dreadlocks previously said:

Atabey, what is the point you are trying to make, what with the rankings on this chart? PANAMA ranks above Canada. the DR ranks above Chile. so, what is your point, or, do you have one.? you get carried away with these little exercises, and just never cease to amaze me how shallow your intellect is.

Ricardolito previously said:

64 or 81 ..neither is anything to be proud of ..just on the subject of economics ,I doubt if many people care a fig about GDP ,,they are mainly interested in the rates of pay and the price of goods and little else .

Atabey previously said:



Perhaps you don't think it worthwhile, BUT I"ll rather be 64 on the list and NOT 81

What we have witnessed in the last 30 years or so is a closing of the gap between Jamaica and the DR and now a separation trend developing between the two nations. And guess what DR is the one pulling away from Jamaica The large gap that Jamaica had versus DR is looooooooong gone So Dready better get on his people to adjust and take that IMF/World Bank medicine before it's too late.


How many fast runners do they have

Lautaro previously said:



You're disregarding the mighty BIG fact that Jamaica doesn't have an HAITI sharing its island, and this factor that we (unfortunately) have could very well pull us down to another "siglo de la miseria", specially if the political ambience keeps deteriorating over there. We aren't alone on Hispaniola, unfortunately, and most importantly, the Empire were you live will never allow us to quarantine ourselves (as in, totally closing the border), to prevent the troubles there to spill on to this side.

And now that we're on the issue of our blighted neighbor to the west, let me ask you a question: Have you ever been over there? Cuz' a visit there could very well be the thing that you need to sober up and leave that unfounded pride behind once and for all. We will never be able to advance further those 60 range places as long as we have a neighbor with problems of a magnitude enough to eat up all the economic cake that have been carefully built here.

Atabey previously said:



Hermano Lautaro,

I HAVE NEVER STATED OTHERWISE concerning the issue of HAITI on DR's prospects. Go check out my MANY statements concerning the ENORMOUS impact that entity has on future and current Dominican modernization and development prospects. I've stated how the other islands of the Caribbean, Cuba, Jamaica, PR, etc., do not have this "historical weight" to weigh down current and future prospects

As for my DR over Jamaica stance. I believe I stand on SOLID ground and have SUPPORTED my thesis with good solid evidence, largely taken from Jamaican sources.

Are there risk But of course You have pointed out one major problem that others have also(myself included ) stated.

Now how about taking the less negative position and put forth a positive look at developments in the neighboring Western part of Hispaniola You know there just might be some stabilization and growth in that part of the island Haiti is one of the few places where Europe, the USA, and other important international players are still committed to using direct low cost government capital to promote basic infrastructure and developmental help. Many and by this I mean the likes of DR and Jamaica are being forced to develop market rate conditions in order to obtain capital investments for current and future project requirements. By doing so these Big Players are trying to steer away these former undeveloped small nations away from the "welfare" lines and into the boarder capital market conditions where the more organized and modern nations exist. DR with all its issues and problems, both self-induced and those that come from the Western part has managed to gradually take hold of its ship. Yes, we need to be on our toes least we go backwards, with the likes of The Hippo, but in the main, DR has righted the ship and if it plays ball with the Big Players, it will continue to get some additional perks

If Haiti can get its act together, a tall task I agree, the forward push made by the DR will only gain in intensity and far better prospects will be advanced for both peoples future. Ever think what a 20 plus million market in the Heart of the Caribbean could express in terms of consumer and investment opportunities?

Even a place as potentially rich like Cuba have serious issues stemming from their incredible position of having arrived at relatively "old age", in terms of population, while remaining poor or getting poorer in the process And as anyone that has visited or held talks with people from the ex-socialist block will attest, the first 20 years of market opening in these places buts an enormous strain on those aged 30 and above. With the market changes benefiting most those far younger or not yet born Thus this process often creates a push out as people try to immigrate to First world nations in the hope of gaining better future prospects.

No doubt DR has many challenges today and in the future, BUT at least we see some SEMBLANCE and REAL progress gaining strength. At some point these points being connected will have a powerful and profound impact on developments across the board throughout DR. But some patience hermano, Rome wasn't created in a day, and we Dominicans sometimes forget how miserable and backwards our country was in many aspects of modernization and development throughout the 20th century. Heck we were once the laughing stock of the Caribbean Once, even Jamaicans had it good versus DR

Peace out.

Ricardolito previously said:



I do not know what the ECI is trying to measure or compare




but looking at the list I would agree with Dreaadlocks that it is uselesss in any practical sense...one only has to look at the position of Japan and then look at all the economic problems it has and then look at Australia, way down the list and currently an economic power house,,