The President of the American Chamber of Commerce, banker Andrés Aybar suggested yesterday that the state negotiate foreign debt treatment for the estimated US$120 million owed private power generators. He said this way, the state could have a clean slate and make monthly payments. At the present time, the accumulated debt is a heavy burden on the state especially because high interest rates are applied by the generators. Aybar, spoke to journalists at El Siglo newspaper. William Malamud, executive vice president of the Chamber, accompanied him to the interview. Aybar commented there is a positive investment climate with the United States, which accounts for 25% of foreign investments in the DR. He said prospects are good for investments to continue to increase. "The figures indicate all is well, and that trade with the US is growing. This trend will surely continue with the present government," he forecast. He said that the Dominican Republic is the United States’ leading trading partner in the Caribbean, seventh in the Western Hemisphere and 30th in the world.
