Discipline is essential if confidence is to be restored, says Marco Mantovanelli, the World Bank’s representative in the Dominican Republic. The bank is currently studying a strategy for supporting the DR for 2004, in order to mitigate the social impact of the current economic crisis. Interviewed in Diario Libre, Mantovanelli explained that the World Bank was viewing the situation with particular concern, since the collapse of Baninter in 2003 propelled them to redesign their assistance strategy for the DR. The new plan will work in coordination with the IMF and IDB programs, and will include a disbursement of US$100 million for social programs and US$20 million towards strengthening the electricity sector. If these funds are seen to be used responsibly and efficiently, said Mantovanelli, there is the possibility of an additional US$150 million for the power sector, but other conditions are attached to this as part of a process of dialogue with the National Energy Committee (CNE). “The electrical problem is unresolved. The only solution we see is a national agreement in which the public as well as the private sector and consumers define the direction the sector has to take in order to come out of the crisis. In the short-term we are thinking in terms of support for the regulatory framework. In the medium- and long-terms we are looking at such an agreement. I think there is goodwill on the part of all private sector players.” Mantovanelli also explained how the World Bank monitors the use of its resources and said that the crisis in the country had to be confronted “with all the possible seriousness and attention.” He accepted that there were some important external factors, such as the crisis in international markets, but that “it has been strongly accelerated by the financial and banking crisis.” He said that although the economy had “some solid elements,” an implemented agreement with the IMF was essential, especially if economic management was to be more disciplined and restore confidence. “The crisis of confidence is further worsening the situation.” The interview ends on an optimistic note: “The message is that we can emerge from the crisis, but it needs attention, discipline and the restoration of confidence levels.”