o, Mayaguez (Puerto
Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto
Rico)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador P. Robert FANNIN
embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo
Navarro, Santo Domingo
mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500
telephone: [1] (809) 221-2171
FAX: [1] (809) 686-7437

Flag description:

a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag
into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red,
and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of
arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch (left) and a
palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield
a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God,
Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
appears on a red ribbon

Economy
Dominican Republic

Economy - overview:

The Dominican Republic has enjoyed strong GDP growth since 2005,
with double digit growth in 2006. In 2007, exports were bolstered by
the nearly 50% increase in nickel prices; however, prices are
expected to fall in 2008, contributing to a slowdown in GDP growth
for the year. Although the country has long been viewed primarily as
an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, in recent years the
service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest
employer due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. The economy
is highly dependent upon the US, the source of nearly three-fourths
of exports, and remittances represent about a tenth of GDP,
equivalent to almost half of exports and three-quarters of tourism
receipts. With the help of strict fiscal targets agreed to in the
2004 renegotiation of an IMF standby loan, President FERNANDEZ has
stabilized the country's financial situation, lowering inflation to
less than 6%. A fiscal expansion is expected for 2008 prior to the
elections in May and for Tropical Storm Noel reconstruction.
Although the economy is growing at a respectable rate, high
unemployment and underemployment remains an important challenge. The
country suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of
the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the
richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of national income. The Central
America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) came into
force in March 2007, which should boost investment and exports and
red