Puerto Rico in Economic Crisis Luis Davila — a lawyer, news analyst, and radio host in Puerto Rico — says that Dunkin’ Donuts is leaving the island over a dispute, but that the economic downturn is an important consideration. “These franchises that operate with local entrepreneurs are the ones who have to capitalize and expand. In this case, Dunkin’ Donuts wanted more money and capitalization before the fierce competition of Kispy Kreme.” According to the analyst, Starbucks and Krispy Kreme are Dunkin’ Donuts’ direct competition, since they both offer pastries and coffee: “Both chains have expanded strongly in the island.” But the point beyond dispute, Davila says, is that the economic depression has played a strong role in the closure of the 18 locations on the island. “It’s a bit of everything. The [recession] began in Puerto Rico in 2001, and even in 2014 the government has not found a way out. There are so many closed businesses, [yet] government is adding more taxes and creating barriers to trade.” For the analyst, the economic downturn has caused more than half of Puerto Ricans to migrate to the United States: “Every year, about 75,000 people leave the island. While 3.5 million people currently live in Puerto Rico, 5 million [Puerto Ricans] reside in the United States.” He also added that “contrary to Cubans who escape from their island on rafts and without any visas, Puerto Ricans do it on a jet and with citizenship.” Finally, he said that given a contracting economy and a population that migrates and is getting older, it is logical to conclude that “businesses are suffering, especially cafes, restaurants, bakeries, and bars.” Puerto Rico is suffering an economic and fiscal crisis due to the fact that the island’s debt is approximately $110 billion, according to a reported released in July by the local Association of Authorized Public Accountants (CCPA). The board of experts have expressed their concern and issued a series of recommendations to overcome the magnitude of the crisis and develop an economic plan to achieve fiscal discipline. “Raising taxes may be a part of the solution, but not the solution,” the report says. “We must follow the pattern of other countries, where the crisis has been addressed with a substantial cut in public spending … That is to say, do not allow the tax system to obstruct the productivity of the country.”
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 01:41:47 +0000