required report public distribution date 10 1 2004 gain number dr4016 dominican republic exporter guide annual approved by david g salmon prepared fradbelin escarraman highlights revised for the includes psd changes no trade matrix unscheduled santo domingo dr1 dr usda foreign agricultural service global agriculture information network template version 2 09 page of 19 unclassified to consumer food market in i overview a current economic situation was until recently seen as bright spot latin american picture with highest sustained growth hemisphere five year period through 2002 averaging 7 6 percent however building problems 2003 were exacerbated spectacular bank collapse and default allegations corruption which resulted negative 3 gdp inflation that 5 soared over 40 peso averaged 17 76 us dollar during lost more than half its value is now trading
