Abinader: “We have delivered more housing than any other government has ever delivered before”

This Saturday, President Luis Abinader presided over two apartment handover ceremonies, benefiting 208 families who now have a roof over their heads.

The first delivery of some 112 apartments occurred in the Hato Nuevo sector, in Manoguayabo, Santo Domingo Oeste, specifically in the Hato Nuevo V Residencial, built by Constructora Bisonó.

In his speech, the President praised the trajectory of the construction company and the “innovative scheme, which is really working” of public-private alliances.

“This is a government of all. A government of those who have the least and it is also a government to develop business, to develop commerce and those who think that there are differences between one sector and another, it is the opposite,” he said.

Abinader explained that it is fundamental to maintain social peace with actions of social justice.

“That is why we have increased social assistance in the government. More than doubled, because we have doubled the amount given and we have doubled the number of people who receive it,” he added.

He also stressed that “the goal of any family when asked what they want in life is to have their own home.”

“In these two years and eight months, we have delivered more houses than any other government has ever delivered before… We will continue to do so because of the importance we give to social programs,” he concluded.

Investment
For his part, the Minister of the Presidency, Joel Santos, offered detailed information on the investment made in this project.

“When I speak of public-private alliances, I want you to know that this project had an investment of more than 252 million pesos by the developer, Constructora Bisonó, while the State, represented by the Government headed by President Luis Abinader, contributed more than 97 million pesos in subsidies,” explained the Minister.

Santos specified that of the subsidy, 33.6 million pesos correspond to the Bono Inicial, 24.1 million to Bono Itbis, and 37.6 million to Bono Tasa. He also indicated that 1.7 million pesos are focused on the Bono Mujer, granted to nine women who are heads of household.

The President of Constructora Bisonó, Rafael Vitelio Bisonó, also participated in the event and highlighted the compliance in the payments of the people who request support from the social programs.

Lolita I Project
Afterward, the authorities moved to the Lolita I Residencial, also in Hato Nuevo, where 96 new apartments were delivered to an equal number of families through the National Housing Plan Familia Feliz.

Among the beneficiaries, four female heads of the household received the Bono Mujer granted by the Ministry of Women. With these 96 units, there are now 753 housing units delivered by the government through the Happy Family Plan.

Minister Santos explained that these 96 families had been supported with 77,696,000 pesos by receiving the Initial, Itbis, and 7-year rate bonds, considerably reducing the value of the house they are receiving today.

The developer of Residencial Lolita I, Louis Bogaert, invested more than 208 million pesos in an infrastructure project that guarantees security and comfort to the residents. At the same time, the government assumed an essential subsidy for the families.

On behalf of Louis Bogaert, his wife, Nicole Morales, said that Residencial Lolita I has 21 buildings, with apartments ranging from 54 to 68 square meters, designed with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, laundry area, and balcony.

Likewise, the Lolita II and III projects are already in the permitting phase to begin construction soon.

More housing
Minister Joel Santos announced that by 2023 another 5,000 homes are planned to be delivered, and by 2024 the construction of 10,000 more is planned, thus adding to other programs being developed by this government, such as Mi Vivienda and RD se Reconstruye.

Places in Monte Cristi that you should not miss this Holy Week

Santiago, DR

If you are one of those who have decided to vacation this Easter, the Monte Cristi province is a different possibility. Therefore, we recommend some places when you arrive in San Fernando de Monte Cristi.

Monte Cristi has six municipalities that are distributed over an area of 1,989 square kilometers: Castañuelas, Guayubin, Villa Vásquez, Las Matas de Santa Cruz, Pepillo Salcedo (Manzanillo), and its capital San Fernando, and with four Municipal Districts: Palo Verde, Hatillo Palma, Villa Elisa, and Cana Chapetón, each with something to show.

Although the beaches of Monte Cristi are seen as the attraction par excellence, it is recommended that, before going, take a tour of the city center and visit the surroundings of Central Park. There you can see the symbolic Montecristi Clock, a symbol built in France and installed on March 11, 1895, being inaugurated on June 29 of that year.

Also next to the Duarte Park of that city is the Parish of San Fernando, which stands out for its tinted windows and an altar made of mahogany, attracting visitors for its architectural design inspired by the nineteenth century.

The senator of that province, Ramón Antonio Pimentel Gómez (Moreno Arias), said that, on the way to the different beaches, on the way to the hill, you can know the most important Salinas in the country, which is, in turn, a pillar activity in the economy of the town.

Moreno Arias said that “you will be surprised by the salt ponds, you will be able to know the process of the main seasoning of the kitchen.”

Also, any visitor who goes to Monte Cristi, a city on the Northwest line, cannot return without going to El Morro de Monte Cristi National Park.

El Morro is the natural space that identifies the province. This is part of the Montecristi National Park, one of the leading National Parks in the country.

With an elevation of 242 meters above sea level, its camel shape is very striking; This place will offer you breathtaking views from the top of its summit, composed of dry forest vegetation.

Also, in its surroundings, the beach, also known as “la playa del Morro,” is one of the most attractive natural beaches within the Montecristi National Park. She is known for its brown sand and warm waters.

Places to eat in Montecristi.

On the East-West route, of the Duarte highway, on the way to Montecristeña, you can stop at any of the places in Alto del Medio, Villa Eliza, and Guayubin. In this way, you can enjoy one of the emblematic dishes of the area: the goat, in its different varieties, whether baked, stewed, fried, or as you like, you can find it in these places.

Already in the city of San Fernando, Montecristi, you can go to the boardwalk area and visit a hundred restaurants overlooking the sea.

When night falls, the nightlife of the city of Montecristi is activated, and the center of the municipality becomes a single concert; all visitors converge on the so-called Calle 8 and other surrounding bars.

Impact of cruise ship tourism in Puerto Plata analyzed

As part of the strategic alliance agreed between the Puerto Plata Destination Tourism Cluster (CTDPP) and the School of Tourism and Gastronomy of the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), students and professors of the university visited the ports of Amber Cove and Taino Bay, to apply surveys that will reflect the impact generated by the cruise industry in the value chain and the local economy.

The field practice is part of a series of investigations to structure a market intelligence system that systematically, objectively, and transparently collects and examines data and statistics to plan strategically for tourism-related projects in the province.

Students from Santo Domingo and Santiago, accompanied by professors from both centers, participated in the application of questionnaires in both terminals to capture data on the demographics of visitors, both passengers and crew, their activity, levels of spending, and satisfaction at the destination, willingness to return, among others. Interviews will soon be conducted to investigate the effects of this operation on employment.

The institutions involved in the project announced that all this information would form a baseline study of the socioeconomic impact of cruise ships in the province of Puerto Plata, the results of which will be published later. Furthermore, they added that the cruise ship department of the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) would continue to use the tool for a constant compilation of data to obtain a realistic and updated picture.

PUCMM was represented by Ina Percival, director of the School of Gastronomy and Tourism of the Saint Thomas Aquinas Campus, and professors Clara Barriola, Mirian Laureano, Jetti de Jesús, and Soraya Sànchez.

Also present were Birgitt Heinsen, president of the CTDPP; Atahualpa Paulino, regional director of Mitur; Zobeyda Brito, for the Cruise Department of Mitur; port managers Sharon Mei of Amber Cove, and Harold Sanders of Taino Bay.

Minister of Tourism visits beaches and resorts for Easter Week

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, toured the main beaches and resorts of the country as has been the custom during the Holy Week holiday.

This Holy Saturday, he visited the beaches of La Romana and then the southern resorts, such as Las Marías, in Neiba, Bahoruco province, where vacationers applauded him upon his arrival.

Collado also went to Los Patos and El Quemaíto beaches in Barahona, which the Ministry of Tourism recently refurbished.

During this Holy Week, the minister has also visited the Guayacanes beaches, in San Pedro de Macorís, Macao, La Altagracia province, which were refurbished by the institution so that they would be ready for this holiday.

Puerto Plata, in full swing in cruises: attracts 40 ships this month

Puerto Plata’s appeal to cruise passengers remains unyielding as it continues to bolster its economy through the dynamic generated by this sector. The main tourist hub on the North Coast is set to welcome a total of 40 cruise ships this April 2023. Of these ships, 18 are expected to dock at the Amber Cove Port, which is owned by Carnival Corporation, while the remaining 22 will arrive at the Taino Bay Port, which belongs to the ITM Group.

Atahualpa Paulino, the North regional director of the Ministry of Tourism, has provided data that emphasizes the impact of cruise tourism on the economy of the province of Puerto Plata. He cites the support that President Luis Abinader and Minister of Tourism David Collado have given to this crucial sector, which has helped the Dominican Republic become the primary cruise hub in the entire Caribbean.

Paulino notes that the province of Puerto Plata contributes the most in terms of both ship arrivals and cruise passengers to the country.

Dominican Republic received 180 thousand visits during the Holy Week

During the Holy Week period, over 180,000 foreign tourists flocked to the Dominican Republic from various parts of the world to enjoy the renowned beaches and hotels in different destinations. The Ministry of Tourism reported that hotel occupancy rates in the country’s tourist spots exceeded 95%, with the highest number of visits recorded in the eastern zone. Holy Week is a highly anticipated event for visitors, as it offers a break from work and school life and increases family vacations.

As usual, coastal destinations such as the East and Northeast zones attracted the most visitors. However, the Southern Region, including Barahona and Pedernales provinces, also witnessed a significant number of tourists.

To ensure a safe environment for visitors, the Dominican Government deployed over 40,000 men and women from various state security institutions, especially in tourist destinations. With expectations of record numbers of arrivals this year, the government has been enhancing security and infrastructure in tourist destinations, such as Macao, Caleta, Guayacanes beaches, Los Patos, El Quemaito, Saladilla, Galeras, Las Terrenas, and others.

Through the Ministry of Tourism, important infrastructure works have been carried out on these beaches, providing foreign and local tourists with the necessary conditions to safely enjoy the destinations.

The seven hotels that already have the Mitur tourist quality seal

Qualitur is a certification that identifies service providers who meet the tourism quality standards, and the “Q” mark for Tourist Quality adds credibility, distinction, reliability, and promotion, enhancing the company’s value proposition. Currently, seven hotels in the Dominican Republic have obtained the Qualitur distinction, including Sheraton Santo Domingo, JW Marriott Santo Domingo, Catalonia Santo Domingo, Ocean Blue and Sand, Ocean el Faro, Hotel Intercontinental Real Santo Domingo, March 2023, the Crowne Plaza Santo Domingo.

Additionally, Okra restaurant and tour operators Colonial Tour and Travel and Turenlaces Del Caribe have also received this certification. The objective of Qualitur is to enforce a set of quality requirements that differentiate certified establishments from those that do not meet the standards. To obtain the Qualitur badge, establishments must meet the following requirements: credibility, a commitment to ensuring customer satisfaction; distinction, a positioning strategy for establishments that meet the specified requirements; reliability, a guarantee of compliance with the quality standards offered; and promotion to consumers.

The purpose of the Qualitur badge is to assist the tourism industry in achieving full customer satisfaction, adapting services to meet their expectations, and using available resources to maximize the benefits for both customers and companies that offer tourist services.

RCC Media/Gallup poll: Abinader most likely to be reelected

An RCC Media/Gallup poll reveals that if the presidential elections were today, incumbent President Luis Abinader would receive 48.3% of the vote, former President Leonel Fernández would get 25.9% of the vote, and Santiago Mayor Abel Martínez would get 18.2% of the vote. 7.6% of those polled said they were undecided. Abinader is the most likely candidate for the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM); Leonel Fernandez is the most likely candidate for the Fuerza del Pueblo (FP) and Abel Martínez is the pre-candidate for the former ruling party, the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD). The presidential candidates will be announced in October 2023.

The same poll says that in case a presidential candidate does not receive 50%+1 of the vote, in a second-round vote Abinader would win with 45.9%l, Leonel Fernandez would receive 27.9% and Abel Martinez would receive 19.9% of the vote.

The Fuerza del Pueblo is a dissident group founded when Leonel Fernández split from the PLD after then President Danilo Medina backed his minister of Public Works Gonzalo Castillo as presidential candidate in the 2020 presidential election. There is speculation the FP and PLD could rejoin to present a unified candidate in 2024. But the Gallup poll indicates that this would not be enough to defeat incumbent Luis Abinader. The airing in the judiciary of major corruption scams involving family members of former President Danilo Medina and leading cabinet ministers of the past administration has kept the PLD at a relatively low profile in promoting its pre-candidate Abel Martinez. The Constitution impedes former President Danilo Medina from running again for President, not so former President Leonel Fernandez who pushed through a change to the Constitution in 2015 that enables him to seek office again.

The recent RCC/Gallup poll also showed that former President Leonel Fernandez (FP) has the highest rejection rate with 37.3%, compared to 26.6% of Luis Abinader (PRM) and 20.7% of Abel Martinez (PLD).

In the 2020 presidential election, Luis Abinader won with 52.5% of the vote. Leonel Fernandez received 8.9% of the vote.

The general election calendar establishes that political parties need to choose their presidential candidates in October for the 19 May 2024 presidential election.

The same poll indicates that 62% of eligible voters approve the administration of President Luis Abinader. The poll also placed the rising cost of living as the most important issue for Dominicans today.

Read more in Spanish:
RCC Media on Twitter
N Digital
El Nuevo Diario

11 April 2023

Dolores Vicioso

US Department of State confirms visit of Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman

The US Department of State has officially announced that Deputy Secretary Wendy R. Sherman will be visiting the country as part of a trip that is also taking her to Argentina.

The US Department of State says that the visits to the Dominican Republic and Argentina are to underscore the United States’ “strong bilateral relationships with key partners while furthering our shared interest in advancing democracy, prosperity and security in our hemisphere.”

The visit to the Dominican Republic and Argentina comes after Republican Representative Salazar inquired with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken about major Chinese infrastructure in Argentina and about a travel alert issued for the Dominican Republic.

The US State Department announced:
“In the Dominican Republic, Deputy Secretary Sherman will meet with President Luis Abinader, Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez, and other senior officials. Their discussions will reinforce our strong and enduring bilateral ties across a broad range of issues, including the urgent situation in Haiti. The Deputy Secretary will also engage the Dominican Republic’s diverse civil society, including alumni of US government fellowship and leadership programs. Her visit follows that of Special Presidential Advisor for the Americas Chris Dodd, who participated in the 25 March Ibero-American Summit as a guest of President Abinader.”

The Abinader administration has asked for international actions to contain the violence of gangs in Haiti and bring peace to the neighbor country. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic is burdened with the high social costs of the Haitian population that finds ways to cross the border to receive free social services and work. The position of the US government has traditionally been to insist on the Dominican government taking actions to take on new costs to support the human rights of the Haitian population in the Dominican Republic given the failed state in Haiti.

One of the main issues affecting the Dominican Republic is that the Haitian government for decades has failed to identify its population creating a major limbo when these travel to the Dominican Republic for work and social services. So far, the Dominican Republic has carried the burden of the multidimensional crisis in Haiti in providing social services and work to the displaced Haitian population.

Read more:
US Department of State
US Department of State – biography Wendy Sherman
Diario Libre

DR1 News

DR1 News

11 April 2023

Dominican Republic reduces growth forecast for 2023 to 4.25%.

Santo Domingo, D.R.
The gross domestic product (GDP) of the Dominican Republic will grow by 4.25% at the end of this year, that is, 0.25% less than estimated last November, the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development informed this Friday.

In a press release, the ministry said that growth projections had been revised downwards for 2023 due to a less favorable international environment, given the tightening of financial conditions at the global level. However, it highlighted an expansion in real terms of the GDP of 4.25%.

An improvement in the performance of the Dominican economy is expected for next year, with a natural GDP expansion of 5.0 %.

The economic outlook “continues to be conditioned by the level of uncertainty that currently dominates global markets, as a result of the hardening of financial conditions and the economic slowdown of our main trading partners,” states the report Macroeconomic Outlook 2023-2027, according to a note from the Ministry of Economy.

According to the information, adopting a restrictive monetary policy, the subsidies granted by the Dominican Government to mitigate the increase in fuel prices, and the extension of the temporary suspension of the adjustments to the electricity tariff have contributed to the slowdown in inflation.

Inflation is expected to converge to the target range of 4% ± 1% during 2023, with an expected year-end price growth of 4.5% and an average of 5.5%.

The authorities also project an average exchange rate of 56.79 pesos per dollar, a reduction of 0.41 cents concerning last November’s forecast, and a depreciation rate of 3.0% concerning the 2022 average.

Abinader talks with Canadian Prime Minister on need to solve Haiti crisis

Santo Domingo, DR
Dominican President Luis Abinader discussed the Haiti crisis with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a telephone call.

During the conversation, both expressed concern for Haiti’s declining security conditions.

They also stressed the need to “hold accountable those who cultivate violence, corruption and instability” in that nation.

The latter refers to sanctioning groups involved in financing armed gangs in Haiti.

In the conversation, the Canadian Prime Minister stressed that his country is committed to assisting the Haitian National Police “in its efforts to recover the country and the security” of its territory.

World Bank to provide US$250 MM for modernization of potable water services in Dominican Republic

Washington, DC, USA.
The World Bank today approved a US$250 million loan to support the government of the Dominican Republic’s efforts to improve access to safely managed water and sanitation services and strengthen the capacity and efficiency of water and sanitation institutions.

This operation will benefit 34,700 households (approximately 121,000 people) with access to safe drinking water and 76,300 homes (about 276,000 people) with access to safe sanitation.

“Water sector reform is a priority for the Government of the Dominican Republic. Its objective is to transform and modernize the sector’s governance and institutional framework to increase the production of water for human consumption and achieve a more efficient and sustainable use of water resources. The World Bank’s technical and financial support is being and will be key to promoting institutional reforms and investments to modernize the country’s water sector for the benefit of all,” said Pavel Isa Contreras, Minister of Economy, Planning and Development (MEPyD) of the Dominican Republic.

The US$250 million operation consists of a US$225 million program to increase household climate resilience and provide potable water and sanitation services in the provinces of Monte Cristi, Valverde, Santiago Rodríguez, Santiago, and La Vega in the Yaque del Norte river basin. In addition, the Program will encourage the reduction of water losses, increased access to sanitation services, and improvements in energy efficiency.

The entities responsible for planning, budgeting, execution of activities, and compliance with the proposed goals will be the National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewerage (INAPA), the Santiago Aqueduct and Sewer Corporation (CORAASAN), and the La Vega Aqueduct and Sewer Corporation (CORAAVEGA), under the coordination and supervision of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (MEPyD).

The operation also has a $25 million component to help address institutional reforms, capacity building, and investments in water information systems and dam safety instrumentation to adapt to climate shocks effectively. This component will support program supervision, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation, including verification and auditing of results. It will be executed by the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (MEPyD) and the National Institute of Water Resources (INDRHI).

The US$250 million loan is the first of two phases in a 10-year Multiphase Program Approach (MPA), the first of its kind in the Dominican Republic. The MPA will support the government’s transformative investments in the water sector to address sector challenges by (i) fostering reforms and (ii) improving the quality, resilience, and efficiency of water resources management and drinking water and sanitation to adapt to climate change.

“The Dominican Republic has high levels of access to drinking water and sanitation infrastructure; however, challenges persist in the quality of services. With this first phase of a 10-year programmatic approach, the World Bank reaffirms its long-term commitment to modernizing the drinking water and sanitation sector in the Dominican Republic, as well as improving water resources management and resilience to climate change,” said Alexandria Valerio, World Bank Resident Representative in the Dominican Republic.

Over ten years, the World Bank’s estimated US$500 million MPA Program financing package will leverage investment from the government, water, sanitation, hygiene providers, and other development partners. The MPA Program will aim to expand access for 300,000 people to safe water supply and 600,000 people to safely managed sanitation in the country over ten years.

The US$250 million loan for the Dominican Republic Water Sector Modernization Program has a final maturity date of 35 years, including a five-year grace period.

The Dominican Republic consolidates its position as the main tourist destination in the Caribbean

The Caribbean remains one of the most coveted and appealing regions for tourists, especially after the post-Covid recovery demonstrated by an increase in international arrivals by 1% out of four.

This is according to ForwardKeys, a travel market research, big data in tourism, and business intelligence firm, which analyzed the Caribbean’s top destinations by looking at international visitor arrivals during the first half of 2023 compared to 2019.

The data reveals promising growth across the region, with some countries and territories bouncing back in a big way, such as the Virgin Islands becoming the best-performing destination by achieving 23% more international arrivals.

The Turks and Caicos Islands with 19%, Saint Maarten with 14%, and Jamaica and Guadeloupe with 13%.

Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic figures an impressive 12% increase, Curaçao with 11%, and Martinique, Puerto Rico, and Aruba with 10% each.

However, the platform indicates that the islands would benefit even more if they had better connectivity.

“However, limited air capacity remains one of the main looming growth issues in some emerging markets in the Caribbean,” said Olivier Ponti, vice president of Insights at ForwardKeys.

“While avid U.S. travelers interested in enjoying the wonders of the Caribbean have a wide variety of flights from the continental U.S. to most Caribbean tourist spots, travelers from South America generally have to connect at regional hubs to reach their destination of choice,” he added.

He further said that “in this context, ForwardKeys has uncovered the growth of Panama City as a gateway to the Caribbean for travel from South America, while Miami, on the other hand, is losing market share,” according to a statement.

Boca Chica is predicted to receive more than half a million visitors during Easter

Fermín Brito, the mayor of Boca Chica, has predicted that over 500,000 visitors will be heading to the beaches of Guayacanes and Juan Dolio for Easter. In light of this, he has hired over a thousand personnel to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the area. However, due to the town’s population of 350,000 and a limited municipal budget, he has appealed to the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) for support.

Brito highlighted that the municipality also receives a floating population of over 100,000 each week. With a budget of only RD$12.5 million, this equates to just RD$36.79 per resident, making it impossible to provide quality services. Brito emphasized that Boca Chica needs support from Mitur, just like other tourist areas such as Guayacanes, Puerto Plata, Barahona, and Samaná.

Brito reminded the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, that Boca Chica’s beach is the most visited in the country and the town is the third in terms of private investment. He estimated that the town contributes significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) due to its large port, the Multimodal Caucedo, Las Américas airport, two free zones, and 26 baseball academies. Furthermore, the municipality has 5,000 rooms and 80 restaurants.

To address the issues of wastewater and beach regeneration, Brito demanded a large investment from Mitur. He explained that the existing treatment plant, built in 1985, is practically in disuse, with only 3% of the municipality connected to it. He urged the government to invest in the construction of a new sanitation project.

Some things to do this week—not the beach

Friday, 31 March marked the unofficial start of Easter Week or Holy Week. Easter Week is a Roman Catholic Church holiday, but it is also the time when most large cities seem to become abandoned as thousands head for the beaches or the mountains for an extended vacation.

Officially, the government has issued a memo to its employees that states that the holidays start at 4pm on Wednesday, 5 April 2023. However, most schools closed last Friday, 31 March and will not open until Tuesday, 11 April.

Diario Libre shred with its readers a few ideas of what to do, and perhaps avoid the truly scary traffic that is heading out of town (and which will return on Sunday!). One option is to resist the call to the beach and just stay at home. It will be peaceful, and the stores will be empty for the most part and you can probably get a small project finished.

You can also wake up late and enjoy the day. Another thing might be to visit that friend or family member you have been meaning to see. Maybe go have coffee and catch up on things.
Next, you might just go out and have fun.

Go dancing (you don’t have to get up early), have a few drinks with some friends, or take a short day trip (this avoids traffic).

For some, this is the time to renew your faith, and take part in the different church activities that remember and celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. This is not for everybody, but it is an option for all.

Finally, this might be the time to go out and eat at that place everyone is talking about or that you really enjoy when there are not so many people about. It can be an interesting week, fast or slow, but above all: safe.

El Nuevo Diario reports on the culinary traditions for Easter that reflect the Dominican Taino, African and Spanish heritage. This is the time to try the Easter tradition, “habichuelas con dulce.”

Read more in Spanish:
Diario Libre
El Nuevo Diario

3 April 2023

Dolores Vicioso

Guayacanes gets two vendor facilities on the beach

President Luis Abinader and Tourism Minister David Collado were in Guayacanes to visit the completed two vendor plazas on that beach. The government invested RD$143 million in the new installations.

President Abinader said that these are small works but of significant impact because they facilitate the work of small business people, many of which are women. He said tourists also receive better service at the new facilities.

The projects were designed and implemented by the Executing Committee for Infrastructure in Tourist Zones (CEIZTUR), of the Ministry of Tourism.

The wood stall structures enable better organization of the vendors. Landscaping works were carried out as well as road reconstruction at the popular beach coastal area.

The first project inaugurated by Minister Collado, the La Playita de Guayacanes vendor plaza, encompassed the beautification of the access to the project from Juan Dolio Boulevard, wide sidewalks, and a landscaped design along the entire length of the paved road in an area of 1,500 square meters of construction within a space of 3,900 square meters.

The new plaza in La Playita can house ten food sales modules with all their equipment. It also has space for restrooms, security area, lighting and signage, and had an investment of RD$81,283,776.77.

It also has a landscaping design along the entire length of the paved road,

A second Plaza de Vendedores in Playa Guayacanes cost of RD$61,915,194.15 and is set in three modules with 16 stores of 11 mts2 each.

Read more in Spanish:
Presidency
Listin Diario

28 March 2023

osep Borrell of EU congratulates President Abinader on 28th Iberoamerican Summit; invites President to summit in Brussels

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell congratulated President Luis Abinader on the success of the 28th Ibero-American Summit during a visit he made to the Presidential Palace to meet with the Dominican President. Borrell is also vice president of the European Commission.

Borrell valued the celebration in the country of the 28th Ibero-American Summit. He said the Dominican leadership marks the role of the country as a bridge between Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe.

He also stated that the Dominican Republic has political stability and economic progress, which means the country is an anchor of cooperation with the European continent.

Borrell made the remarks during the visit to President Luis Abinader at the Presidential Palace after his participation in the 28th Ibero-American Summit that ended on 25 March 2023 in Santo Domingo. Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez was present at the meeting.

Borrell also said he backs the Dominican Republic’s position on Haiti. “We know that they have a very complicated and difficult neighbor in permanent conflict and whatever initiative they take, we will support it; Haiti needs an international intervention to allow that people to get out of the dramatic situation in which they find themselves,” he said.

At the office of President Abinader, Borrell announced the European Union would add EUR13 million to back the transition of a green and more inclusive economy in the Dominican Republic. “I am pleased to announce that we are going to launch the new cooperation program with you, endowed with 13 million euros to promote a green economy for advances to climate transformations to pass all the requirements to increase agricultural exports from the point of view of pesticide control,” he said.

Borrell explained that the program is part of the Team Europe initiative in the Dominican Republic and that it will support the national framework for public finance management, as well as the competitiveness and sustainability of MSMEs, with particular attention to women and young people.

The European official invited President Abinader to the European Union and Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (EU-CELAC) Summit to be held in Brussels on 17-18 July 2023.

Borrell said that the EU-CELAC Summit will not occur without the presence of the Dominican President. “We are waiting for you; the Summit cannot be held without you,” he told President Abinader, as reported on the Dominican Presidency website.

“Our relationship with the European Union is very positive, and, being positive, I think that for both parties, we have to try to keep expanding. Thank you very much; we will be there in Brussels, together with other Latin American countries, to continue establishing this great alliance,” said President Abinader in response to the invitation.

President Abinader highlighted that Josep Borrell had an important participation with an encouraging speech at the 28th Ibero-American Summit. Abinader highlighted the significant role of Spain from the second half of the year when it assumes the presidency of the European Union and that the interest is that all Ibero-American countries can have greater relations in all aspects with the European Union.

The President thanked the high representative of the European Union for his participation in the 28th Summit and said during that meeting issues of great interest for the Dominican Republic and also of concern for the European Union were discussed, such as the case of the situation in Haiti.

Read more in Spanish:
Presidency

28 March 2023

US President Biden praises DR for anti-corruption in his speech at Summit for Democracy

US President Joe Biden praised the Dominican Republic for efforts to fight corruption. The remark was part of his keynote address at the Summit for Democracy 2023.

On Wednesday, 29 March 2023, the Summit for Democracy’s five co-hosts — the United States, Costa Rica, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, and Zambia — kicked off the summit, with each co-host leader hosting a live, fully virtual, thematic, leader-level plenary session.

US President Biden’s address was titled: United States: Advancing Technology for Democracy.

In his remarks, President Biden said that the Dominican Republic has modernized its legislation against corruption.

Diario Libre observes that President Biden could be referring to the passing of the Extinction of Domain Law during the Abinader administration. The newspaper also highlights the prosecuting of government officers for corruption in the courts.

Read more:
US State Department
Diario Libre

30 March 2023

How to manage your property in the Dominican Republic and relax

Foreigners with rental property investments in the Dominican Republic typically hire a rental management company to oversee their property. This is advisable, especially if you’re not living full-time in the Dominican Republic..

The management company will handle everything, including marketing, booking reservations, collecting rent, check-in and check-out, cleaning, and maintenance. The only thing you would do is collect your rental income.

A growing number of companies in the DR provide this type of service. Some real estate agencies may offer rental management. And, lately, more and more real estate developers are offering this service in-house for their residents.

For investors who own property in large hotel resort communities that are part of the rental program, the hotel operators will pass on guests to your residence if their hotels are overbooked.

The rental management fees range from 15% to 25% of the nightly rate. For example, if you were renting your unit out at $100 per night, you can expect to collect between $75 and $85 net.

Even if you are not planning to rent your property, you should have a property manager. Anything can happen to your property while you’re away. The roof could cave in, or the water heater could malfunction. You do not want to show up to a disaster after being away for a few months.

The property manager will check your home weekly to ensure the doors are locked and nothing is broken or damaged. They would handle pest control, cleaning, standard maintenance, repairs, and landscaping.

Buying real estate in the DR or anywhere outside your home country is a significant investment, and if you’re not there full-time, you should have a property manager looking after your asset.
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Maria Abreu is the CEO and Managing Attorney of Abreu & Associates, a law firm practicing exclusively in Dominican Republic Immigration and Nationality law. She is also the founder of Retire and Invest DR. This organization hosts conference events for foreigners interested in living, retiring, and investing in the DR. You can contact Maria at: mabreu@abreuimmigration.com.

Your new home awaits.