According to El Caribe, the private sector will invest US$400 million in the renovation and expansion of the Port of Santo Domingo, a project that expects to reposition the city as a tourist destination. The promoter, Inversiones Turisticas Sans Souci, expects an influx of currency to the tune of US$20.5 million into the country as a result of this project during its first year; US$38.5 million the second year; US$88.1 million on the third; US$95.4 million on the fourth; and US$130.0 million yearly starting the fifth year. Promoters say that the project will generate over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs by the fifth year of its operation. The mega-project includes the construction of hotels, convention centers, real estate projects, a 500-yacht sports marina, as well as parks and walkways. Preliminary estimates indicate that the new port could receive between one and 1.5 million tourists per year. Lissandro Macarrulla, president of Inversiones Turisticas Sans Souci, stated that “the project intends to improve the international image of the city and the country and to exploit one of the greatest beauties of the colonial period and cultural heritage of mankind: the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo”.
Meanwhile, Diario Libre reports on protests from 600 former employees of the Dominican Port Authority who received their severance pay due to the closure of the Santo Domingo port, which will be transferred to Inversiones Turisticas Sans Souci today. Another 3.000 port workers demanded that the Port Authority ensure their jobs or give them their severance pay.