Dominican President touts trade, faces protests in Puerto Rico

http://www.dominicantoday.com 09/03/07

SAN JUAN. - Dominican president Leonel Fernandez arrived today in San Juan, in a 24 hour visit to promote commerce and take advantage of the opportunities of his country’s new free trade agreement with the U.S.

Fernandez was received in this city’s Luís Muñoz Marín airport by the Secretary of State of Puerto Rico, Fernando Bonilla, and the president and executive vice-president of the Association of Industrialists of Puerto Rico, Edgardo Fábregas and William Riefkolhl, respectively.

The Dominican president and the official delegation accompanying him will attend a luncheon with Puerto Rican industrialists and will later meet with Puerto Rico Governor Aníbal Acevedo, in the La Foratalez government offices.

After meeting with Acevedo, Fernandez will dictate a conference titled "Climate of Investments in the Dominican Republic," organized by Puerto Rican business leaders.

Accompanying Fernandez, among other Government officials, are the ministers of Industry and Commerce, Francisco Javier Garcia, and Administrative of the Presidency, Luís Manuel Bonetti.

According to Dominican sources, in the Agreement Free Commerce with the United States, Central America and the Dominican Republic (DR-CAFTA) opens new opportunities businesses with Puerto Rico.

Fernandez, in reference to the DR-CAFTA’s implementation last March 1, said last week that the new treaty guarantees access for Dominican products in preferential conditions to the U.S. market.

The chief executive added that the Dominican Republic has an historical opportunity for trade, and investment, affirming that its industrial development can transform its economic structure and confront the social problems.

But Fernandez’s visit to San Juan will also spark a manifestation today in front of the hotel where he is lodged, convened by several Dominican organizations such as the Dominican-Haitian Pro-Childhood Committee and the Dominican Committee for Human Rights in Puerto Rico.