Frank Rainieri told reporters yesterday that the hotel and business communities of the East Coast would defray 50 percent of the cost for the construction of the Coral Highway. The president of the Punta Cana Group estimated that the investment could reach between RD$450 and $500 million and that this is ?nothing? compared to what this region produces every year. According to Rainieri, tourism alone generates RD$1.5 billion a year for the government. Interviewed after the monthly luncheon of the American Chamber of Commerce, Rainieri said that the business community of the eastern part of the country is joining forces with President Mejia to complete the highway that will join Higuey, Punta Cana, Cortecito and the areas near Uvero Alto. The pledged contribution will be deducted from the businesses? taxes and the government commits to put up the other 50 percent. During his visit to Higuey, President Mejia had warned that his government could not undertake the construction of the Coral Highway on its own, and that if the hotel owners wanted to have the roadway, they would have to participate in the investment.
