Prime Minister signs new agreements
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chr?tien welcomed the signing of seven new agreements between Canadian institutions and their Dominican counterparts. The agreements focus on cooperation in trade, power generation, renewable energy and transportation. Chr?tien and President Mej?a signed the agreements during the official part of an 11-day work-vacation visit of the Canadian head of government to the DR.
The list of agreements are:
Memorandum of Understanding: Renewable Energy Power Project development
Acres International Ltd./MAK Alliances and Monte Rio S.A./Indescorp S.A. signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a 20- to 25-megawatt renewable energy power generation plant. Suitable sites for wind turbines in the northwest (Puerto Plata area) and the southwest (Barahona to Haiti border area), as well as other technologies, such as solar and bio-mass to be investigated. The project?s value is estimated between US$25-35 million, depending on the final configuration of technologies.
Memorandum of Understanding: Feasibility Study for the Yasica Hydroelectric Project development. CCC, the Canadian Commercial Corporation, and the Dominican Electricity Corporation (CDE) signed a memorandum of understanding to study the development of a 17-megawatt hydroelectric power plant to increase the power supply of the Y?sica region, located in the northern part of the country. The work will be carried out by AMEC Inc. The total project value is estimated at up to US$35 million.
Contract for the Rehabilitation of the Guajim?a Canal Project
CCC and the Santo Domingo Water and Sewage Authority (CAASD) signed a contract to provide management services on a project to build sewage drains, sanitary sewer lines, a waste-water treatment plant, approximately 2,500 homes and ten kilometers of green space, and reconstruct seven kilometers of roads. The work will be undertaken by Montreal-based Dessau-Soprin at an estimated total project value of up to US$80 million.
Agreement on the Framework for Finance and Execution of the R?o Haina Potable Water Project
CCC and CAASD signed a design-build contract for the R?o Haina Potable Water Project, which includes a water treatment plant, an aqueduct system and a hydroelectric plant. The work is to be undertaken by the Montreal-based company SNC-Lavalin. Tecsult International Ltd. has been selected as the owner’s engineer to oversee the feasibility study and the work. The total value of the project is estimated at up to US$150 million.
Memorandum of Understanding: Modernization of the Dominican Republic Postal Service
Canada Post International Ltd. and the Dominican Republic Postal Service (INPOSDOM) signed a memorandum of understanding to modernize and reform the postal sector in the Dominican Republic. As a first step, the parties will develop a feasibility study plan.
Delivery of Mining Permit for the Cerro de Maim?n Deposit development
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce signed a mining permit, allowing Toronto-based GlobeStar Mining Corporation to mine the Cerro de Maim?n gold and copper deposits, subject to compliance with an environmental impact study. The mine is expected to provide in excess of US$350 million in metals over its span. This is the first metals mine to open in the Dominican Republic since Falconbridge’s Falcondo nickel mine 32 years ago.
Memorandum of Understanding: Feasibility Study Conclusion for the Bypass Expressway Project
Montreal-based Tecsult International Ltd. and the Municipality of Santiago signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct a feasibility study for a four-lane, 25-kilometer bypass expressway around the city of Santiago. This project is headed by the MAP Consortium, comprising one US and two Dominican companies.