Recently attending the CEBIT 2007 Technological Fair held in Hanover, Germany, Director of the Export and Investment Centre of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD), Eddy Martinez, showcased the advantages of business and investment opportunities that the country has to offer. He also met with executives of Volkswagen and with heads of companies in the energy and construction sectors.

More than 600,000 people attended the business fair at which over 6,000 companies from Europe, Latin America, Asia, North America and the Caribbean were represented.

I don't know about you guys but I haven't got a dry pair of shoes left, my vitamin D levels are deficient and I've got a bad case of cabin fever! I'm starting to believe that Mother Nature just bought shares in an umbrella company.

The good news is there may be a little bit of relief by the end of the week. At least things don't look as dire.

But for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday it's pretty much the same old drill - cloudy with a good chance of scattered and isolated thunderstorms. Daytime temps in the low 80F's (where's that sweater??) and nighttime lows of about 68F (stop hogging the covers!).

By Thursday, and through until Sunday, we are looking at partly cloudy with scattered showers. Temperatures may even creep up to the mid-80F's!!! Overnight lows still call for covers.

I'm feeling optimistic about next week - even Mother Nature's gotta be getting tired of this!

Have a great week but keep an umbrella handy!

An agreement signed today by Santo Domingo's Mayor Roberto Salcedo and the Airports Department's Director Andrés Vanderhorst will lay the ground for the construction of a heliport on Santo Domingo's Malecón. It is part of the "Changing Santo Domingo" plan and is intended to offer visitors and business people a new tourist attraction in the capital.

Other projects include the rehabilitation of the Colonial Zone by improving parks, protecting green areas, increasing patrols by the tourist police, Politur, improving lighting and electricity supply, painting houses and monuments, paving work, installing street signs and refurbishing public spaces. Everything is intended to re-establish this historical centre as a tourist attraction.

American Airlines has announced that it will continue with its support of Dominican swim champ Marcos Diaz. The renewal of their support means that the airline will continue to fly the athlete to countries around the world to compete in important swim events.

Marketing Manager for American Airlines, Oliver Bojos commented on how proud they are to support such a national talent.