Some large firms maintain completely independent electricity supplies. As noted above, legislation to allow the privatization of CDE and other state-owned enterprises was passed in June 1997. CDE's privatization, headed by the Commission for the Reform of Public Enterprises, is now expected to take place in the fall of 1998. The Dominican Republic has a well developed road network, which the Government continues to improve. Nevertheless, as in most developing countries, some of the roads and highways are considered to be in poor and dangerous condition.
Truckers belong to syndicates that regulate prices, increasing the price of haulage.
Santo Domingo and other major cities are serviced by modern port facilities. There is also daily freight service to Puerto Rico. Other ports are located in the cities of La Romana, Boca Chica, San Pedro de Macoris and Puerto Plata. A passenger car ferry initiated service between Santo Domingo and Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, in June 1998. The Dominican Republic has one of the most advanced telecommunications networks in Latin America.