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President Leonel Fernandez, Eddy Martinez. File photo.
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Santo Domingo. - The executive director of Dominican Republic’s Export and Investment Center (CEI-RD) Friday admitted that red tap still make it difficult for foreign investors who wish to start projects here, as the National Business Council (CONEP) recently alleged.

Eddy Martinez said these difficulties are the reasons why president Leonel Fernandez created the Investment Cabinet for Strategic Projects and the Presidential Exports Promotion Table. “These measures will serve as counterbalance to loosen those obstacles that we found.”

“Through the Investment Cabinet the important investment projects for the country that would generate wealth and solve part of those obstacles, for example, the permits and the requests that take in being approved and the discrepancies with the companies will be known” the official said in the seminar: “30 years of Pro Chile in the days of crisis,” held in the CEI-RD offices, hosted by that country’s embassy.

CONEP’s complaint

CONEP denounced Thursday that several private projects by local investors are stalled because of bureaucratic stumbling blocks in government agencies.

CONEP president Lisandro Macarrulla, said the entity has received several complaints from its associates regarding the “bottles necks” they must undergo in certain state agencies, although no departments were specified.

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COMMENTS
9 comment(s)
Written by: drbcabarete, 3 Apr 2009 4:42 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Cabarete
Try doing business on the North Coast. The "bottlenecks" which are referred to have only to be "greased" with pesos to become smooth. Wonderful, Mr. Martinez notes "bureaucratic stumbling blocks", these are all caused by the corrupt "bureaucrats" allowed to be in positions wherein they buy their places and expect to be repaid by every business man/woman who attempts to set up a business. CEI-RD runs an incredibly positive and efficient operation. I have continually been amazed at their professionalism and ability to operate within this government. They are to be more than commended. Let them run the Country and I am sure things will be done differently. But when you get to the street level to get to do business, it is corrupt, corrupt, corrupt. Extortion in America or Europe is to be considered nada when compared to what goes on here. As to the rest of the DR, do not have the experience but on the North Coast, it is overwhelming.
Written by: xwill7, 3 Apr 2009 5:36 PM
From: United States, Chicago
The government workers will work slow untill you tip them with that 2,000 RD Peso
Written by: dreadlocks, 3 Apr 2009 6:38 PM
From: United States
as i have said before, the Fernandez government is trying to drag the country, kicking and scratching, into the 21st century. but it is the entrenched sense of parasitism among certain drones that is holding things back. they refuse to either work or innovate, preferring to profit from the efforts and investments of hard working people. they should all be put out to pasture, and given a box of dominoes as a farewell gift.
Written by: antonio1, 3 Apr 2009 6:52 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Av Santa Rosa, La Romana
I'm quite sure that the government have to do some background check before letting a company do business in DR; that it take time? you BET you, here and everywhere.
Written by: dreadlocks, 3 Apr 2009 7:01 PM
From: United States
well, Antonio, can you explain why it takes so much longer here than in most other countries? and it seems that the protracted checks are not working too well, judging by the amount of flotsam and jetsam to be found in the big bucks business environment.
Written by: antonio1, 3 Apr 2009 7:31 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Av Santa Rosa, La Romana
Dread have you seen the report "doing business overseasea"? is of much use before posting on this issue. As a note; DR is doing quite well.
Written by: Edward, 3 Apr 2009 10:59 PM
From: United States, Faux News: Unfair Imbalance
Despite all the red tape DR still continues to attract billions of dollars in investment, but I hope the government keeps making it easier to invest by foreigners. My biggest concern is that they might put laissez-faire before the well-being of the people.
Written by: belly51, 4 Apr 2009 1:24 AM
From: Dominican Republic, San Francisco y Houston,TX
Dreadlock

i agree with you Leonel is moving the country into the 21st and now he just need a little bit of Trujillo in him or guts should i call to line up all these old folks. We have to take all these Botellas of the loop then we can leave opurtunities in the air for who ever is best fit to fill them. What in the heck is Robertico doing on TV after so many yrs the guy can't even hold the mic right LOL.
Written by: gmiller261, 4 Apr 2009 5:44 AM
From: United States

Billions of investments are nothing. 100s of billion are something.

Dominicans only think daily. "what can I get". Never long term.

Stop the corruption, stop the entitled mentality.
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