the MINUSTAH.

He stated that this Thursday the Interim Commission for the Reconstruction of the Haitian people will be officially installed and that this team will be co-chaired by former President Bill Clinton and Prime Minister of Haiti, Jean-Max Bellerive, Haitian representatives and representatives of the international community.

This Commission will identify the priorities for reconstruction and will authorize the expenditures that have been offered by donors, that is, the country’s reconstruction will be done, said Edmond Mulet, after leaving the presidential office.

He added that providing people with tents, shelter, meals, and drinking water must be left behind and a move needs to be taken toward giving people more solid structures that can withstand the hurricane season ahead.

In addition, he said he spoke with the President about the concerns regarding lack of security in Haiti, as more than 4,200 criminals have escaped from the Central Penitentiary.

This is a topic that MINUSTAH forces are confronting and supporting the Haitian National Police, as many of the criminals who wished to cross the border into the Dominican Republic were arrested before doing so.

The United Nations official, said that the situation of these prisoners is under control and is being handled effectively.
Finally, Mulet said he discussed with the President, the Haitian elections, which are to be held November 18^th.

The conversation I had with President Fernández was to keep him informed of all the processes, being that the Dominican Republic shares the island with Haiti, it is important to keep the lines of communication open said the head of the MINUSTAH.

Santo Domingo Live, 17.06.10

American Chamber of Commerce organizes seminar Impact of Logistics in the Facilitation of Commerce

Director of the National Council for Competitiveness cites advances in commercial facilitation

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The director of the National Council for Competitiveness (CNC), Andrés Van der Horst Álvarez, attributed the advances of the country in commerce and logistics to the joining of the public and private sectors in designing and implementing the required legal and administrative reforms of the transport services, infrastructures and logistical capacities.

Upon participating in the seminar, Impact of the Logistics in the Facilitation of Commerce, given by the American Chamber of Commerce, the secretary of State gave as an example the newly initiated project of the cargo transporters affiliated with the National Transportation Network (RNTT), and the ports which validate their fingerprints with an identification card.

He, likewise, spoke about the actions being carried out to increase logistical capabilities, like the case of the resolution for the installation of collection centers, proposed by the Law of Competitiveness and Innovation. This initiative of the CNC, promotes commerce and the development of the logistical activities of the national industry, and its integration with the free trade zones, he said.

In this exposition he, furthermore, pointed out that the Dominican Republic moved up 8 places in terms of commercial facilitation, taking the highest position among Caribbean nations, according to the list compiled by the Commercial Facilitation Report of the World Economic Forum 2010.

His report stated that with this move the Dominican Republic replaced Jamaica and was the most advanced in a comparison of the nations in Central America. It went on to say that the Dominican Republic went up 13 positions in Customs Clearance, 23 in Access to Markets, and 10 in Transportation and Communication Infrastructure.

He indicated that despite these achievements, the Dominican Republic still required clear, quick procedures, automation, the implementation of security systems, and structural reforms in transport in order to continue with the advances.

Finally, he stated that the Committee for the Facilitation of Commerce, made up of members of the private and public sectors, would work to procure and reach these objectives.

Santo Domingo Live, 18.06.10

Summit of the Leaders of the Global Pact of the United Nations

Dominican Republic to participate in the event in New York

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Administrative vice-minister to the President, Víctor Sánchez, will represent the Dominican Republic at the Summitof the Leaders of the Global Pact of the United Nations 2010, which is set to take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Sánchez will be joined by ministers: Jorge Hage Sobrinho (Brazil), Rodolphe Adada (Congo), Brian Mikkelsen (Denmark), Momodou S. Foon (Gambia), Ali Baban (Iraq), Karl Samuda (Jamaica), Heriberto Félix Guerra (México), Hage Geingob (Namibia), Chief Emeka Wogu (Nigeria) y Alan Ducan (United Kingdom).

Other ministers who will participate include those from; China, Colombia, the United States, Finland, France, India, Israel, Italy, Korea, Perú, Qatar, Sweden, Switzerland and the Ukraine.

As of today, more than 800 participants are registered, from all continents, and Latin America will be represented by; Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Jamaica, República Dominicana, Haití, México, Panamá, Uruguay, Perú and Venezuela.

The Summit of the Leaders of Ministries and Businesses, which will be presided over by the General Secretary of the U.N., Ban Ki-moon, will begin June 23rd and end on June 25^th.

The Dominican Republic will have the opportunity to discuss ´´How government can promote corporate responsibility through a variety of political measures and the participation of the private sector, in particular in the support of the Developmental Objectives of the Millennium (ODM)´´.

The Dominican delegation also includes; John R. Gagain Jr, executive manager of the Dominican Network of the Global Pact of the ONU, Manuel Grullón, Banco Popular, Manuel Arsenio Ureña, Banco Ademi; Carlos Guillermo León, León Financial Group; Jean Marc Harion, Orange Dominicana; Carlos Fuente, Fuente Tabacalera and Dennis Simó Alvarez, Banco Múltiple Caribe.

Santo Domingo Live, 21.06.10

Celebration of Music Day in the Colonial City

¡A Huge Success !

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- Jean Solito, was joined by many in his project of bringing the Fête de la Musique (Music Day) to the Dominican Republic, he had already successfully done so at the French Alliance, but this year he thought bigger, like any good manager would, and with the help of many, this year filled the whole Colonial Zone with music.

The stages were the streets, parks and corners of The Zone , with presentations that included as major scenarios: The Plaza of Spain where there was a performance of various musical genres, from folk music to native rhythms. Performers, such as Audrey Campos, and international guests, like French singer, Stevy Mahy, made appearances.

In addition, el Parque Colón, El Conde, El Parque San José, el Parque Duarte, la calle Arzobispo Portes, la calle Las Damas, El Centro Cultural Aecid , La Fundación Juan Mayí, El Teatro Las Máscaras, y el Teatro Guloya, were converted into stages where there were performances by Folk and Bachata groups, Choirs, and Rock bands, among others.Almost any group and rhythm you could think of performed in one of these spaces.

Not to be left out was el Parque Fray Bartolome de las Casas, in which was presented a circuit coordinated by Casa de Teatro, where songwriters like Marel Alemany and Pavel Nuñez, gave a musical embrace to the crowd, along with troubadour, Lenny Abreu.

The Music Festival was organized by the French Alliance, and it was sponsored by Air Caraibes, Odebrecht, Grabo Style, National District Municipality (DNA), Hostel Nicolas de Ovando, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, the French Embassy, and was supported by the Tourism Cluster of Santo Domingo.

Santo Domingo Live, 22.06.10

The Caribbean Tourism Exchange 2010 successfully promotes Santo Domingo

Establishes agreements between airlines and hotel chains

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The fourteenth edition of the Caribbean Tourism Exchange (BTC 2010), held last weekend, managed to strengthen the promotion of the city of Santo Domingo as a tourist destination, attracting attention not only for its cultural attributes and architecture, but also for its gourmet food options.

Luis Felipe Aquino, president of the BTC , reported that the event was attended by several exhibitors and vendors, including Ambassador hotel chain, Sol Melia, Barcelo, Avis Rent a Car, Banco Popular and other related tourism industry companies.Tour operators from Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Costa Rica and the Caribbean islands Guadeloupe, Martinique and Curacao, were also in attendance.

Our guests were able to participate in business round tables, which is the focal point of the contracts and business relationships that have already been developed, Aquino explained.

Mr. Aquino added that all the travel agencies in the Dominican Republic attended the event, and some important agreements were made between airlines and hotel chains in the exhibition.

He stated that the success of the exhibition is that it works in conjunction with the markets of the area, which assist the work of the public and private sectors to capture the large number of tourists from traditional markets such as, Canada, the United States, Europe, and other emerging states such as Russia.

Santo Domingo Live, 23.06.10

Dominican Republic is the Country that Best Receives Tourists

XVIII Travelranking Awards from Spain

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic received the award for the Country that Best Receives Tourists during the XVIII Travelranking Awards, one of the most prestigious honors in the Spanish tourism sector.

Winners were selected through a survey of travel agents from various regions of Spain in 2009.

The award was accepted by the director of the Office of Tourism for Spain and Portugal, Paola Dmitri Buonpensiere, from the Secretary General of the Tourism Institute of Spain, Isabel Garaña.

This award is thanks to the many anonymous faces behind the Dominican tourist industry who make it possible for tourist to spend an unforgettably enjoyable time. It is they who have won this award, tourism is a part of our culture and to serve is our calling. said Dmitri upon receiving the award.

During the ceremony the important of travel agencies was also recognized and awards were given for; best airline, best Business class hotel, best vacation hotel, best hotel chain,  best rent-a-car, and best cruise line, among others.

Santo Domingo Live, 24.06.10

Juan Barón Plaza in Santo Domingo completely renovated

A place of entertainment for families in the capital

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The pier has recovered the brightness and splendor of an earlier era, when families came on the weekends looking for a place for recreation and leisure. The opening of Juan Barón Plaza (opposite the old park, Eugenio Maria de Hostos) has managed to rescue an important area in this zone and relive what years ago was a tradition for most families in the capital.

Even better, visits to the square are not limited to weekends, but have slowly been gaining the acceptance of people of all ages who wish to fly kites, go for a ride or enjoy outdoor events. Juan Baron Plaza has everything: a large open space for recreation, restaurants and a magnificent view of the sea that anyone would love.

Juan Baron Plaza covers an area of 21,000 square meters. An important part of which is surrounded by a commercial area with seven diverse food locations: Creole, Spanish, seafood, hot dogs, pizza, tacos and a bar and lounge.

These establishments organize daily activities to attract visitors, such as karaoke, contests, sporting events and live performances. Independently, the musicians who improvise meringue rhythms or artist who do puppet shows also help to make the environment more enjoyable.

Availability of the Plaza

The huge open air spaces that can be used for sports, concerts, or contests, make the plaza an ideal location for large events and family gathering.In addition to its green areas, the plaza has a bicycle-path that runs around the perimeter and on weekends miniature vehicles can be rented as a special treat for the children.
Unlike other areas of the Malecon, Juan Baron Plaza is well lit and has round the clock police protection.

Santo Domingo Live, 25.06.10

Leonel Fernández and René Préval to meet Monday in Santo Domingo

For the relaunch of the Joint Bilateral Commission Dominico - Haitian

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Presidents Leonel Fernandez and René Préval will meet Monday in Santo Domingo for the relaunch of the Joint Bilateral Commission Dominico - Haitian, created to streamline and to deepen economic, commercial, educational, cultural, and environmental cooperation between the two countries.

The Haitian president will arrive shortly after four o’clock in the afternoon on a private flight landing at the International Airport of Las Americas, from Port au Prince.
René Préval, who will be accompanied by Prime Minister Jean Max Bellerive, and the First Lady, will then visit the headquarters of the Presidential Palace, where they will be greeted by the Dominican president in his office.

The Haitian president will also be accompanied on his trip to the Dominican Republic by his security chief, Bernard Elie, as well as his executive assistant, Mrs. Shela Caze.
The Joint Bilateral Commission was formed in 1996 by representatives from the public and private sectors of both countries and is presently inactive.

Santo Domingo Live, 28.06.10

President Fernández meets with President René Préval

Agree to revive the Joint Bilateral Commission Dominico - Haitian

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- President Leonel Fernández met with his Haitian counterpart, René Préval, on Monday at his office at the National Palace, who agreed to a July 30^th meeting of the Joint Bilateral Dominico - Haitian in Port au Prince, with the aim of re-initiating the agreements signed by the commission.

It was agreed in the presence of the two presidents, on July 30^th, Dominican officials and Haitian authorities, we will meet in Puerto Principe for the purpose of implementing the Joint Binational Commission between the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti said Temistocles Montas, Minister of Economy, Planning and Development.

He stated that both the Dominican and Haitian leaders showed interest in the resumption of the Commission and, for this reason, agreed to hold the first meeting in the Haitian capital for its re-launch.

It was also agreed that Fernández would stay overnight in Haiti, and that on July 31^st, would travel to the northern part of that nation to begin the construction of the university that the government of the Dominican Republic has pledged to donate in response the earthquake of Jan. 12.

I think both countries will continue to set as a priority the issue of reconstruction of Haiti, I think it is the fundamental issue, said Mr. Montas.

He added that the agenda between Haiti and the Dominican Republic has to be further developed, such as, the issues of trade, border, migration, drug trafficking and security and that all of these aspects will be addressed by the Commission.

While the Haitian Prime Minister stressed that what happened today was a meeting between two men who have a clear vision of how each can help the reconstruction of the country.

We are accompanied by several ministers in my government to see how the resumption of the work of the Joint Commission can be accomplished as quickly as possible, said Jean Max Bellerive.

Bellerive was confident that the funds pledged at the summit in Punta Cana will continue to be received by his country. So far, what has had to arrive, has arrived he declared. It should be noted that the first Joint Declaration was signed on March 13^th, 1996 between President Joaquin Balaguer and Préval and re-established that same year with the election of Leonel Fernández.

Through this Commission there have been agreements reached on agricultural health, sports cooperation, postal services, mechanisms for the repatriation of Haitian citizens, health, environment, and security issues, among others.

In attendance were the First Ladies of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Margarita Cedeño de Fernández and Elizabeth Préval, respectively, the Dominican minister of Industry and Commerce, José Ramón Fadul, the ministers of Haitians living abroad, Edwin Paraison, Marie Michele Rey and Industry and Trade, Joselyn Colimon Thechiere.

Santo Domingo Live, 29.06.10

National Theatre Festival ends today

On display were 23 plays and workshops

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The National Theatre Festival ends on Wednesday, after a successful 22 days run, thanks to massive public support, affordable prices, and the best of Dominican and international drama.

During the festival, organized by the Ministry of Culture, there were 23 plays in addition to workshops on Character Building, Preparing Portfolios and the Integration of the Performing Arts.

The director of National Theater Festival and International Karina Noble reported that the investment for this festival was more than 2.5 million dollars in support of the participating theatrical groups.

The festival was attended by prominent directors like Geovanny Cruz, who performed his work A cold coffee in the street el Conde. In addition, The Gronholm method, directed by Mario Lebrón, overwhelmed the capacity crowd at the National Theatre.

Among the newer works brought to the theatrical festival, was the play Men on the verge of a nervous breakdown, directed by Raul Martin, which received an excellent reception from the public. The event was also attended by: the Embassy of Brazil, which presented the play Three Cigarettes and the last lasagna, a theater company from Spain called I’m Bored, and the renowned Spanish director Guillermo Heras completed various courses and workshops.

The festival was dedicated to playwrights Rafael Villalona and Danilo Taveras.The company Puesta Adentro will close the festival tomorrow with a production of, La noche de asesinos , directed by Orestes Amador.The closing ceremony will take place in the Palace of Fine Arts, at 6:00 _p.m.

Santo Domingo Live, 30.06.10