It is usual for businesspeople to dress smartly and to deal formally with each other at first, although the general atmosphere is informal. Spanish is the main business language and a knowledge of it will be of assistance. Hotels can usually assist with interpreter services.
Office hours:Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1400-1800.
Government office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1500.
Economy:Often pointed to as being the largest in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic's economy relies largely on agricultural cash-crops and the mining industry. Other industrial investments are food, drinks, chemicals and the refining of imported oil. Tourism is another major player, and the country's service sector has now overtaken agriculture as the main employer.
The economy has experienced some problems with growth and unemployment, both of which remain a difficulty. Latest official figures on unemployment show that levels are stuck at around 14.2%. Another key problem is income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the richest 10% has nearly 40%. It's not uncommon to see gleaming new 4x4 vehicles bumper-to-bumper with rusting, rasping old hatchbacks. The country relies on substantial foreign aid.
The Dominican Republic is a member of CARICOM, the major regional trading bloc.
GDP:US$50.9 billion (2010).
Main exports:Ferronickel, sugar, gold, coffee and cocoa.
Main imports:Food, petroleum, cotton, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Main trading partners:Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico and USA.
CODETEL (owned and operated by Verizon), Dominican Republic's telecommunications company, has produced the 'Comunicard', which enables tourists visiting the country to phone anywhere abroad from any touch-tone phone.
Mobile phone:Roaming agreements exist with a number of international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good along most coastal areas and around towns but patchy elsewhere. There is a 3G network.
Internet:The number of Internet cafés is rapidly growing as the Dominican Republic embraces the Internet. Expect to pay between 20 and 35 pesos for 30 minutes' use.
Post:Airmail takes about 10 days to reach Western Europe. It is advisable to post all mail at the central post office in Santo Domingo to ensure rapid handling.
Media:The ownership of newspapers, TV channels and radio stations lays in the hands of a few economically or politically powerful benefactors. There are several terrestrial TV channels and some 30 multichannel cable TV operators. Most of the 200-plus radio stations are commercial. Rumba FM is typical of Santo Domingo's lively earful of merengue and salsa music stations.
Press freedom is protected by law. Consequently, media outlets carry diverse political views although some subjects, such as the Catholic Church and the army, are generally avoided. Daily papers are in Spanish and include El Caribe, Hoy, Listín Diario and El Nacional. The English-language Santo Domingo News is published weekly on Wednesday and can be obtained in many hotels. There are online English-language news services at www.dominicantoday.com and www.dr1.com.
