The Inter-American Development Bank has asked the electricity distributors of the Dominican Republic (Edes) to achieve a collection rate of at least 70% as part of the requirements of its plan aimed at assisting the sector. The local IDB representative, Moises Pineda told Listin Diario reporters that if the Edes can achieve this level of collection, they could recover their losses within a year and a half, which has happened in other Latin American countries. While Pineda criticized the theft of electricity as a serious problem, adding that the lack of service from the government was just as important. He outlined a plan that would bring about a marked improvement within the sector in two years. He said that current collection rates are hovering around 50% and this was not sustainable for the sector. Together with the increased collection rates, the IDB want the Dominican government to eliminate US$500 million in debts that are hanging over the electricity sector. Last Monday, Radhames Segura told reporters that the demands being made by the IDB, in advance of the disbursement of the US$150 million loan, were not reasonable under the current conditions.