After much study and analysis of the Dominican Republic’s economic situation, members of the Dominican Center for Economic Studies, Inc. have taken steps to try and involve Dominicans abroad—especially in New York—in the country’s development.

“Over the years, Dominicans have been looking carefully at ways that we can contribute to the country’s economic development and we have established a methodology for work capable of bettering our social, cultural and economic sectors in which Dominicans living in New York form a integral part of it,” declared Dr. Felix Rodriguez, president of the organization.

He stated that part of the effort includes workshops and conferences with various sectors of the Dominican community in New York, in order to educate Dominican nationals on critical economic issues that affect most Dominicans and which threaten the development and social stability of Dominican families. These meetings are held at the Clark Conference Room in the Milstein Building at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, in the heart of the Dominican community in Washington Heights.

In an exclusive interview with Republica News, Dr. Jimenez said that they have established a working agenda, backed by advanced technology, which has identified existing economic and administrative sectors that, due to bad management and planning, have dragged the Caribbean nation into a crisis with unpredictable consequences. Furthermore, the work includes an analysis and study of the Dominican economy internationally, including fiscal deficits, labor issues, income, production, commercial activity, stock markets, import/export, and other areas.

“Naturally, we have been studying carefully the economic malaise affecting the country, and we have established viable alternatives that work in an inter-related manner to form an integral approach to transforming the country’s economy.”

He assured us that, “the group in New York has identified a way to form part of the economic development process of their native country. Already last year, some sectors of the ex-pat community sent $2.1 million in humanitarian aid to the country. It represents the largest infusion of capital to the country, and the Dominican government did not have to make any investment to generate that capital.

“The Dominican government generates dollars making investments, through tourism and exports. But, in order to generate the millions of dollars that the residents in New York send back to country, the state has no need to invest any money.”