Government has granted loans in excess of RD$4.3 billion to young people for entrepreneurship

Santo Domingo.- Under the leadership of President Luis Abinader, the Dominican government, in collaboration with the Entrepreneurship Laboratory and the Fairs of the Ministry of Youth (MJ), has provided loans totaling more than RD$4.3 billion pesos to young people. This achievement marks a record in the creation and expansion of business ideas.

Benefitting a total of 51,784 young individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 across various provinces in the country, these loans were made possible through the National Council for the Promotion and Support of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (Promipyme). The Entrepreneurship and Policies Laboratory of the First Youth Employment, in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth’s Entrepreneurship and Youth Fair, facilitated the allocation of funds and acted as a platform for young entrepreneurs to access offerings from various banking institutions.

The financial support provided has led to the creation of 35,627 jobs and the strengthening of 222,671 existing positions. This has made a significant impact on the job market, with a total of 258,298 jobs being positively affected from August 16, 2020, to June 5, 2023.

Minister of Youth, Rafael Jesús Féliz García, expressed his gratitude to President Abinader, describing him as the primary ally of Dominican youth due to his unwavering support.

“President Abinader has gone above and beyond in supporting the youth of our country like never before. He is a president who defends and empathizes with the Dominican youth,” said Minister Féliz García.

The funds provided by Promipyme were disbursed to eligible applicants under the category of “entrepreneurship loans,” further demonstrating the government’s commitment to fostering youth entrepreneurship and economic growth in the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic and Cuba seal agreement to expand flights between the two countries

Santo Domingo.- José Marte Piantini, president of the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), and Armando Luis Daniel López, president of the Institute of Civil Aeronautics of Cuba (IACC), signed an agreement that will allow a greater flow of flights between the DR and Cuba.

The agreement was signed by Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, Minister of Transportation of the Republic of Cuba, and Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The document’s signing concludes the negotiations initiated through the Civil Aviation Board. It updates the agreement signed in Havana, Cuba, on December 9, 2005, with modifications to Article 3, which contains the provisions governing the designation and authorization of air operators between the two Caribbean territories.

At the beginning of the signing of the protocol, Marte Piantini indicated that the objective of updating the document signed 18 years ago was to increase the flow of passengers, commerce, connectivity, and, consequently, air transportation between the territories.

He added that “the signing of the agreement will generate benefits for air operators flying between Cuba and the Dominican Republic, two of the most important economies in the Caribbean, which now bring their commercial aviation relationship closer together.”

The JAC president stressed that the new document updates the commercial aviation relations between Cuba and the Dominican Republic, allowing multiple designations so that “all national airlines can operate air transport services of passengers, baggage, and cargo from the national territory to Cuba and vice versa.

The agreement between the two countries only allowed the designation of two airlines to each country, said José Marte Piantini, during the celebration of the Eleventh Meeting of Directors of Civil Aviation of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, an event organized by the ICAO Regional Office.

The official explained that “from the JAC, we continue working to realize the promise of the President of the Republic Luis Abinader, to turn the country into the hub of international air cargo with greater connection in the Caribbean through the updating of air services agreements and the negotiation of new agreements.”

At the meeting, the aeronautical authorities also proceeded to sign meeting minutes to analyze the capacity of air services between both States, the market’s current needs, and to increase the number of flights between both territories.

About frequencies, the document establishes the commitment to develop unlimited frequencies for the operation of air services in the routes contemplated in the annex of the agreement.

It also stated that, in the case of Havana’s José Martí International Airport, Dominican Airlines would be able to increase their frequencies to that destination.

Dominican-Cuban connectivity
According to information provided by the Statistics Division of the Air Transport Department of the JAC, it is projected that by the end of this year, 36 thousand passengers will be transported through the airport terminals, representing an increase of 32% compared to 2022.

Marte Piantini emphasized that “Cuba is the seventh most active Caribbean market for the Dominican Republic in terms of passenger transportation among the connections in the Caribbean.”

He pointed out that in the first five months of 2023, 11,000 passengers have been transported on commercial flights to and from Cuba.

136 flight operations scheduled at Las Americas this Friday

Santo Domingo.- The influx of domestic and foreign passengers leaving and entering the country has increased considerably in the last few days due to the summer season when hundreds of families leave the country for trips abroad after the end of the school and university term in the country.

According to the data, more than 50% of the visitors are departing and arriving from cities in the United States, such as New York, Miami, Florida, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Boston, New Jersey, and other U.S. states.

Passengers are also arriving and departing on flights from cities in Europe, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Canada and from South and Central America and the Caribbean.

In that order, the Department of Flight Operations of Aeropuertos Dominicanos XXI (Aerodom) reported that 136 flights were scheduled to operate this Friday, 76 of them arriving from abroad through Las Americas International Airport and 60 departing to these different destinations.

Meanwhile, Air Europa, Iberia, Condor, JetBlue, American Airlines, United Airlines, Copa, and Delta, among others, are arriving full of passengers who have the Dominican Republic as the preferred country to enjoy the rest period.

According to preliminary data, the leading airlines that operate regular and additional flights to and from the Dominican Republic maintain an occupancy factor between 90 and 95% of their seats for the current summer vacation season.

It was also observed that the flights arriving and departing the country this Friday are leaving with a considerable occupancy factor, mainly those coming from cities in the United States and the European continent.

Meanwhile, at the airport, in front of the airline counters, a considerable number of people were waiting in line to make their reservations for scheduled flights.

Meanwhile, the institutions that offer services to travelers in the terminal, such as the personnel of the General Directorate of Immigration and Customs, set up unique tables for the quick check of tourists, among which there are entire families, especially French and Spanish.

Vacationers are heading to Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, La Romana, Punta Cana, Bavaro, and other tourist areas, as confirmed by the representatives of the operating and hotel companies, where more than 80% of the tourists will stay.

Clinic for North American veterans opens in Bávaro – Punta Cana

Bávaro, Punta Cana.- Retired veterans of the United States Armed Forces who visit the Bávaro-Punta Cana area have an outpatient clinic at their service.

With the objective of improving their health and well-being, and honoring their sacrifices, the Veterans Community Care Abroad clinic was inaugurated on Avenida España, Corner Plaza, Bávaro.

Alfredo Cordero, retired Army captain and clinic executive, explained that this center is at the service of veterans who served the US for more than 120 days and who reside in the Dominican Republic, however, they are ready to receive active or retired Dominican soldiers, as well as other members of the local community on specific days.

Medical services are free of charge, as they are managed through a program of the US Armed Forces.

The clinic is an outpatient clinic that goes from an initial intervention with a general practitioner who deduces what conditions veterans suffer from, which have been produced or aggravated during military service.

General medicine, psychology, and rehabilitation of physical therapies are offered, as well as therapeutic and relaxing massages, psychiatry, and orthopedics, among other services.

Opening hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Phone: (809) 795-1198
WA: (809) 841-1198
Website: www.vccavet.com

The Dominican Republic registers the highest energy demand in its history

Santo Domingo.- Homero Figueroa, the spokesman, and director of Strategy and Communication of the Presidency, took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce a major milestone in the country’s electricity sector. He revealed that the sector had witnessed the highest demand in its history the previous night, with a total of 3,430.42 MW served. This achievement demonstrates the remarkable response capacity of the national electrical system.

Figueroa expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Today, more energy is generated and supplied than ever before.” He emphasized the growth and strength of the country’s energy sector, which has played a pivotal role in meeting the increasing demand for electricity.

Furthermore, Figueroa highlighted that the national electricity system currently supplies an average of 98% of the daily electricity demand. This level of supply exceeds the performance of previous years when the average energy supply did not surpass 85% between 2004 and 2019.

These statistics underscore the significant progress made in the country’s power generation and supply capacity. The rise in energy demand serves as an indicator of growth and development, while the ability of the electricity system to meet this demand reflects its robustness and efficiency.

Concluding his announcement, the spokesman for the Presidency assured that the country’s electricity sector is now stronger than ever and well-prepared to tackle future challenges that may arise.

Mitur: investments in real estate tourism amount to US$10.7 billion

Santo Domingo.- Investments in tourist constructions in the Dominican Republic have reached a total of $10.799 billion, with real estate projects leading the way, according to Jacqueline Mora, the Vice Minister of Tourism. So far, the Tourism Development Council (Confotur) has approved 187 investment projects in the country.

During a speech at the second Expo Forum of Culture, Strategies, Business, and Innovation (CENI) in Santiago, Mora highlighted that real estate investment tops the list with $4.527 billion, followed by the hotel sector with $4.444 billion, and infrastructure in third place with $756 million.

Mora further explained that the accumulated foreign direct investment in the tourism and real estate sectors accounted for 37% of the total accumulated foreign investment in 2022, amounting to $13.144 billion.

Analyzing these figures and other indicators, Mora emphasized the need to continue promoting the tourism and construction sectors, as they represent the future of the country and are vital for its development. She noted that construction plays a crucial role in supporting tourism infrastructure and acknowledged the pioneering role of Ciudad Corazón (Santiago) in real estate tourism.

Mora also took the opportunity to highlight the achievements of the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) during the three years of the current government’s management.

Puerto Plata, magnet for cruises: will receive 30 vessels in July

Puerto Plata.- Puerto Plata is set to welcome a total of 30 cruise ships during the month of July. The arrivals will take place through the Amber Cove and Taino Bay tourist ports, as indicated by Atahualpa Paulino, the northern regional director of tourism.

Out of the 30 ships scheduled to arrive, 16 will dock at the Amber Cove Port, which is owned by the Carnival Corporation. The remaining 14 ships will arrive through the Taino Bay Port, which belongs to the ITM Group.

Despite being in the low season for the cruise tourism sector in the Caribbean, Puerto Plata continues to attract a significant number of cruise ships. This demonstrates the destination’s appeal and popularity among cruise lines.

Dominican Republic breaks record of passengers by air in the first 5 months of the year

Santo Domingo.- The Civil Aviation Board (JAC) announced on Tuesday that the Dominican Republic has achieved a significant milestone in air transportation. Between January and May of this year, a record-breaking 7,180,905 passengers were transported to and from the country. This figure represents a remarkable 17% growth compared to the same period last year.

José Marte Piantini, the president of the JAC, expressed his satisfaction with the progress and stated that air transport in the country has experienced rapid development since August 2020, becoming the growth leader in the region. He also mentioned that the government’s implemented policies, under the Civil Aviation Board, have played a crucial role in establishing air transport as a competitive sector. These policies include a comprehensive set of measures aimed at increasing traveler flows to and from the country.

Piantini further revealed that the Punta Cana Airport has been the busiest, serving as a gateway for 4,069,335 passengers during the first five months of 2023. Las Américas Airport follows closely behind with 2,062,795 passengers. These two airports alone account for 83% of the total passenger traffic in and out of the country. The Cibao Airport transported 772,692 passengers, while the Puerto Plata Airport served 362,421 passengers during the same period.

Emphasizing the commitment to improving air connectivity, Piantini mentioned the collaborative efforts of the JAC with other institutions in the sector. One notable achievement is the recent agreement signed with Cuba, enabling additional Dominican airlines to enter the Cuban market, which was previously limited to only two operators.

The strategic approach of the JAC has resulted in the establishment of new airlines, the introduction of new routes, and the formation of new agreements. Consequently, more travelers are choosing the Dominican Republic as their preferred destination. Piantini expressed optimism, stating that the country aims to surpass the milestone of 17 million passengers transported through its airport terminals by the end of this year.

Dominican Republic wins award as best tourist destination in the Caribbean

Philadelphia, United States.– Tourism Minister David Collado received here Wednesday an award recognizing the Dominican Republic as the Best Caribbean Island as a tourist destination.

The prestigious recognition was announced at the Leisure Lifestyle Awards by U.S.-based travel magazine Global Traveler.

Minister Collado expressed his gratitude for the award, which has been given to the Dominican Republic for the past three years.

“This new award belongs to all the people who every day welcome tourists with their smile and unique kindness, my people of the Dominican Republic,” Collado emphasized.

This award from Leisure Lifestyle Awards adds to the string of recognition the country has received for its overwhelming tourism success story over the past three years.

Among these recognitions, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) declared the Dominican Republic as the first country in the world to achieve full recovery after the pandemic.

More than 600,000 tourists use the Uber app in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- The Uber platform has become a popular choice for tourists visiting the Dominican Republic, offering convenient transportation options and access to a diverse range of services. Since its introduction in the country, over 600,000 tourists have utilized Uber for their transportation needs, covering a total distance of more than 43 million kilometers. Additionally, through the Uber Eats app, approximately 119,000 tourists have placed over 900,000 food orders.

Carolina Coto, Uber’s Communications Manager for Central America and the Caribbean, expressed the company’s commitment to promoting tourism in the Dominican Republic and providing accessible solutions for both locals and visitors. Uber aims to enhance vacation experiences by revolutionizing transportation and catering to the daily needs of users and businesses.

Uber has become an integral part of the tourism landscape in the Dominican Republic. Notably, more than 900,000 trips have been taken by tourists to and from Las Américas International Airport. The platform is particularly popular among visitors from the United States, Colombia, Mexico, Canada, and Brazil, who also account for the highest number of orders through the Uber Eats app.

Among the top destinations frequented by tourists are Multicentro Churchill, the Colonial Zone, and the Sheraton Santo Domingo Hotel. The positive experience of tourists is evident as 94% of drivers have given them a 5-star rating during their trips.

Tourism, among the sectors that grew the most between January-May in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Ministry of Economy has reported an increase in tourism, trade, and agricultural exports in the country during the period of January to May, highlighting the positive performance of these sectors so far this year.

In May, the tourism sector showed positive data with 518,932 non-resident foreigners arriving in the country, representing a 14.5% increase compared to the same month of the previous year. The total number of visitors for the year reached 2.8 million, marking a 20.3% year-on-year variation.

Agricultural exports also experienced growth, reaching $93.9 million in May, a 16.1% increase compared to the previous year. The total agricultural exports for the year amounted to $358 million, with a 3.5% year-on-year variation. This growth can be attributed to increased exports of cocoa beans to Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as preserved fruits to the Netherlands.

The report also indicates that there were 2,282,972 active workers in the Dominican Social Security System (SDSS) in May, reflecting a cumulative growth of 0.6% compared to December 2022. In addition, formal job registrations increased by 0.5% in May compared to December.

These positive indicators reflect the resilience and performance of the Dominican Republic’s economy in key sectors such as tourism, trade, and agriculture.

Industries contribute 58.5% to economic growth in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic experienced significant economic growth between 2021 and 2022, with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs (MICM) playing a leading role in driving this expansion.

According to a study conducted by macroeconomics expert Magín J. Díaz and presented by the MICM, sectors such as free zones, local manufacturing, commerce, construction, transportation, storage, and other services contributed 58.5% to the overall economic growth during the mentioned period.

The study analyzed the contribution of MICM-related activities to the Dominican economy based on available statistics, focusing on five pillars: economic growth, foreign currency generation, labor market, contribution to the treasury, and productive chains.

Díaz highlighted the significant impact of these sectors on the economy, stating, “They were the sectors that fueled 60% of the economy. Not many sectors have exceeded their pre-COVID trends, with free zones being the most prominent, exceeding their trend by 10%.”

Magín Díaz presented these findings at an event commemorating the 57th anniversary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs. He pointed out that positive developments in foreign exchange-generating activities, including foreign direct investment and remittances, have contributed to exchange rate stability and bolstered the country’s gross international reserves, which represented 12.7% of GDP by the end of 2022, surpassing the International Monetary Fund’s recommended threshold of 10% of GDP.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs, Víctor “Ito” Bisonó, shared insights from the study, stating that the economic sectors within the MICM’s scope accounted for two-thirds of total sales in the economy and over 60% of market production. He emphasized that these sectors contributed nearly 60% of the accumulated GDP growth between 2021 and 2022. Notably, the manufacturing industry in free zones exhibited a GDP growth rate 10% higher than its pre-pandemic trend.

Bisonó further highlighted the role of foreign direct investment in the Dominican Republic’s economic recovery, noting that almost 40% of the FDI received by the country during 2021-2022 was directed toward sectors under the MICM’s purview. Additionally, these sectors accounted for approximately 80% of the country’s goods exports during the same period.

The Dominican Republic surpasses Brazil and Argentina in capturing income from tourism

Santo Domingo.- In 2022, the Dominican Republic achieved an impressive milestone by surpassing the economies of countries twice its size. It emerged as the third highest earner of foreign currency through tourism, outperforming Brazil by nearly 50% and Argentina by over 130%. It even exceeded the combined tourism revenues of five Central American countries.

Andrés Marranzini, the executive vice president of the Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores), attributes this achievement to the country’s diverse tourist offerings. Each day, the Dominican Republic is expanding its range of hotels and introducing new activities such as horseback riding in the ocean or golf courses.

“As a sector, we have been working hard in recent years to increase the daily expenditure of each tourist. One way to accomplish this is by incorporating additional activities and services within the tourist destinations. This provides visitors with more opportunities to spend money and enhances their overall experience within the tourism ecosystem,” explained Marranzini.

He emphasized that the strategy is focused on elevating the quality of the tourist destinations. This is being accomplished through investments in hotels, as reported by El Dinero, ensuring that continuous improvements are made to meet the evolving demands and expectations of travelers.

Dominican Republic wins award as best tourist destination in the Caribbean

Philadelphia, United States.– Tourism Minister David Collado received here Wednesday an award recognizing the Dominican Republic as the Best Caribbean Island as a tourist destination.

The prestigious recognition was announced at the Leisure Lifestyle Awards by U.S.-based travel magazine Global Traveler.

Minister Collado expressed his gratitude for the award, which has been given to the Dominican Republic for the past three years.

“This new award belongs to all the people who every day welcome tourists with their smile and unique kindness, my people of the Dominican Republic,” Collado emphasized.

This award from Leisure Lifestyle Awards adds to the string of recognition the country has received for its overwhelming tourism success story over the past three years.

Among these recognitions, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) declared the Dominican Republic as the first country in the world to achieve full recovery after the pandemic.

Dominican Government signs agreement with Israel for Water Management Master Plan

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader led the signing of an agreement on Monday for the development of a Water Management Master Plan in the Dominican Republic. The plan aims to enable the efficient and effective management of water resources, creating conditions for long-term sustainability. The agreement was signed by the executive director of the National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewerage (Inapa), Wellington Arnaud, and the president of the Israeli state institution Mekorot, Yitzhak Aharonovitch.

President Abinader highlighted Israel’s expertise in water management and expressed the government’s intention to learn from best practices around the world and apply them to the national reality. He emphasized the importance of the agreement in conserving and maximizing water efficiency, stating that it strengthens the government’s commitment to the National Pact for Water and its priority of providing efficient and quality water services to every Dominican home.

The President acknowledged that water management is a significant challenge, particularly in the face of climate change and drought conditions. He emphasized the need for collective action and urged the public to recognize the water crisis and act accordingly. The agreement not only supports the guidelines of Inapa but also integrates with the broader Water Pact, enabling the application of the plan’s recommendations across the country.

President Abinader expressed gratitude to the Israeli government for their collaboration and emphasized the friendly relations between the two countries in addressing shared challenges. He reiterated his government’s commitment to improving the quality of life by prioritizing water as a fundamental objective, allocating a significantly increased budget, and undertaking substantial efforts to mitigate the impact of droughts.

Bahia Principe: Samaná and La Romana, destinations with the highest demand for summer

Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts has reported that its lodging establishments in Spain are currently experiencing an average occupancy rate of 91%, while worldwide, the average occupancy stands at 81%. This surge in demand over the past few months has resulted in an 8% increase in sales compared to last year for the Spanish market and a 6% increase for the global market within the hotel division of Grupo Piñero.

Tenerife is identified as the most in-demand destination in Spain, while the Dominican Republic takes the top spot globally. Specifically, the regions of Samaná and La Romana in the Dominican Republic have shown the most significant growth compared to 2022, attributed to the increased number of Soltour flights.

Lluisa Salord, the corporate commercial director of Grupo Piñero, believes that these figures reflect the positive state of Spanish tourism and the consistent demand from both domestic and international travelers, despite the context of inflation.

The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France have shown the highest growth as source markets for Spain, with the UK being the leading exporter of tourists. On a global scale, the United States, Europe, and Canada are the standout markets contributing to the growth.

Assessing the impact of cruises in Puerto Plata: Tourism Cluster and University collaborate

The Tourism Cluster of the Puerto Plata Destination (CTDPP) partnered with the School of Gastronomy and Tourism of the Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) to present an analysis of the socioeconomic impact of cruises in the city of Puerto Plata. The analysis was based on feedback from visitors surveyed at the ports of Amber Cove and Taino Bay.

The initiative is part of the CTDPP’s efforts to develop a market intelligence system that collects and analyzes data and statistics in a systematic, objective, and transparent manner. This enables a better understanding of the tourism sector’s behavior, different niches, and trends, facilitating appropriate strategic planning for the destination’s harmonious development.

The meeting took place at the Chamber of Commerce and Production of Puerto Plata, where Juan Pablo González, the technical director of the institution, described the initiative as highly positive. It aligns with the Chamber of Commerce’s objective of assessing how cruise activity benefits local businesses and service providers.

Birgitt Heinsen, the president of the CTDPP, emphasized the importance of having a data platform that provides a better perspective and direction for improving the quality and performance of the destination. She expressed gratitude to PUCMM for their involvement, as well as the support from Amber Cove and Taíno Bay ports, the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), the Chamber of Commerce, and all other stakeholders who have shown receptiveness to the project.

Ambra Attus, the executive director of the Cluster, explained that the presentation aims to establish a tool for continuous use rather than presenting definitive data. This tool is crucial for understanding the needs and opportunities related to visitor experiences and achieving better destination management.

Ina Percival, the director of the University’s School of Tourism and Gastronomy, emphasized the significance of involving students and teachers in this type of research. Their participation fosters transparency and collaboration between academia and the tourism sector, marking a significant step forward.

Dominican Republic chosen as host for 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic has been selected by the FIFA Council as the host country for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. This historic decision marks the first time the Dominican Republic will host a World Cup event and the second time a Caribbean nation has been chosen as a host.

In addition to the Dominican Republic, the FIFA Council also designated other host countries for upcoming tournaments. Indonesia will host the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2023™, Colombia will host the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2024, and Uzbekistan will host the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

FIFA has stated that the schedule for these competitions will be confirmed at a later date.

Rubén García, the president of the Dominican Football Federation, expressed his delight with the country being chosen to host the U-17 Women’s World Cup, emphasizing the significance of this opportunity for the Dominican Republic.

Government will allocate more than RD$1 billion to strengthen hospital supplies

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Government, through the Essential Medicines and Logistics Support Central Program (Promese/Cal), has allocated a budget of 1,098,585,524.70 for the purchase of medicines and health supplies. This initiative aims to strengthen the supply of hospitals and public health centers across the country from August to December 2023.

Promese/Cal conducted a transparent and compliant process for the National Public Tender reference: PROMESE/CAL-CCC-LPN-2023-0002, in accordance with the Law on Public Purchases and Contracts 340-06.

Adolfo Pérez, the general director of Promese/Cal, explained that the purchase aims to ensure that essential medicines are readily available to the population attending public health centers in a timely manner. This extraordinary purchase was made possible by the government’s increased allocation to Promese/Cal in the 2023 budget, reflecting President Luis Abinader’s commitment to safeguarding the health of the Dominican people.

Omar García, the director of medicines at the Health Service (SNS), praised the transparency demonstrated by Promese/Cal in its procurement processes. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between the SNS, led by Dr. Mario Lama, Promese/Cal, and the Treasury to increase the budget for purchasing more medicines and supplies. This adjustment will help meet the needs of hospitals and primary care centers.

The tender included 361 items, such as vitamins, anticonvulsants, neuroleptics, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, anti-inflammatories, antihistamines, anthelmintics, antidiabetics, antimicrobials, inhibitors, erythropoietin, insulin, spinal needles, serum downpipes, cannulas, catheters, syringes, and others.

Seventy bidders participated in the highly competitive process, with 1,206 product samples received. Of these, 889 were deemed compliant, while 309 were non-compliant. Some lines were left empty due to non-submission of samples, non-compliance with requirements, or disqualification.

The event was conducted publicly at a hotel in the capital and broadcast virtually. It was attended by public notaries, bidders, a Compliance Officer from the Public Procurement Department, the Promese/Cal purchasing committee, and members of the media.

The indirect incidence of storm Bret would begin to be felt in the Dominican Republic on Friday

The National Meteorological Office (Onamet) has provided an update on tropical storm Bret, which is currently located approximately 1,000 km east of the Windward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. The storm is moving west at a speed of about 26 kilometers per hour, with maximum winds reaching 95 km/h and higher gusts.

Onamet advises the various civil protection institutions and the general population to stay informed by following the bulletins issued by the National Forecast Center.

Starting on Friday, the indirect influence of Bret’s circulation will begin to impact the Dominican Republic. Changes in wind direction to the northeast will be observed, accompanied by a slight increase in wind speed. This will result in scattered showers and thunderstorms across various regions including the northeast, southeast (including Greater Santo Domingo), southwest, and the Central Cordillera in the afternoon. These showers will continue intermittently into the night and early morning hours of Saturday.

For Wednesday, June 21, temporary showers are expected along the south coast in the early hours of the day, specifically in provinces such as Peravia, Azua, and Barahona. These showers will dissipate as the morning progresses.

In the afternoon, the country will experience scattered clouds and mostly clear skies. Isolated downpours and possible thunderstorms are anticipated in the northwest, northeast, and central mountain range, affecting provinces such as Santiago Rodríguez, Elías Piña, Dajabón, Santiago, La Vega, Monseñor Nouel, Monte Plata, and Hato Mayor. During the night, a tropical wave will bring slightly increased moisture, leading to scattered showers in eastern parts of the country, along the Caribbean coast, and the Central Cordillera.

On Thursday, June 22, the available humidity in the air mass, combined with the passage of a tropical wave south of the country, will likely result in some morning downpours along the Caribbean coast. In the afternoon, with the effects of the daytime cycle, scattered downpours, and isolated thunderstorms are expected in provinces of the northeast, southeast, central mountain range, and the border area until the early hours of the night.

Onamet is also monitoring another tropical wave located southwest of the Cape Verde Islands. This wave has a high potential (around 70%) of reaching tropical cyclone status within the next 48 hours. However, its current position and projected path do not pose any threat to the Dominican Republic at this time.