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���������ֳ�-New York-30 April 2010: ���������ֳ� has assigned a 'B' rating to the Dominican Republic's USD750 million global bond issuance maturing in May 2021 (7.5% coupon). The rating is in line with The Dominican Republic's Long-term Foreign Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of 'B'. The proceeds will go toward financing infrastructure and providing support to other sectors of the Dominican economy.

High per capita income, as well as stronger social, governance and business environment indicators relative to 'B'-range peers, continue to support the sovereign's ratings. However, the Dominican Republic's weak liquidity position relative to 'B'-range peers highlighted the country's vulnerability to external shocks in an environment of lower global growth and tighter international liquidity conditions, as growth decelerated to 1.4% in the first half of 2009 (1H'09) compared with 7.7% in 1H'08.

'Approval of a 28-month USD1.7 billion SBA with the IMF last October provided the government greater access to near-term multilateral financing, which eased constraints on capital spending experienced earlier in 2009 and contributed to a resurgence of growth, which reached 3.5% for the year, the highest rate of growth among ���������ֳ�-rated sovereigns in Latin America and the Caribbean,' said Theresa Paiz Fredel, Senior Director at ���������ֳ�.

The IMF program should also support the government's efforts to deepen structural reforms and maintain macroeconomic stability during this congressional election year. The residual impulse of accommodative monetary and fiscal policies, renewed capital inflows, and the U.S. economic recovery, will intensify growth momentum this year and next.

The Dominican Republic's ratings would benefit from stronger external liquidity and the maintenance of macroeconomic stability. By contrast, a sustained increase in external financing requirements, as well as a sharp decline in non-debt creating capital inflows or a return of capital flight which results in downward pressures on the peso and a continual erosion of international reserves would be credit negative.

Applicable criteria, 'Sovereign Rating Methodology', dated 16 October 2009, are available at ''.

Contact: Theresa Paiz Fredel +1-212-908-0534 or Casey Reckman +1-212-908-9155, New York.

Media Relations: Brian Bertsch, New York, Tel: +1 212-908-0549, Email: brian.bertsch@fitchratings.com.

Additional information is available at ''.