SANTO DOMINGO.- Dominican Republic ranks 117 among 139 countries in competitiveness, according to the Global Competitiveness Index (GPI) 2010-11, examined by World Economic Forum, which calls the high degree of corruption and institutional bureaucracy a serious obstacle for the country.

According to the Index, presented by Environment minister Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal, who participated as invited speaker in the American Chamber of Commerce’s (Amcham) monthly luncheon, when corruption funnels taxpayers’ money to companies, groups and individuals is evaluated, the country ranked 2nd in a scale from 1 to 7, where lower scores mean more corruption.

As to irregular payments and bribes, the country scores 3 in the scale, and scored 1 in favoritism in decisions by governmental officials and in the burden to government regulations. Another aspect the Index stresses is the ethical behavior of companies, in which Dominican Republic scored 2.

Fernandez Mirabal said the analysis also cites issues of favoritism in government decisions, government deficiency, citizen insecurity, the electrical topic and the lack of innovation in the capitals market.

However it describes as positive the protection of the investor, a manageable government debt, the transference of technology and the direct foreign investment index.

Faced with that situation, the Environment Minister supports an immediate reduction in red tape and discretion via an official unified window needed to save time, and curtail influence peddling and corruption.

He said the unified window is transparent instrument for all of the government’s efforts and expedites the economic movement, to make the country more competitive.

The official detailed his experience and accomplishments in the implementation of the Environment Ministry’s unified window, despite the resistance a change of culture that would lead to improved services, reducing discretion in government actions and the economic interests linked to the collection for services.

Another accomplishment of the ex Vice president noted from Environment’s unified window was the 692% jump in the issuing of environmental permits and cutting from two months to 15 days the approval of licenses that don’t require major studies.

Speaking in the Amcham event held in the hotel Jaragua, Fernandez Mirabal added that licenses which previously took four months and more are now issued in 51 days, while those that require a greater study are issued in eight months on average, a term similar to that of 2008.