Free zones, a gleaming new Cyberpark and the prospective potential of DR-CAFTA combine to create a competitive environment that is attracting international investors and public sector funding.

Industry and commerce minister Francisco Javier García Fernández and his director of foreign trade Vilma Arbaje de Contreras talk to The Banker about the Dominican Republic’s prospects under DR-CAFTA.

Finance minister Vicente Bengoa explains how DR-CAFTA’s system of tax-free exports to the US should help the country survive Chinese textile competition.

Dominican banks have been strong in the corporate sector but are still striving for the custom of a largely unbanked population, a vast number of microbusinesses and a share of the buzzing remittances market.John McCarthy reports.

Diversification continues to be a hallmark of the Dominican economy and this, along with prudent financial management, helps explain the country’s marked turnaround, says John McCarthy.

Algeria has lightened its debt burden and foreign investors at last seem keen to invest in subsidiaries and privatisations, write Jon Marks and Nadine Marroushi.

Brazilian companies are starting to use syndicated loans as part of a toolbox to create more stable, flexible debt profiles. John Rumsey reports.

Wendy Atkins in Bali reports on the expansion of Indonesia’s microcredit operations that have proved to be resilient depositories for the poor in times of economic crisis.

With the relevance of developing a securitisation market in China unclear and demand in doubt, a second batch of pilots is nevertheless in the offing. Samantha Lafferty reports.

Russia dominated the bonds and equities scenes last year but this year there are likely to be opportunities for small corporates and second-tier banks in other CEE countries to join the fray, writes Michael Marray.