DR News
President Luis Abinader and Tourism Minister David Collado visited Cabo Rojo in southwestern Pedernales last Wednesday, 16 October 2024 to inaugurate the second phase of Port Cabo Rojo.
The port can accommodate two Oasis-class cruise ships simultaneously, or 15,000 passengers at once. This milestone comes as the port solidifies its role as a key driver of tourism development in the southern region of the Dominican Republic.
The second phase of Port Cabo Rojo includes a thematic fair, water park, bars, pools, shops, and restaurants, aimed at enhancing the visitor experience.
Port Cabo Rojo is part of a broader Tourism Development Project in Cabo Rojo, driven by the Public-Private Partnerships Agency, the Pro-Pedernales Trust, and the Ministry of Tourism.
The event was marked by the arrival of the cruise ship Adventure of the Seas, which docked at the newly opened port for the first time. This vessel can carry 3,114 passengers and 1,185 crew members.
Cruise lines have been sending cruise ships to Cabo Rojo to test the port and the acceptance of the destination by their customers.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, President Abinader emphasized the robust growth of tourism in Pedernales, affirming his commitment to ongoing development in the area. “Tourism is thriving here in Pedernales, and we will continue to foster progress across every sector,” he stated.
Minister Collado welcomed the cruise passengers and highlighted the significant economic impact of their visit on the province and the wider southern region. “Today, we take another significant step in our efforts to diversify the tourism offerings of the Dominican Republic. The arrival of thousands of visitors is an invaluable opportunity for local communities, driving economic development and showcasing our natural beauty,” he remarked.
Jean Luis Rodríguez, executive director of the Dominican Port Authority (Apordom) described the economic impact of Port Cabo Rojo as substantial, estimating between US$120 million to US$150 million in the potential investments and job creation in the area.
Sigmund Freund, director of the Pro-Pedernales Trust, pointed out that the arrival of the cruise ship solidifies Cabo Rojo’s positioning in international cruise markets. He reported that ongoing infrastructure projects, including hotels, an airport, and improved roads, are well-advanced and demonstrate the government’s commitment to establishing a world-class tourist destination.
Mauricio Hamui, CEO of the Mexican ITM Group that has the concession for the port, emphasized that the arrival of new cruise ships reflects a commitment to the economic development of the province, with the vision of attracting one million cruise visitors annually. ITM Group also has a concession for the Taino Bay Port in Puerto Plata.
Upon disembarking, tourists were greeted with live music, cultural performances, and a showcase of local crafts, including the renowned larimar stone, a symbol of the region’s identity.
Source: DR1, Diario Libre
Oct 23, 2024
The Chamber of Deputies agreed to withdraw the controversial tax reform bill at the request of President Luis Abinader. The decision follows widespread public opposition to the proposed legislation.
The government’s spokesperson, Homero Figueroa, has suggested that the general public may not have fully appreciated the positive aspects of the proposed tax reform. However, the widespread opposition ultimately led the administration to reconsider its position. Figueroa explained on the El Sol de la Mañana morning talk show that the surveys carried out by the Presidency showed overwhelming rejection. He said the government understood if the debates would have been extended this would impact living in the country. He said the focus in the country would have become “monothematic” and thus the decision to pull the bill.
In an official communication delivered by the government’s legal counsel Antoliano Peralta on Monday, 21 October 2024, President Abinader formally requested that the Fiscal Modernization Bill submitted on 8 October 2024 be removed from the legislative agenda. Chamber President Alfredo Pacheco promptly ordered the reading of this communication at the beginning of the session on 22 October 2024 and the bill was pulled.
The decision to shelve the bill comes after a public hearing on 17 October, during which over 100 individuals and businesses expressed their opposition to the proposed tax increases. Despite recognizing the need for tax reform, many citizens and businesses voiced concerns about the specific measures outlined in the bill.
Chamber of Deputies president Pacheco acknowledged the significant public participation in the hearing, emphasizing the importance of listening to the concerns of the Dominican people. He also expressed hope that future administrations would prioritize inclusive decision-making processes when considering similar legislation.
Pacheco said the Chamber of Deputies would compile the proposals deposited by sectors with alternatives to the government tax proposals.
Source: DR1, Hoy
Oct 23, 2024
The people smuggling networks respond to the demand for the service. Haitians cross the border given the insecurity, lack of jobs and social services in Haiti. In the DR, they find work and bring their families, where these receive medical and education services for free. The networks help the undocumented migrants to bypass the law.
Business leaders have put forth a series of proposals aimed at improving the hiring process for foreign workers and enhancing cross-border trade between the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Among the suggestions are the establishment of clear protocols for hiring foreign labor, the implementation of biometric systems to ensure the safe entry of workers, and the strict enforcement of the Foreigner’s Border Resident Card as stipulated by Migration Law 285-04.
Additionally, business leaders have called for the reactivation of the Dominican-Haitian Binational Committee to foster better multi-sectoral communication and address the economic and political needs of the border region. They have also emphasized the importance of promoting cross-border trade at both the national and international levels and have advocated for the daily operation and formalization of border markets.
These proposals aim to improve living conditions in the border region, streamline immigration procedures, and strengthen economic ties between the two neighboring countries.
The situation of Haitian workers is more difficult than that of other nationalities because the Haitian government does not document the people in Haiti. This leaves the Dominican government with the basic resource of biometric registration of the migrants. For years, the Dominican government has demanded that the Haitian government document its people with little results. The Haitian government has also rejected donations of equipment.
The mayor of border province Dajabon, Santiago Riveron protested that the Haitians who come to work bring their families with them. Haitian families are not known to practice birth control.
Source: DR1, Hoy
Oct 23, 2024
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Thailand included the Dominican Republic in the 36 new countries added to its visa exemption list. Thailand allows citizens from 93 countries to enter under the new immigration rules.
To enter Thailand under the visa exemption scheme, a passport is usually the only document required. However, the border agent may request additional information that must be provided to secure entry. These documents include: A return travel ticket, proof of sufficient financials (10,000 THB per person, or 20,000 THB per family), proof of temporary accommodation in the country (e.g., hotel booking itinerary)
Countries in the Americas that benefit from the Thailand visa exemption are Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, United States and Uruguay.
Citizens of these countries are now able to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days (an increase from the old 30-day rule) without requiring a visa. Nationals from authorized countries can simply travel to Thailand and will receive a “visa exempt” stamp in their passport from Thai immigration.
The 60-day stay can also be extended for another 30 days (at the discretion of Thai Immigration) enabling foreigners to legally remain in the country for 90 days. The interested person must apply in person at Thai Immigration and there is a fee for the extension.
Before the 90-day deadline, Thai visa-exempt travelers also have the option of applying for a new visa to let them stay in Thailand even longer. During their stay, foreign nationals are also permitted to seek urgent or ad-hoc work in the country and engage with tourist businesses.
The visa exemption measures are in effect as of 15 July 2024. The government explains that the visa rule supports the plan to increase the number of foreign tourists to 40 million by the end of the year.
Thailand has also introduced the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) targeting remote workers and digital nomads with a five-year multiple-entry option. Costing 10,000 THB, applicants need to meet age, financial, employment criteria, and maintain a 500,000 THB balance. The DTV allows legal remote work, spouse and children under 20, and exempts foreign income tax.
Source: DR1, https://www.thaievisa.go.th/
July 28, 2024
The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic announced that new RD$25 coins, minted in 2023, will enter circulation on Thursday, 1 August 2024.
The new coins have the same characteristics as the RD$25 coins currently in circulation, with the only difference being the year of minting.
Both the old and new coins will maintain their legal tender status for the payment of all public and private obligations.
Source: DR1, Noticas SIN
July 28, 2024
The divorce rate in the Dominican Republic continues its upward trend, reaching a staggering 55 divorces per 100 marriages in 2022, according to Census 2022 data from the National Statistics Office (ONE). This represents a significant increase from the 41 divorces per 100 marriages recorded between 2011 and 2016.
The 55 divorces to 100 marriages in the Dominican Republic is high when compared to the statistics for the United States. The US divorces to marriages rate was around 43%, the result of 989,518 divorces to 2,315,440 marriages in 2022, according to a report by Bowling Green State University.
Diario Libre reported that in the Dominican Republic, the trend in divorces to marriages was temporarily interrupted in 2020 due to the nationwide lockdown imposed to curb the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in a reduced divorce rate of 35.16 per 100 marriages. However, as the country reopened in 2021, divorce filings surged, leading to a record-high rate of 63.35 divorces per 100 marriages.
Experts attribute the rising divorce rate to various factors, including early marriages, societal pressures, economic hardship, and domestic violence. The prevalence of child marriage, with 9% of girls married by age 15 and 31% by age 18, is a significant concern, as these young individuals may not have the maturity or emotional readiness for a successful marriage.
Additionally, the Dominican Republic’s machismo culture, which emphasizes male dominance and traditional gender roles, can contribute to marital conflicts and infidelity. Furthermore, poverty, unemployment, and family problems are prevalent issues that can strain relationships and lead to divorce.
Diario Libre reports that the ease of obtaining a divorce in the Dominican Republic may also play a role in the increasing numbers. The country offers two types of divorce: divorce by mutual consent, which does not require proving fault, and divorce for cause, which requires demonstrating specific grounds for dissolution of the marriage.
Source: DR1, Diario Libre
July 28, 2024
According to the latest Annual Yearbook of Vital Statistics from the National Statistics Office (ONE), in 2023, 647 girls between the ages of nine and 14 gave birth in the Dominican Republic. These 647 new mothers represent 0.41% of the total number of births registered in 2023, which were 156,024. The total figure reflects a decrease of 8.26% compared to the previous year (2022) when there were 170,069 registered births, Diario Libre reports.
“It is still important to note that there were still births to women under the age of 15, which represented 0.41% of the total, reflecting an increase of 0.07% compared to 2022 (0.34%)”, the ONE report states.
The Dominican Republic has a relatively high rate of teenage pregnancy, with 20.4% of girls between the ages of 15 and 19 being mothers. Teenage pregnancy can have a significant negative impact on the lives of young mothers, including health risks, educational challenges, and economic hardship.
The ONE 2023 report highlights that there were one 9-year-old girl, three 11-year-old girls, 15 12-year-old girls, 122 girls under 13, and 506 14-year-old girls who gave birth in 2023.
Factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy include poverty, lack of access to education and healthcare, gender inequality and cultural norms that endorse early marriage and childbearing. There is also a renewed effort in Public Health and Education authorities to provide comprehensive sex education and family planning services to young people.
The government has implemented programs to address the issue of teenage pregnancy, including providing comprehensive sex education in schools, expanding access to contraception, and promoting family planning.
The First Lady’s Office is working intensely to reduce the number of children giving birth. Government programs such as Superate are unfolded in coordination with the United Nations’ UNICEF office in the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic has a total fertility rate of 2.2 children per woman. The statistics reveal that Dominican births are dropping significantly, but these remain relatively high due to the large number of Haitian immigrants.
While the overall trend is positive, the Dominican Republic still has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in the Latin America and Caribbean region. Listin Diario highlights that despite the efforts, the child parenting statistics continue to be grim. The adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women aged 15-19) in the Dominican Republic is 63.2. The Dominican Republic has a high rate of child marriage, with 35% of girls married or in union before the age of 18.
Source: DR1, Diario Libre
July 28, 2024
With one day for the legislature to end, the 2020-24 legislature passed a bill that bans sugary drinks and processed foods from being sold at school cafeterias. The bill still requires Senate approval. The landmark bill is aimed at improving children’s nutrition.
The bill, sponsored by Deputy Nelsa Soraya Suárez (PRM-Santiago), mandates that school cafeterias offer only healthy food options. “The foods consumed in schools must fulfill their role of providing the necessary nutrients for the physical and intellectual development of children,” the bill states.
The drat law requires that schools prepare their own meals on-site to ensure quality control and freshness.
Schools will be encouraged to purchase food products from local farmers to support the local economy and promote traditional Dominican food.
Likewise, the bill imposes penalties on suppliers who engage in fraudulent activities or provide substandard products.
The bill establishes penalties for violations. School administrators who misuse funds allocated for school meals will face disciplinary action.
The legislation is part of a growing global movement to combat childhood obesity and promote healthier eating habits. By restricting access to unhealthy foods in schools, lawmakers hope to create a healthier environment for students and set them on a path to lifelong wellness.
The Dominican Republic has been grappling with rising rates of childhood obesity and related health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. Advocates have long argued that schools play a critical role in shaping children’s eating habits.
If the bill gets to pass in the next legislature, the Dominican Republic would be able to join a growing number of countries that have implemented policies to improve the nutritional quality of school meals.
For years, the strong lobby of soft drink manufacturers has kept these beverages low cost, stimulating consumption.
Source: DR1, Diario Libre
July 28, 2024
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