Weekly Report - 31 October 2006

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Booming. The economy grew by 11.3% in the first nine months of the year compared with the same period in 2005, according to the central bank. The best performing sectors were construction (up 29.8%), communications (26%), agriculture and fisheries (14.9%) and trade (10.7%). Growth in the third quarter was 10.3%. The government sent a controversial fiscal reform package to the legislative assembly, where the ruling Partido de la Liberación Nacional (PLD) enjoys a majority, which it says is crucial to prepare the country for joining Cafta-DR and preserving the high growth rate.