The following construction pictures were taken in January 2008 in Punta Perla

Progress report from Punta Perla Caribbean Golf, Marina & Spa S.A.

Dear Mr. /Mrs._____________

First of all, we would like to thank you for your continued confidence in our project in the Dominican Republic.

As you probably know from our commercial agents, Punta Perla Sales Ltd, at the end of last December we began preliminary works for the preparation and conditioning of the project land in order to facilitate the main construction work to follow.

At the same time and after an exhaustive process to choose the best international construction materials, we began the planning for their importation. Additionally, several areas previously covered by vegetation have been transformed into roads to allow larger scale machinery to access the plot.

Such equipment is necessary to complete the next steps of infrastructure and building.

We are pleased to let you know that all these works have now come to an end and we are about to begin the next phase of construction, even though we have not obtained the full tax exemptions from the Government of Dominican Republic (CONFOTUR).

As you know, CONFOTUR grants a series of tax exemptions as outlined in Law158-01, later modified by Law 184-02. This legislation has created tax exemptions that are principally geared for and beneficial to those developers responsible for tourist projects in the Dominican Republic. For instance, the law exempts the payment of taxes and tariffs on the importation of construction materials and machinery. The aforementioned law also offers a series of tax exemptions for investors in these same tourist projects.

Punta Perla Caribbean Golf, Marina and Spa, S.A. has not been granted such exemptions at this time. The reason for this is that we have solicited tax exemptions for the whole project, which implies a complicated bureaucratic procedure in the Dominican Republic. Please keep in mind that Punta Perla is an extremely large scale project and, as such, it requires a great amount of paperwork to obtain the necessary tax exemptions for the project in its entirety.

Currently, this is the direction we are pursuing, as Punta Perla Caribbean Golf Marina and Spa, S.A. has made this commitment with its investors. On top of this, the Punta Perla project is located in an area that qualifies for these types of exemptions by Law.

The date for the next CONFOTUR in which the Punta Perla project will be approved has not been determined yet by the Dominican authorities. Despite not yet enjoying the tax exemptions and despite knowing that the next CONFOTUR meeting will take place in the coming months, Punta Perla has decided to wait no further and to initiate the next construction phase.

The exact date for the commencement of this second construction phase will be announced in the coming 30 days time. The works during this phase will be carried out by the Selman Group along with the construction group Kuki Silverio (www.kukysilverio.com). The identity of the international construction group for Punta Perla will be revealed during the next public announcement ceremony for the project, which will take place within 4 months and at which time we will have the pleasure of presenting a series of exciting updates that benefit the Punta Perla project and all involved. We will be sure to keep you informed on these exciting events.

We are honoured to have your support as an investor in our project, which currently enjoys a great amount of prestige and is sure to become a world renowned development and an international point of reference in the very near future.

The profitable rental package offered by Punta Perla is bolstered by the fact that the project is located in the Caribbean, a region in which property investments are enjoying an average 20% annual increase in value. Property investment returns are particularly noteworthy in the Punta Cana region where an impressive regional economic boom has turned the area into a top holiday destination and a preferred target for real estate investment internationally.
( http://www.emergingearth.com )

We at Punta Perla Caribbean Golf, Marina and Spa, S.A. are passionate about helping you maximize the returns on your investment and will continue to drive the project forward, ensuring that your existing/potential investment delivers everything you expected and more.

We look forward to seeing you during our future presentation. If you have any questions, Punta Perla Sales Ltd will be happy to assist you in anything you may need.

Best regards,

Jeff Wagner

Director of External Relations

April 29, 2008

Florida investors set sights on Dominican northeast

SANTO DOMINGO. - The United States economic slowdown has prompted numerous Florida investors to seek profits abroad, specifically in Dominican Republic.

That interest is shown by a company of engineers from Fort Myers, which opened an office in Las Terrenas, Samana peninsula (northeast); a real estate company is building condominiums in Cabrera and yet another investor is exploring the possibility of selling in an alternative to sculpted stone, and even transferring its production there.

"Our economy is weak, so we're looking for opportunities at other sites," said Leonardo Garcia, executive director of Florida's Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "The opportunity is given to people to invest and bring here the income they generate in Dominican Republic. That money will be invested in our local economy."

Continue Reading ...

DominicanToday May 2, 2008

Sweden's Ikea begins construction in Dominican capital

SANTO DOMINGO. - Dominican Republic's trade opening with the United States and the European Union has brought the second largest international chain of department stores to the country.

In addition to Carrefour, Dominican shoppers will soon have an Ikea store located in the city's central area, to compete with local establishments.

The news comes one week after the chain Americana Departamentos began construction of a large shopping center called Galeria 360, at a cost of US$70 million, right next to its current store at John F. Kennedy avenue.

The Sweden-based Ikea yesterday began construction of its department store on a lot of 80,000 square meters also located next to Americana, at an estimated cost of US$65 million. It's expected to open by yearend 2009.

DominicanToday April 30, 2008

Group Metro to develop 1 billion dollar project in Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- Group Metro, the acclaimed real estate leader in the Dominican Republic, is pleased to announce their latest, exciting project, Costa Blanca by Metro. The residential golf & beach community will span across 270 acres of lush property including almost 3 miles of coastline overlooking the Caribbean Sea, which also includes a half mile of gorgeous beach front in the blue lagoon bay of the project.

Adorning the property will be an 18-hole signature Greg Norman Signatura Golf Course, international tennis center, beach club, 52 Founder's Club villas, state-of-the-art condominium towers, a luxurious full-scale marina for over 100 yachts, and private golf club house featuring the Hole 19 Bar, fine dining restaurant, cigar lounge, pro shop, conference center, and more. With top-of-the-line activities and lavish sporting complexes alongside magnificent residences, owners at Costa Blanca will find not only a haven and retreat from the everyday, but also an outlet for recreation and enjoyment.

Continue Reading ...

DominicanToday April 26, 2008

Dominican exports to Europe climb more than 20 percent

MIAMI. - Dominican exports to the European Union grew by 20.5 percent last year to 801.4 million euros. That was the third-highest increase among Latin American countries, according to an analysis from Latin Business Chronicle of data from the official EU statistics agency Eurostat.

Meanwhile, Dominican imports from the EU grew by 15.3 percent to 1.0 billion euros. All in all, two-way trade reached 1.8 billion euros, which was 17.5 percent higher than in 2006.

As a result of the strong growth in exports to the EU, the Dominican Republic replaced Panama as the Latin America's 10th-largest exporter to the trading block. The boost in imports from the EU also lead the Dominican Republic to replace Costa Rica as the EU's 10th-largest market in Latin America.

DominicanToday 8 April 2008

Dominican Republic becoming a player on international golf scene

Long known for silver sand beaches and merengue music, the Dominican Republic is raising its profile as a world-class destination for golf.

The country already hosts the most golf courses of any nation in the Caribbean - at least two dozen. Some are renowned for holes by oceanside cliffs and turquoise seas. Plans call for at least half a dozen more courses in a few years, amid a real estate and tourism boom on the country's sprawling and relatively undeveloped coasts.

Business and government leaders hope publicity for a Professional Golfers Association's Champions Tour event, which ends today, will lure more visitors and home buyers - including many from South Florida, just two hours away by jet and served by frequent flights.

'This is only the beginning of promotions of the Dominican Republic as a golf destination,' Vice Minister of Tourism Magaly Toribio said last week at a trade show in the country's fast-developing east coast region of Punta Cana.

South Florida golf course designers and real estate firms are central to the push.

Continue Reading ...

www.topix.net April 04, 2008

Trump discards U.S. real estate woes hinder his Dominican project

Santo Domingo.- The U.S. magnate Donald Trump discarded that his country's real estate crisis will affect his residential, golf and tourism project under construction in Cap Cana, La Altagracia province (east), and in which he has invested together with the Abrisa Group, reported newspaper El Caribe.

"Outside the United States we are involved in diverse products and the markets are going very well. In the Dominican Republic the market looks well. In the case of Cap Cana with all the conditions it has, there is no another way but to also go well," he said.

In a press conference in Cap Cana to present the project's advances, Trump said he's confident the United States economic crisis will end in 6 to 12 months. "It's always necessary to worry about what happens in the United States but what's happening right now is that it's going to begin to change rather soon, to improve. In about six to twelve months –it's a prediction of mine- that improvement is going to begin."

DominicanToday 24 March 2008

Dominican tourism grows 9.14 percent in first two months

SANTO DOMINGO.- This year Dominican Republic's tourism industry could grow more than in 2007, with 725,238 travelers visiting the country in the first two months, or 9.14 percent more than the same period a year ago.

Tourism minister Felix Jiménez said Central Bank figures show that 372,002 tourists came to the country in February, 2008, or 13 percent more than the same month last year.

The highest percentage of tourists come from Canada (14%), followed by the United States (10%) and Europe with (2.1%). Among the European countries Russia leads with 9.3 percent, followed by Belgium (7.2%) and England (2.7%).

Jiménez said the jump in visits is the result of more government spending on advertising, at an average of US$23.3 million in the last three years.

The official said in addition to publicity, middle-class tourism, the sector which most visits the country, is responsible for the growth.

DominicanToday 14 March 2008

PGA Championship Tour comes to Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- The Cap Cana PGA Championship Tour will take place at the Punta Espada Golf Course from 31 March to 6 April.

Some of the confirmed players are Jay Haas, Craig Stadler, Curtis Strange, Tom Watson, Tom Kite, Nick Price, Fred Funk, Eduardo Romero, Vicente Fernández, Bernhard Langer and Ian Woosnam.

Tickets are RD$1,000 per person for one day and RD$2,000 for 3 days.

DominicanToday 9 March 2008

Berlin Bourse showcases Dominican tourism industry

BERLIN. - In the last 10 years Dominican Republic has received 26 million tourists, 12 million of them from Europe, and three million from Germany, a figure which shows a growth in the industry, said Tourism minister Felix Jiménez in inaugural of Berlin's 4th International Tourism Bourse (ITB), where Dominican Republic is the invitee of honor.

He said despite the jump in that nation's tourism industry, most foreigners don't know about the changes made in the country's tourist infrastructure, citing beach transformations in the hotels of Puerto Plata, at a cost of more than 150 million dollars, among other beach recoveries, and marine and coastal defense systems.

Jiménez said as part of the changes to benefit Dominican tourism, opening this year are the Westin-Macao hotels in Punta Cana, and the Four Seasons in La Romana; the start of construction of Punta Cana's Ritz Carlton complex, whereas the Aman will begin construction in Rio San Juan, in 2009. "The transformations we carried out in tourism in Dominican Republic are many, thanks to president Leonel Fernandez's vision of the future."

The official spoke in a gathering of thousands of officials, tour operators and journalists in the Berlin Convention Center, who attended the reception hosted by Dominican Republic in the opening of the ITB-2008.

DominicanToday 6 March 2008

Dominican Republic is attractive location for property investment

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic is an attractive location for people looking to invest in overseas property. That is according to Tony Knowles, director of London International Property, who maintained that the country's property market was one of the most affordable in the Caribbean.

He also said that rental accommodation in the Dominican Republic was in high demand as the Caribbean was a hugely important tourist destination.

Knowles commented: "[There's a high] amount of investment that's going on, mainly high-end investment. In terms of land-pricing, it's one of the better value for money islands in the Caribbean, certainly relative to Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts etcetera."

"It's a very safe country and it's renowned as being one of the friendliest in the Caribbean and there's potential for growth. Buy-to-let in the Caribbean stands up anyway. It's one of the biggest tourist destinations worldwide and has one of the longest rental seasons."

He added that the Dominican Republic's property market was "straightforward" and accommodating to overseas investors.

DominicanToday 1 March 2008

By 2012 tourists to bring US$5B in income, Dominican Tourism chief says

SANTO DOMINGO.- Around 5 million tourists will visit Dominican Republic in 2012, bringing with them 5 billion dollars in income, said Tourism minister Felix Jiménez on Thursday, basing his projections on the "millions" the Dominican Government spends in the tourism regions, as well as on the "imminent" start of major real estate projects in Punta Cana (east).

"The Government has invested around 100 million dollars in the tourism sector, in addition to investments in areas such as roads, sanitary cleanup, beach regeneration and the elimination of shanty areas of the tourism zones," said Jiménez in a statement read during the Business Table hosted by the British magazine The Economist in Santo Domingo on Thursday.

During the next four years, the official said, there will be 2,500 more hotel rooms in the country, and that in 2007 to build a hotel room cost more than 140,000 dollars on average, compared with 40,000 dollars 10 years ago. "The real estate investments go hand in hand with development of important attractions, such as golf courses and marinas, and just in the East, from Juan Dolio to Bavaro, 15 golf facilities are operating, whereas eight others are being built."

As to the environmental aspect, the Tourism minister said it’s a requirement for tourism development. "As you know, the model 'everything included' tends to concentrate the income around resorts, limiting the benefits the communities derive, while other modalities spread the income in a more democratic manner, which indicates that we are headed toward a more a sustainable model in environmental, social and economic terms."

DominicanToday 28 February 2008

Dominican Golf

The Caribbean's number one destination goes for the green.

The World Tourism Organization named the DR the "Caribbean's Number One Destination" in 2006, ending Puerto Rico's 40-year reign. More than 4.4 million people vacationed here last year, one million of them from the U.S. Most arrived at the modern Punta Cana airport, one of five international gateways.

The country has caught on not only as a vacation destination but also as a place for affluent Americans to build homes in exclusive resort/residential communities with golf. The DR has more courses (25) than any other Caribbean country. Five new tracks have opened since 2001, and at least three more will debut in 2007. A dozen layouts are in various stages of development. Major designers are represented here - Pete Dye, P.B. Dye, Tom Fazio, Jim Fazio, Nick Faldo, Gary Player, Nick Price, Robert Trent Jones, and even Jack Nicklaus, whose first Caribbean venture is a three-course deal, and a residential development bearing his name.

Continue reading...

Executive Traveler

Tropical Village Prices Increased

The Tropical Village has our lowest priced properties on the development, however as you can see from our Availability Listing (Fill out the "Contact Us" Form to receive the current Availability Listing) all Tropical Village prices have been increased by 10% on February 1st 2008.

Punta Perla Sales
February 2, 2008

The excellent news - CONSTRUCTION STARTED

I am delighted to give you the news that we have received a statement from the Developer confirming that building works have begun on Punta Perla site.

As you can imagine a project of this size (2700 acres) will takes some time to secure the site and beach area. They will be starting on the roads so that access can be gained for all heavy machinery and materials, a project of this size will not see buildings springing up out of the ground straight away there is a lot of ground work and infrastructure that needs to take place first off.

The Development has now received The Non Objection for Tourism which gives authorisation for construction to start.

Punta Perla Sales
January 10, 2008

Punta Perla Golf Resort, a hotspot for investors

If you think the property market is cooling, think again. Dominican Republic off plan property is currently one of the hottest deals for investors. Attracting great interest at the moment is the Punta Perla Golf Resort on the eastern tip of the coastline.

Santo Domingo.– The Dominican Republic has long been a favourite golfing destination for the rich and famous, including many US presidents. With 21 golf courses, including stunning oceanfront fairways, it's easy to see why the country is one of the world's most attractive golfing hotspots.

Tourism is the biggest earner, and there's an opportunity for the investor around every corner. Plus, with direct flights from the UK and only 4 hours' time difference, it's easy to reach to manage an investment.

In this thriving property market foreign investors are increasing by the day. Many Dominican Republic property values have doubled in just a few years, and Punta Perla investment property looks set to follow. Plus, with an influx of 4 million international visitors to the country each year (and likely to double by 2015), the potential for property rentals is huge. The Dominican Republic also has one of the highest hotel occupancy rates anywhere in the world – a clear indicator that this Punta Perla investment opportunity is one not to be missed.

The Punta Perla Golf Resort, located at Punta Cana, offers opportunities for the investor and visitor alike. Golfers will enjoy three 18-hole world-class signature courses, designed by Colin Montgomerie, plus the Golf Academy.

Guests can also make the most of watersports, scuba, snorkelling, paragliding, horseriding at the equestrian centre, tennis, polo, the best spa in the Caribbean, luxury 5-star hotel, pools, shops, bars and restaurants, cinema and entertainment, business centre, casino and an onsite medical centre. With so much global competition in the golf resort market, Punta Perla is determined to outshine them all.

The golf resort itself links in with a 400-mooring marina, tropical village and Beach Club. Punta Cana International Airport is also just a short drive away. The Punta Perla Golf Resort is set in a stunning 2,700-acre tropical paradise. It promises to be one of the most exclusive and prestigious golf resorts in the world, with something for everyone and for all ages.

Just being there, you could easily believe you've died and gone to heaven -- not just because of the year-round summer temperatures, the crystal waters, oh-so-blue skies and sun-kissed beaches, but also because of the significant financial incentives to investors buying before the end of January 2008, including cashback on completion, a guaranteed buyback schemes with 30 percent bonus, 10-year tax incentives, guaranteed rental income and a shared rental 'pool'. And all of this for prime beach-front real estate in an eco-conscious development.

The 8,000 properties, most with terrace and Jacuzzi, include villas, apartments, penthouse suites, townhouses and millionaires mansions. Punta perla off plan properties range from $245,000-$1.4m and are built with low-density in mind.

The Dominican Republic has a long international history, being the first permanent European settlement in the Americas with the first European-built road system. The capital, Santo Domingo was also the first colonial capital in the Americas. It's a tropical paradise – so beautiful that Christopher Columbus almost didn't go home! And now the prospects for capital growth are just as appealing as the landscape itself.

Dominican Today
6 January 2008

The most recent crime statistics

The most recent statistics for the number of people incarcerated (in jail) for every 100,000 inhabitants in the following countries is as follows:

• UNITED STATES (USA) - 750
• VIRGIN ISLANDS (USA) - 549
• CUBA - 531
• BERMUDA - 464
• BAHAMAS - 462
• PUERTO RICO (USA) - 356
• PANAMA - 337
• MEXICO - 198
• COSTA RICA -187
• DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 143
• CANADA - 107
• FRANCE - 85
• VENEZUELA - 74
• SWEDEN - 79

Based on these findings we can conclude that:

• There are more criminals in the Unites States on average than in any other place on earth.
• There are a very high number of criminals in Bermuda - with respect to Dominican Republic.
• There are more criminals in Costa Rica or Mexico, on a per capita basis than in Dominican Republic.

Source: Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), International Comparisons of Criminal Justice Statistics.