US Ambassador James Brewster met with the Puerto Plata Tourism and Cultural Cluster on Wednesday, 15 October 2014 to discuss initiatives to promote sustainable tourism in the north of the country. This was the US Ambassador’s first visit to Puerto Plata. He also met with US expats living in the area.
Cluster president Maximo Iglesias, executive director Jakaira Cid and other members of the Puerto Plata Cluster received Ambassador Brewster.
The ambassador was visiting as part of the US Embassy’s bid to promote trade, and boost local competitiveness and foreign investment. The Embassy highlighted the support for establishing strategic business alliances that may result in job creation and economic dynamism in the northern region.
In a press release, the US Embassy assessed US investments in the province as positive, mentioning Ocean World and the current construction of the Maimon port for Carnival Cruises.
“It is a priority of the government of the United States and our embassy to contribute to our efforts of the Dominican government and the private sector to promote policies that enhance the competitiveness of Dominican enterprises, promote environmental conservation as a driver of sustainable tourism, to increase citizen security, reduce poverty and, above all, ensure social inclusion”, said Ambassador Brewster at the end of the meeting.
Ambassador Brewster also visited the Renacer Evangelical Church Community Center in the Padre Granero neighborhood to watch vocational training by Alerta Joven/Grupo Clara program that is backed by a USAID donation.
http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov/pr-141015.html
http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov/pr-141016.html