NewsWhore
04-14-2011, 05:50 PM
During their interviews for yesterday's Corripio News Group luncheon meeting, industry sector representatives agreed that for the economy of the Dominican Republic to continue growing, there is a need to strengthen the productive sector and solve problems that affect competitiveness.
Ligia Bonetti, president of the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD) mentioned obstacles include quality and cost of electricity, the high cost of ground transport, limited access to credit and deficiencies in the public education system. Overcoming these obstacles, she said, is necessary if the country is to make the most of its free trade agreements. "As we are engaged in this process of globalization and opening up, we have to find the ways to make the country more competitive," she said. She said the trade agreements have brought an increase in imports but not in exports, reflected in the current account deficit in the balance of payments. She said this is a consequence of the lack of competitiveness.
She highlighted that the DR needs an economic model that stimulates exports so that the generation of hard currency does not have to depend on foreign investment or international borrowing.
"Instead of taking on debt or sitting waiting for foreign investment to come in, let's build a model that stimulates exports and industrial development," she said.
Industrialists Association (AIRD) vice president Celso Juan Marranzini said that the DR has not benefited from the free trade agreements, but that it had a deficit of US$300 million with Central America and US$3 billion with the United States.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)
Ligia Bonetti, president of the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD) mentioned obstacles include quality and cost of electricity, the high cost of ground transport, limited access to credit and deficiencies in the public education system. Overcoming these obstacles, she said, is necessary if the country is to make the most of its free trade agreements. "As we are engaged in this process of globalization and opening up, we have to find the ways to make the country more competitive," she said. She said the trade agreements have brought an increase in imports but not in exports, reflected in the current account deficit in the balance of payments. She said this is a consequence of the lack of competitiveness.
She highlighted that the DR needs an economic model that stimulates exports so that the generation of hard currency does not have to depend on foreign investment or international borrowing.
"Instead of taking on debt or sitting waiting for foreign investment to come in, let's build a model that stimulates exports and industrial development," she said.
Industrialists Association (AIRD) vice president Celso Juan Marranzini said that the DR has not benefited from the free trade agreements, but that it had a deficit of US$300 million with Central America and US$3 billion with the United States.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)