SANTO DOMINGO. - Four business associations warned Wednesday that if the exports aren’t stimulated there’ll be massive layoffs next year, because exports have plunged more than 60 percent.
In a visit today to Congress the industrialists requested declaring exports a national priority and to follow a common agenda for that purpose.
The associations of Free Zones, Industries, Exporters and Agribusiness (JAD) said their common interest is that the country can confront the challenges in the world’s new economic order, and to spur development they propose that exports must be declated a national priority. "We feel that the crisis affecting the world powers forces us, as a country dependent on those economies, to urgently adopt the measures needed to secure a currency income volume, in responce to this critical moment, to better protect the national productive system.”
The document was delivered to the Chamber of Deputies by the presidents of Adozona, Fernando Capellan; JAD, Jose Ramon Peralta; Exporters Ricardo Koenig, and Circe Almánzar, Jose Torres and Raul Rodriguez, of Industries.
Written by: Cacique, 26 Nov 2008 3:09 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Well I do declare!, U shure it ain't about getting some tax breaks or other perks...?
From: United States
the question of export downturn cannot soleley be laid at the feet of the government. incentives are needed, for sure. but what about the responsibility of the producers to ensure that the product is acceptable and competitive in the external markets?
From: United States, Reality Check
I will disagree with Dreadlocks (but still as a gentleman). We saw the hand writing on the wall long ago.
Is this news a surprise?
These areas were downsizing & closing operations back in '05. There has been a common theme of being globally uncompetitive. The GAPis so gross that even when oil @$147, transpo costs and time was too costly before it was STILL CHEAPER TO MOVE PRODUCTION TO ASIA & SHIP ACROSS THE GLOBE TO USA, CANADA & EUROPE!
The RD Gov could have been proactive but instead allowed politics & greed to confuse priorities. Manufacturers need incentives, Yes; but also security of assets (without corruption), "reliable power"; infrastructure good roads, distribution, access to ports, educated & drug free work force.
The millions support goods to import raw materials & move exports out to ports efficiently went where?.... to the METRO (minimum jobs created). The RD Gov due to kickbacks have majored on the "minors" while minoring on the majors (job creation)
Written by: juanb, 26 Nov 2008 4:05 PM
From: Dominican Republic
You have heard this from me before, but it is more true every day:
THE SKY IS FALLING
From: United States
actually, JD, we do not need to disagree. you have placed the emphasis on ill conceived government policies. but, JD, you must agree that product acceptability is crucial. you are aware of product rejection at wharves in the USA. a simple issue; we can improve the balance of trade by exporting internally. what do i mean? producing goods for the tourist industry, that is what. i have no scientific understanding of the bovine sciences. but, why is it that we cannot produce a t-bone steak which is internationally acceptable? why is it that every visitor i know of complains about Dominican beef being " tough, with a quaint odor"? somebody can probably bring me up to speed, but i would like to know if this is an insuperable obstacle. why do we have to spend millions of dollars of foreign exchange to import beef for the tourist industry? similarly, all other countries in the central american area are focusing on modern modalities like aquaculture; we are not.
From: United States
why do we have to wait until some foreign investor comes with his money, and makes his rules? why cannot the government investigate these issues, and facilitate the remedies locally, with local monies? some of these ventures are not mega billion dollar projects, monies the government cannot find. it is a simple matter of good thinking.
Written by: jacirez 
, 26 Nov 2008 5:42 PM
From: Iran, Zähedän
dreadlocks,
That is not OUR mentality. We want to take the money we "procure" in any business venture in the DR out to the Cayman Islands, Luxembourg, or Switzerland as soon as possible. The idea of reinvesting in the DR is not what we do..Doing so would be intelligent and forward-thinking. Qualities you will be hard pressed to associate with us Dominicans
From: Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata
Some will hate me for saying this, but whatever positive input in terms of good thinking this country has ever received was from foreigners.
The Dominican culture is to watch the next guy, and if all goes well, copy his business.
Nothing has ever been invented here. Initiative in a country whose economy was primarily based upon stealing and slavery was never encouraged, and new ideas even nowadays are not well looked at.
And the free-zone concept is from early 20th century. Not applicable to today's new models within the context of international competitiveness. So, give as many breaks, subsidies and the like to those industries is like pumping air into the lungs of a terminal patient.
Time for a change...
Written by: jacirez , 26 Nov 2008 5:58 PM
From: Iran, Zähedän
WalterPolo,
You sure are right: I will Hate you!
This is the problem with us Dominicans. We blame all our problems and shortcomings on the outside. We never look within and accept responsibility for our own destiny.
Only WE are to blame for the mess we are in now and have been for the past one hundred and sixty-four years (since independence in 1844). Only when we take ownership of our future and destiny will we truly move forward..
Written by: jacirez , 26 Nov 2008 6:03 PM
From: Iran, Zähedän
Happening now in Mumbai, India:
Gunmen have targeted nine locations in south Mumbai, including two luxury hotels and a train station. A state spokesman put the death toll in the attacks at 78. Gunmen have taken over the Taj Mahal Hotel and Hotel Oberoi and are holding guests hostage on multiple floors, a Mumbai police spokesman says. developing story
From: Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata
Jacirez
Between this and the airport mess in Bangkok, maybe tourism here will improve, after all.
From: United States
now there are bomb threats against new york subways. not good.
Written by: jacirez , 26 Nov 2008 6:58 PM
From: Iran, Zähedän
as Jack Cafferty would say: It's getting ugly out there...
Written by: TFISKE , 26 Nov 2008 10:15 PM
From: Canada, Alberta
I really enjoyed your excellent comments!
Yes and even you Dreads.
From: Dominican Republic, Boycott Dominican Tourism
These areas were downsizing & closing operations back in '05. There has been a common theme of being globally uncompetitive. The GAPis so gross that even when oil @$147, transpo costs and time was too costly before it was STILL CHEAPER TO MOVE PRODUCTION TO ASIA & SHIP ACROSS THE GLOBE TO USA, CANADA & EUROPE!
Good Point , with whats going on I India I will take the bridge tomorrow to NYC "No tunnels for me"
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
Dreadlocks...two nights ago a friend and I had an excellent chateauxbriand at a very nice little restaurant in zona colonial called el gran charolais and we were informed by the french owner that the tenderloin was local but needed muc preperation as dominican meat had too much muscle and sinew and not enough fat because of the grazing conditions for dominican cattle ..he said that sometimes he could buy some excellent meat but normally it required much preperation ..just like the fruit that is sold here, the quality is not the best.
If i was President, I would be looking very closely at some of the asian countries to see how they have succeded and attempt to follow them ..the problem is that the asian counties are more disciplined than her in the DR where every aspect in life is rather erratic and unpredictable.
From: United States
Ricardolito. if the quality of the meat is the result of grazing conditions, why not attempt to modify them, so we get a good product? or is it easier and cheaper just to import?
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
no no it is better to adopt good rural practices and good abatoir practices as in australia, new zealnad and other exporting meat countries ...and also maybe to introduce a few different blood lines..
From: United States
Ricardolito, sadly we do not have the instinctive disposition here which asians have. the centerpiece of asian culture, at least their business culture, is planning for the long term, and patience. in the DR, we want instant gratification, and success. give the average Dominican 100,000 dollars, and tell him to start a business. here is his immediate list of choices
loanshark
money/ currency changer
nightclub
brothel
car wash
cabana
the common thread? no need to wait for things to fall into place; buy today, make money tomorrow. anything which requires patience and planning are not worthwhile ideas. that is for sissies in the far east. real men sell drugs!
Written by: anthonyC, 27 Nov 2008 10:36 AM
From: United States
To the associations of Free Zones, Industries, Exporters and Agribusiness,
Adapt or Die!
Written by: Jander, 27 Nov 2008 11:19 AM
From: Dominican Republic
The beef here as we all know can't be compared to US beef or Argentina.. but they don't use chemicals and their is very little fat.
The beef is ok for (Carne Guisado) but not for broiling grilling or BBQ. (unless you let it age for a few days in the fridge) and marinate !!!
So stick with the imported and the I have found the best Ribeyes and sirloin at Super Pola.
The prices aren't to bad about 200 - for 12 oz.. Compared to Omaha Steaks at 500 to 600.
Written by: anthonyC, 27 Nov 2008 1:20 PM
From: United States
Jander,
Steroid use is commonplace in DR cattle as it is in most commercial cattle ranches around the world.
Nothing wrong with it. It increase growth and quality and has never been shown to cause any health hazards.
From: United States
Jander, it is precisely because the beef has very little fat that it is useless for grilling or barbecue. it is the fat that gives grilled beef the great taste. but, there has got to be something we can do to uplift the quality! there is just not that great a tourist market for carne guisado. hungarian goulash, yes, but most people prefer a nice fillet on the grill.
From: Dominican Republic
labor is cheap enough here to produce Kobi beef and beat the Japanese prices. Keep the beef steers in stalls, feed them and have someone give them a massage twice a day. They will retain some fat as they won't burn it off. The massages will marbilize and tenterize the meat. My mouth is watering already!! It could start a whole new industry if done correctly although it may be a cttege industry at first, with exports later after it becomes known. I have given up trying to grill a good steak here.
From: Dominican Republic
"cottage industry" I should proof read my ramblings before I post!!
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
YES , Dominicano , that is correct but still most of the best export beef still is free range or from feed lots and is high quality and when exported to countries such as the USA and Japan . T
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
The production of high quality beef requires skills which involve proper breeding , feeding and fencing and selling when there the beast has the correct amount of fat ..the level of expertise is high if one is to be successful. I always seem to go back to the same idea that it is the management expertises that are in low supply here in the DR and this is comes from poor government and poor education.
From: Dominican Republic
Ricardolito, Past experience has always shown me that wherever you find a problem you will find an opportunity as well. I believe that if a locally produced beef that was properly aged and tender off the grill that the food chain stores would beat a path to your door. The producer would then beat a path to the bank. All it would take is one person in the business to strive for excellence, to not be satisfied with the status quo and he could get the lions share of the market. I know I for one would support it, and only buy that beef. One pioneer is all that's needed!!!!
From: United States
these are the ideas i speak of and guys attack my observations. i have said that we need to have backward linkages from the hospitality industry to the local producer. raising top flight cattle is not easy. there does not appear to be too many people here who understand it. so, guess what? we have to get someone to come here who has knowledge of the art. i always said that if i was to ever open a pizza parlor, i would bring a pro form somewhere like chicago or brooklyn, and have him or her stay a week here, to teach my staff how the pros do it. similarly , we need some guys from places such as the USA, where good beef is an art, to teach us how it is done.
From: Dominican Republic
Dread, it would have to be the private business sector that pursues this because the government shows no interest in education, even education for profit. Why don't they? If the better restaurants and hotels/resorts are importing quality beef there is a market HERE!! If there is a market here for something it should be produced here..........if possible and I believe ALL things are possible. FYI; I too considered a pizza/spaghetti parlor here, as I am sure you know that it is the only type restaurant with minimal spoilage and foodstuffs be refridgerated. The secret of a good pizza is the dough!! The secret of good dough is the water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A New York Italian opened a fully equiped pizza parlor here in my town and went bust in less than a year. wqe discussed Dominicans trying new things on another thread, if this guy figured out a way to get chicken, rice and beans on top of his pizza he'd probably be living in Casa de Campo now!! LOL
From: United States
precisely, domericano. that is why i said i would bring a baker here first, before setting up the equipment and renting a locale, only to find that there are water problems. but those can be overcome. the same problems apply to bagels, which is something else that should be made here for the tourist industry. why is it that if i need a bagel, i have to buy an imported bagel? other simple stuff; why can't i get Jimmy Dean style breakfast sausage patties? rather, why can i not get a decent breakfast sausage? this is not rocket science. tourists have to go to mcdonalds or burger king, or some other chain burger place, because the local burgers suck. i GUARANTEE that my formula for seasoning hamburgers is infinitely superior to any fast food chain.as i said before, it is not rocket science, and we can get market share from products that are the sole province of the foreigners.
From: Dominican Republic
You are totally right, my fellow meat lover! If you ever find a place that sells Jimmy Dean Sausages in Sto Dom. please let me know. Pricesmart sells a big bag of breakfast links that are pretty good but they ain't Jimmy Dean. I find the mc donalds here to be close to the ones in the US but Burger King here sucks!! A good burger joint here would do great I think, maybe your spices and some quality ground meat will be the start of an empire. Right now I am thinking of the Ruby Tuesday hamburger with the 3 different kinds of ground meat and my computer is about to short out because I am salivating all over the keyboard!!! LOL
Written by: anthonyC, 27 Nov 2008 4:54 PM
From: United States
You gusy are missing one big point.
Dominicans by and large and most New World Latin Cultures prefer there beef lean.
Years ago the USDA mandated the leaning of Beef in the US. Another Nanny State regulation. For real quality beef with marbling one has to go to Beef Wholesalers who supply Restaurant grade Prime.
Omaha Steaks are not Restaurant Prime.
Written by: jacirez , 27 Nov 2008 5:03 PM
From: Iran, Zähedän
Unless I am wrong, the beef industry in the DR (Induveca, Industria Sosua, etc) use free reign cattle. Industrial farms such as those in North America would be quite detrimental to the environment in the DR...Better not mess with it...
From: United States
actually domericano, my burger patty uses 3 types of ground beef. like Ruby Tuesday. however, i use one spice they do not, which makes the difference. Jimmy Dean style sausage patties are child's play for me to make. as a matter of fact, if i made a suasage patty that came out like Jimmy Dean, i would not admit it.
From: Dominican Republic
anthony c, marbling gives the extra flavor, aging gives the tenderness. You cannot expect beef that was grazing yesterday and on the market shelves today to be tender, marbled or not. Dread, you have an open invitation to come and cook at my house anytime you care to!! I have given alot of thought to making my own sausage but have never given it a try. You have inspired me to get a grinder and dive into it. Do you know of a source here for casings? I make a great chili and my spaghetti sauces and lasagna are phenomenal even if I say so myself!! Nope, I am not Italian.
From: United States
no need to bother with casings, domericano. sausage patties are far better, anyway. no crappy skins to contaminate the taste. if you have had an owen's texas sausage patty, you will never go back to links, i assure you. i make them all the time, and they are ridiculous. i will send you my recipe for Big Timber Cowpoke Chili, which will fry your brain! if we ever do meet in person, i will bring you a jar of Murder Burger Seasoning Mix. 2 teaspoons to a pound of ground beef. makes McDonalds and Burger King taste like old socks.
From: Dominican Republic
hey dread, I am more than happy to recieve any and all recipes you care to share with me. My invitation was sincere and when you are here next time let's meet up, first drink is on me, maybe more if you bring that Murder Burger mix, I have to say the name just slays me. Looking forward to the chili recipe and frying my brain and the endorphins that will be released. My Texas experience is limited to staying in El Paso for 2 weeks in 1972, flying into Houston and taking the shuttle to Galveston many times for cruise ship work and a month in San Saba doing some finish carpentry for a german millionaire shoe manufacturer, met alot of "pumpkin heads" but never tasted Owen's patties.
From: United States
i will send you a message to try and arrange a meeting. that way, i can bring you samples of my Amarillo Texas steak rubs (which make Outback taste like shoe soles), tandoori rubs, if you ever eat the bird, and my Lazy River Fish rub, for grilling seafood, such as fillets and lobster. these are brutal concoctions here; no sazon completo. i will also bring you some recipes, so you can try some interesting stuff yourself.
From: Dominican Republic
Man, looking forward to it................name a time and place. Have you given any thought to packaging your stuff commercially? Okay, lots of competition and UDPH laws in the states, but here in the DR we are sorely lacking options for off the shelf flavorings, rubs, etc. I mixup some stuff myself just for diverdity and have a nice Creole spice mix.
From: United States
tell you what i will do, domericano. i will get all my major rubs to you, including my cinnamon rub for pork fillets and chuletas. you give me your opinion if you think they measure up to commercial standards. then i will make a decision on bottling a few of them. do not take this to be disrespctful of the DR, but the seasonings used on fried fish and fried chicken need a lot of work. besides., i am in the DR; it is easier to do it here. i love a good fried fish , but they all seem to be seasoned with salt only. without semilla de apio, and a few other secret ingredients, you might as well not bother seasoning!
Written by: anthonyC, 27 Nov 2008 10:32 PM
From: United States
"Written by: domericano, 27 Nov 2008 7:38 PM
From: Dominican Republic
anthony c, marbling gives the extra flavor, aging gives the tenderness."
Well duh!
Texans are funnny.
They raise some great beef but don't have a clue on how to cook it.
From: United States
Regarding" anthonyC, 27 Nov 2008 4:54 PM
You gusy are missing one big point.
Dominicans by and large and most New World Latin Cultures prefer there beef lean
Ricardolito, 27 Nov 2008 2:10 PM
From: Dominican Republic
YES , Dominicano , that is correct but still most of the best export beef still is free range or from feed lots and is high quality and when exported to countries such as the USA and Japan . T
==================
I cant believe I am agreeing with Anthony C but besides the point. He is correct. Most Dominicans prefer leaner steak and we know the leaner the steak the tougher. In addition cattle in U.S. is not necessarily Free range as free range makes a tougher meat. The more exercise the cattle get the more tougher the meat. Cattle in the U.S is also fed a mixture of grain and grass. Grass produces leaner meat less fat which is a health benefit but at the cost of taste. Therefore it is a combination of genetics, procedures and diet.
From: United States, Somewhere in the World
getting jealous in here i want some recipies to, i can cook...........some.
From: United States
anthonyc, can you tell me what you mean when you say Texans do not have a clue how to cook beef? cooking a good steak is not rocket science. either you are going to stew it forever, or you grill it. grilling is the easiest thing to get wrong, but , once you understand it, it is not that hard. the most important thing is a good grill. searing is the critical thing; forget buying those grills you see in plaza lama and the big box stores in santiago and the capital. you need a grill that can put out 60,000 btu. remember, the faster food cooks, the better. that is why chinese use cast iron woks. infrared grills are the absolute best for cooking steaks, because they light up 70.000 btu. once you have the right equipment, anyone can cook a good steak. it is just a matter of adjusting the grilling times for the degree of doneness preferred. i have had some incredible steaks done by texans, so maybe anthonyc should keep better culinary company.
From: Dominican Republic
Dread, Sounds great and I will be happy to try out and give my humble opinion on all of your rubs and mixes.
Written by: abc200, 28 Nov 2008 9:09 AM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
Other countries have barter offices. A country that does not have ready cash to pay for goods can offer goods in return. For example a country could offer scrap aluminium for manufactured saucepans. etc. This might work well in this region.
http://spacecoastbarter.com/default.asp
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Is this news a surprise?
These areas were downsizing & closing operations back in '05. There has been a common theme of being globally uncompetitive. The GAPis so gross that even when oil @$147, transpo costs and time was too costly before it was STILL CHEAPER TO MOVE PRODUCTION TO ASIA & SHIP ACROSS THE GLOBE TO USA, CANADA & EUROPE!
The RD Gov could have been proactive but instead allowed politics & greed to confuse priorities. Manufacturers need incentives, Yes; but also security of assets (without corruption), "reliable power"; infrastructure good roads, distribution, access to ports, educated & drug free work force.
The millions support goods to import raw materials & move exports out to ports efficiently went where?.... to the METRO (minimum jobs created). The RD Gov due to kickbacks have majored on the "minors" while minoring on the majors (job creation)
THE SKY IS FALLING
That is not OUR mentality. We want to take the money we "procure" in any business venture in the DR out to the Cayman Islands, Luxembourg, or Switzerland as soon as possible. The idea of reinvesting in the DR is not what we do..Doing so would be intelligent and forward-thinking. Qualities you will be hard pressed to associate with us Dominicans
The Dominican culture is to watch the next guy, and if all goes well, copy his business.
Nothing has ever been invented here. Initiative in a country whose economy was primarily based upon stealing and slavery was never encouraged, and new ideas even nowadays are not well looked at.
And the free-zone concept is from early 20th century. Not applicable to today's new models within the context of international competitiveness. So, give as many breaks, subsidies and the like to those industries is like pumping air into the lungs of a terminal patient.
Time for a change...
You sure are right: I will Hate you!
This is the problem with us Dominicans. We blame all our problems and shortcomings on the outside. We never look within and accept responsibility for our own destiny.
Only WE are to blame for the mess we are in now and have been for the past one hundred and sixty-four years (since independence in 1844). Only when we take ownership of our future and destiny will we truly move forward..
Gunmen have targeted nine locations in south Mumbai, including two luxury hotels and a train station. A state spokesman put the death toll in the attacks at 78. Gunmen have taken over the Taj Mahal Hotel and Hotel Oberoi and are holding guests hostage on multiple floors, a Mumbai police spokesman says. developing story
Between this and the airport mess in Bangkok, maybe tourism here will improve, after all.
Yes and even you Dreads.
Good Point , with whats going on I India I will take the bridge tomorrow to NYC "No tunnels for me"
If i was President, I would be looking very closely at some of the asian countries to see how they have succeded and attempt to follow them ..the problem is that the asian counties are more disciplined than her in the DR where every aspect in life is rather erratic and unpredictable.
loanshark
money/ currency changer
nightclub
brothel
car wash
cabana
the common thread? no need to wait for things to fall into place; buy today, make money tomorrow. anything which requires patience and planning are not worthwhile ideas. that is for sissies in the far east. real men sell drugs!
Adapt or Die!
The beef is ok for (Carne Guisado) but not for broiling grilling or BBQ. (unless you let it age for a few days in the fridge) and marinate !!!
So stick with the imported and the I have found the best Ribeyes and sirloin at Super Pola.
The prices aren't to bad about 200 - for 12 oz.. Compared to Omaha Steaks at 500 to 600.
Steroid use is commonplace in DR cattle as it is in most commercial cattle ranches around the world.
Nothing wrong with it. It increase growth and quality and has never been shown to cause any health hazards.
Dominicans by and large and most New World Latin Cultures prefer there beef lean.
Years ago the USDA mandated the leaning of Beef in the US. Another Nanny State regulation. For real quality beef with marbling one has to go to Beef Wholesalers who supply Restaurant grade Prime.
Omaha Steaks are not Restaurant Prime.
From: Dominican Republic
anthony c, marbling gives the extra flavor, aging gives the tenderness."
Well duh!
Texans are funnny.
They raise some great beef but don't have a clue on how to cook it.
You gusy are missing one big point.
Dominicans by and large and most New World Latin Cultures prefer there beef lean
Ricardolito, 27 Nov 2008 2:10 PM
From: Dominican Republic
YES , Dominicano , that is correct but still most of the best export beef still is free range or from feed lots and is high quality and when exported to countries such as the USA and Japan . T
==================
I cant believe I am agreeing with Anthony C but besides the point. He is correct. Most Dominicans prefer leaner steak and we know the leaner the steak the tougher. In addition cattle in U.S. is not necessarily Free range as free range makes a tougher meat. The more exercise the cattle get the more tougher the meat. Cattle in the U.S is also fed a mixture of grain and grass. Grass produces leaner meat less fat which is a health benefit but at the cost of taste. Therefore it is a combination of genetics, procedures and diet.
http://spacecoastbarter.com/default.asp