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New York – Dominican Republic Strategic Alliance Project Presented by: Dr. Leonel Fern ández President of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development March 10, 2003. Objectives.
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New York – Dominican Republic Strategic Alliance ProjectPresented by:Dr. Leonel FernándezPresident of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development March 10, 2003
Objectives • Construct a two-way bridge between the Dominican Community in New York and the Dominican Republic, with a permanent and sustainable flow of exchange in the areas of education, culture, scientific, trade and investment, and professional services. • Reproduce the success of the Florida-DR Task Force
Goals • A more dynamic and cohesive Dominican Community. • A greater flow of exchange in education, technology and trade and investment. • Maximize competitive advantages between DR-NY . . . Identify these.
Topics • Immigration and Labor Force • Health • Education and Cultural Development • Sociopolitical Development • Economic Development • Trade and Investment • Remittances
Immigration and Labor Force • How many are we? How many are citizens? Residents? Undocumented? • Assess the effects of repatriation on the Dominican Society • Analysis of the Dominican labor participation in the U.S.
How many are we? Source: Information facilitated by Marilyn Ramirez, CUNY-Dominican Studies Institute, City College, March 2002.
Where are we found? . . . Source: Beveridge, Andrew A., Immigrant Advances in Metropolitan New York, Queens College and Graduate Center- CUNY, November 21, 2002.
Health • Exchange through: • Volunteer Programs • HIV Prevention Programs • Study-abroad Programs • Telemedicine Services • Increase Technology Transfer • Promote donations to the DR
Education and Cultural Development • Strengthen academic links between universities in the DR and NY • Promote research on Dominican issues • Establish Scholarship office • Create Exchange Programs for students and professors, i.e. internships and fellowships • Strengthen and expand the Dominican Studies Institute (DSI) at City College • Develop Summer Program/Summer Camp in the DR and NY – with emphasis on Dominican history, language and culture • Promote cultural activities
Economic Development:Trade and Investment • Assess current Trade and Investment flows • Create Incentives • Carry-out benchmarking to know niche markets • Increase exports from the DR to NY- with the help of supermarkets and Hunts Point Market • Promote Dominican products and franchises • Identify obstacles and how to overcome them
Exports from NY to RD . . . Source: Office of Trade and Economic Analysis (OTEA), Trade Development, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
What does NY export to the DR? . . . • Furniture • Professional and scientific equipment • Automobiles • Shoes • Clothing and Textiles • Electrical equipment
NY imports from the DR . . . Source: Unites States International Trade Commission Website: http://www.dataweb.usitc.gov
What does NY import from the DR? • Professional and Scientific Equipment • Clothing and Textiles (sweaters, pants, bras) • Jewelry and others • Tobacco and derivatives (Cigars) • Electronic Equipment • Shoes • Sugar and byproducts
Exports vs. Imports . . . Source: Office of Trade and Economic Analysis (OTEA), Trade Development, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce and the Unites States International Trade Commission Website: http://www.dataweb.usitc.gov
Economic Development:Remittances • Assess volume, tendencies and future • How to use them in favor of development • Reduce costs and facilitate transaction • Evaluate its socioeconomic impact on the DR and NY • Identify obstacles and how to overcome these
The numbers in remittances . . . Average money transfer: US$199.00 Average cost of transfer: US$17.40 Percent of average cost of transfer: 8.74% Percent of GDP: 10% Percent of Exports: 27% Growth Rate (2001-2002): 16.9% Total money transfers (2002): US$2,111 Millones Source: Orozco, Manuel. 2002. Statistical Profile of Remittances. Inter-American Dialogue. Multilateral Investment Fund, IADB. “Sending Money Home: An International Comparison of Remittance Markets,” February 2003.
Average money transfers in Latin America : Source: Orozco, Manuel. 2002. Statistical Profile of Remittances. Inter-American Dialogue.
Costs of transferring money to Latin America: Source: Orozco, Manuel. 2002. Statistical Profile of Remittances. Inter-American Dialogue.
Sociopolitical Development • Assess the political empowerment of the Dominicans in the U.S. . . . How to strengthen the Dominican Community through the electoral system • Offer leadership workshops for young potential leaders in NY and the DR • Create offices in the DR and NY responsible for facilitating and channeling donations through financial support and reduction of red tape/bureaucracy. • Create the “Dominicorp”- (similar to Americorp/Peacecorp) • Reactivate “Sister City” Program from the Mayor’s Office
Research Areas • Immigration and Labor Force • Education • Trade and Investment • Remittances • Socioeconomic and political effects of the Dominican dispersion within the U.S. • The Dominican Constituency (voters)
Calendar • Feasible within one year period PHASE 1 PHASE 2 PHASE 3 Jan Feb Mar April May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dic
Next steps . . . ACTION PLAN PHASE I: • Create Work Groups: • Identify work areas, i.e. strengths of each institution • Assess needs and realistic possibilities in each area • Establish tangible and measurable goals PHASE II: • Conduct research and elaborate structure of programs PHASE III: • Publish conclusions • Create follow-up commission