NewsWhore
02-23-2009, 02:00 PM
The president of the National Business Council (Conep) has expressed his concern about the DR government's rapid rate of indebtedness. Lisandro Macarrulla says that the government handling of the electricity sector is one of the reasons for taking on more debt. He mentioned the subsidy of more than US$1 billion, which in great measure was financed by taking on more debt through the PetroCaribe agreement with Venezuela. "Then we believe that is an irresponsible way of dealing with the electricity deficit," he said during an interview on Channel 9's Lideres program. Macarrulla also said that the escalation of the price of fuel to almost US$200 a barrel also explains the increase in indebtedness.
Macarrulla said that the authorities are giving contradictory signs when it comes to public spending. On the one hand they have an austerity policy, but on the other there is lots of wasteful spending. "Recently we have seen how the government has increased its contingent in missions abroad, and the number of deputy ministers. When we have to recognize that when it comes to propane gas subsidies, and those handled by the government Social Cabinet, there have been advances," he said. He said the business community would like to see the government take on an austerity plan given the present economic difficulties, because this is a time for "everyone to make sacrifices", he told El Caribe.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)
Macarrulla said that the authorities are giving contradictory signs when it comes to public spending. On the one hand they have an austerity policy, but on the other there is lots of wasteful spending. "Recently we have seen how the government has increased its contingent in missions abroad, and the number of deputy ministers. When we have to recognize that when it comes to propane gas subsidies, and those handled by the government Social Cabinet, there have been advances," he said. He said the business community would like to see the government take on an austerity plan given the present economic difficulties, because this is a time for "everyone to make sacrifices", he told El Caribe.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)