Above: new Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina opening the school year in San Juan de la Maguana this week (Photo: OP)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

New Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina’s economic team is “evaluating” the economic, financial and budget situation of the country in order to take appropriate action for the rest of the year, according to Minister of the Presidency Gustavo Montalvo.

The Minister said Medina’s government was ready to begin preparing the draft budget to submit to the National Congress for 2013.

Montalvo said Medina planned to work with a sense of “frugality” and “austerity.”

Medina announced his new cabinet the same day as taking office last week. Next will be the appointment of other officials in public administration, Montalvo said, a process that will be done gradually.

“First ministers are appointed, then directors general, then [deputy] directors general,” he said. “This is the natural process.”