The largest local transport union, Conatra has announced it will be importing 1,000 of 28, 34 and 45 passenger buses from Vietnam. The transaction was for US$65 million, as reported in Diario Libre. He said that financing is with a Korean financial institution, as reported in Diario Libre. Marte said that they would be requesting from the government a special concession on the import tax to be paid on their vehicles as these are used for public transport.
Antonio Marte said that the vehicles would be sold to union members for RD$30,000 and RD$50,000 down payments and a below market annual 8.8% interest rate charge on the balance to be paid in monthly installments. Diario Libre had reported in September 2004 that Marte had traveled to Vietnam for the negotiations. Marte said that they expect to soon operate a vehicle assembly plant in the DR, which would be a Spanish and Korean investment.