With export earnings increasing by 21%, to US$3.17bn, (faster than the 6.3% growth of imports), the trade deficit was reduced by 28%, to US$665m, and the country's international reserves rose to a record US$1.57bn at end-July. The GDP growth rate in the first half of last year was 2.1%.
HONDURAS | Dramatic construction slump. The lack of public funds to maintain the road system will lead about 100 construction firms to suspend operations, starting now, according to the Cámara Hondureña de la Industria de la Construcción. The chamber says this, in turn, will lead to the loss of 45,000 jobs. There could also be a collateral impact, as the poor state of the roads will combine with a severe rainy season to impede cargo transport.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | Fate of media empire uncertain. The Dominican government appears to have changed its mind about returning the Báez Figueroa media empire, as ordered by a court on 29 July [WR-03-30]. It had initially signalled that it would comply with the court order. The Listín Diario group, which includes the country's oldest newspaper (plus three others, four TV stations and more than 70 radio stations), was seized by the government after the fraudulent collapse of Baninter. The former editors of the group's media outlets are filing a suit with the Inter-American Human Rights Commission.
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