According to Executive Branch economic adviser Julio Ortega Tous, the DR will save US$973 million during the remainder of this year and 2006 due to the deferred payment of interests and capital agreed in the re-programming of its foreign debt. Hoy reports that during an interview at his Presidential Palace office, the official said the amount includes the re-structuring of debt with the bondholders and the international private banks, as well as the debt pending with the Paris Club countries. The re-programming with the bondholders has produced short-term relief in the service of the external debt because 50% of the interest due this and next year can now be capitalized. Ortega said that US$200 million has just been re-programmed with the international private banks. This is the equivalent of 100% of the payments due to banks that are not guaranteed by official export agencies and that were due in 2005 and 2006.