The DR and Mexico have agreed to strengthen their bilateral economic, trade and investment ties, with a particular emphasis in the energy, tourism and air transport sectors. That is the announced outcome of the Second Meeting of the Dominican-Mexican Bilateral Commission recently concluded in Mexico City. The Commission was created by the two countries last June with a view to strengthening ties between the two countries through regular dialogue. This second meeting of the Commission was headed by DR Foreign Minister Eduardo Latorre and Mexican Foreign Minister Rosario Green. Among the agreements signed were new cooperation agreements on agriculture, health and social security, as well as information exchanges on phytosanitary regulations and on agricultural research and training programs in the education area. An agreement was also reached on information exchange regarding drug trafficking and related subjects like organized crime, money laundering and illegal arms shipments. The Dominican delegation also delivered new proposals for projects to be funded under the San Jos? Agreement. Under the Agreement, the DR buys oil from Mexico at full market price, but 20% of the bill is to be plowed back into investment projects in the DR that include participation by Mexican firms. Among the Dominican proposals is to create a special Investment Fund using Agreement money that would target tourism projects in the DR.
