Leader of the Year: Leonel Fernandez Reyna: President, Dominican Republic.

• Position: Biograf

ACHIEVEMENTS Since his election to a second term (2004-2008), President Leonel Fernandez has sparked an unprecedented recovery in his nation's economy, putting the Dominican Republic back on the map for international investors and paving the way for implementation of the DR-Cafta free trade agreement with the United States. During his first term (1996-2000), the Dominican Republic posted an average annual growth rate of 8%, making it one of the region's fastest-growing economies.

Yet, after leaving office in 2000, the country suffered a banking sector collapse and subsequent economic crisis. Fernandez's economic recovery plan has since given way to a robust 9.3% GDP expansion in 2005, while inflation returned to single digits and investor confidence returned. Foreign investment exceeded US$1 billion in 2005, a 44% increase over 2004, and exports and tourism development are growing.

Trade has been one of the cornerstones of Fernandez's economic program during both terms. In addition to signing DR-Cafta, his...