NewsWhore
05-12-2009, 06:20 PM
Hacienda Minister Vicente Bengoa expects the economy to generate US$498 million less this year. He forecast that remittances would fall by 6%, some US$187 million; tourism would decline by 5%, some US$308 million and that industrial free zones would fall by 10% or US$102 million.
Nevertheless, Bengoa said that on the positive side, the country would pay US$1.42 billion less for petrol imports this year. Last year imports totaled US$4.24 billion, and this year they are expected to be US$2.82 billion.
The second bright spot is direct foreign investment. He is optimistic that several of the US$14.5 billion in projects approved by the Ministry of Tourism will begin construction this year, as well as the start of the US$3.15 billion Barrick Gold investment in the central province of Sanchez Ramirez (Cotui).
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#4)
Nevertheless, Bengoa said that on the positive side, the country would pay US$1.42 billion less for petrol imports this year. Last year imports totaled US$4.24 billion, and this year they are expected to be US$2.82 billion.
The second bright spot is direct foreign investment. He is optimistic that several of the US$14.5 billion in projects approved by the Ministry of Tourism will begin construction this year, as well as the start of the US$3.15 billion Barrick Gold investment in the central province of Sanchez Ramirez (Cotui).
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#4)