NewsWhore
03-22-2007, 03:30 PM
President Leonel Fernandez has launched a new national program aimed at preparing the country for the challenges of the next 15 years. At an event held at the Hotel Renaissance Jaragua yesterday, he said that the implementation of the National Competitiveness Plan could make the difference between DR-CAFTA being a national catastrophe or a national opportunity. He said the great advantage of DR-CAFTA over the former Caribbean Basin Initiative is centered on the fact that DR-CAFTA modifies the concept of rules of origin. From now on, inputs can come from countries other than the US, as long as 80% of the product is manufactured in the DR.
The challenge now is to attract investments from Asia and South America to export to the US, said the President. He stressed that the DR now needs to take advantage of the global linkages in the production chain, thus becoming part of this global network, making the most of its proximity to the United States.
"This is a great opportunity for the Dominican Republic's transformation into the gateway to the United States," he said.
The President highlighted the symbolic significance of DR-CAFTA entering into effect on 1 March followed by the National Competitiveness Plan 20 days later. "We are witnessing a change in paradigm, and our great challenge is to become an exporting nation," he announced to an audience of the nation's leading businesspeople. He said that the country needed to diversify its markets, because 85% of current exports are to the US. Fernandez stressed that his government seeks to maintain the present high growth levels, but at the same time achieve the increase in jobs and reduction in poverty that will bring about integrated human development.
President Fernandez announced that his vision is for free zone industries to converge with national manufacturers in general, and that local goods may be able to compete with foreign imports in the domestic market.
At the event, President Fernandez announced that a new legal framework would be sent to Congress, including the Law of Competitiveness for Industry & Innovation and the creation of ProIndustria, the Center for Development and Industrial Competitiveness. Both seek to implement policies for stimulating innovation and competitiveness in industry, aimed at increasing the value added in our exports.
President Fernandez also announced a plan to implement a program to help businesses access the RD$36 billion in pension funds. Likewise, he highlighted the impact of the infrastructure concessions law on Dominican development, which would allow for public-private partnerships to build infrastructure works nationwide.
Innovation is high on the President's agenda, and he announced that three large centers for innovation development had been installed - UASD, PUCMM with Rochester Institute of Technology and at the Las Americas Institute of Technology (Stevens Institute of Technology).
Furthermore, he said that efforts were under way for the country to liaise with the Florida High Tech Corridor in the development of joint projects.
He also announced the strengthening of the National Competitiveness Council, with US$25 million allotted of an expected US$100 million fund from the Inter-American Development Bank.
For a summary of the plan, see http://dr1.com/news/2007/032207_PNCS.pdf
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)
The challenge now is to attract investments from Asia and South America to export to the US, said the President. He stressed that the DR now needs to take advantage of the global linkages in the production chain, thus becoming part of this global network, making the most of its proximity to the United States.
"This is a great opportunity for the Dominican Republic's transformation into the gateway to the United States," he said.
The President highlighted the symbolic significance of DR-CAFTA entering into effect on 1 March followed by the National Competitiveness Plan 20 days later. "We are witnessing a change in paradigm, and our great challenge is to become an exporting nation," he announced to an audience of the nation's leading businesspeople. He said that the country needed to diversify its markets, because 85% of current exports are to the US. Fernandez stressed that his government seeks to maintain the present high growth levels, but at the same time achieve the increase in jobs and reduction in poverty that will bring about integrated human development.
President Fernandez announced that his vision is for free zone industries to converge with national manufacturers in general, and that local goods may be able to compete with foreign imports in the domestic market.
At the event, President Fernandez announced that a new legal framework would be sent to Congress, including the Law of Competitiveness for Industry & Innovation and the creation of ProIndustria, the Center for Development and Industrial Competitiveness. Both seek to implement policies for stimulating innovation and competitiveness in industry, aimed at increasing the value added in our exports.
President Fernandez also announced a plan to implement a program to help businesses access the RD$36 billion in pension funds. Likewise, he highlighted the impact of the infrastructure concessions law on Dominican development, which would allow for public-private partnerships to build infrastructure works nationwide.
Innovation is high on the President's agenda, and he announced that three large centers for innovation development had been installed - UASD, PUCMM with Rochester Institute of Technology and at the Las Americas Institute of Technology (Stevens Institute of Technology).
Furthermore, he said that efforts were under way for the country to liaise with the Florida High Tech Corridor in the development of joint projects.
He also announced the strengthening of the National Competitiveness Council, with US$25 million allotted of an expected US$100 million fund from the Inter-American Development Bank.
For a summary of the plan, see http://dr1.com/news/2007/032207_PNCS.pdf
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)