The United Kingdom has signed an agreement with the Dominican Republic to increase investments in water, public health, transportation, energy and security projects. The credits will be provided through the UK Export Credit Guarantee Department operating as UK Export Finance (UKEF).
Signing the Memorandum of Understanding were Minister of the Presidency Joel Santos Echavarría and the UK’s Her Majesty’s Secretary of State, Vomic Shah.
Also attending were the ministers of Defense, Agriculture, Public Health, Energy and Mines and UK Ambassador Mockbul Ali.
The Memorandum of Understanding establishes the preliminary parameters of future cooperation between the two countries, including the creation of trade links and the facilitation of financial support.
The official said that international collaboration and on this occasion the relationship with the United Kingdom is another example of how the Dominican Republic can strategically strengthen infrastructure and social aspects, which are two main objectives of the government plan of President Luis Abinader.
In addition, he valued the increase of the line of credit by the UK government, after indicating that it is due to the trust and bilateral relations between the two nations that date back to the 19th Century and that are getting stronger every day.
There will also be UK support for the National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewerage (INAPA), the Santo Domingo Aqueduct and Sewerage Corporation (CAASD), the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (Indrhi) and the Metropolitan Office of Bus Services (OMSA).
The projects include:
INAPA execution of eight development projects, such as the Universal Sanitation of Tourist and Coastal Cities and the construction of the Eastern Region Multiple Aqueduct.
CAASD will carry out a Social Impact Study, Sanitation and Canalization of wastewater from the 92 gullies of the neighborhoods of Greater Santo Domingo, and the design of the proposal for solid waste management in impacted communities and the design of wastewater from the gullies of Greater Santo Domingo.
The Minister of the Presidency explained that the agreement contains 15 development projects scheduled to begin to be implemented in 2024.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is a follow up of a meeting held on 6 June 2023 between President Abinader and UK Ambassdaor Mockbul Ali. At the time it was reported that the UK extended the line of credit to 4 billion pounds.
“Today, 16 days later, we are meeting again to sign this Memorandum of Understanding, which will give the Dominican Republic access to resources for the execution of strategic infrastructure projects in the water, public health, transportation, energy and security sectors,” he said.
Speaking for the UK Export Finance (UKEF), Vomic Shah reiterated the commitment to be the Dominican Republic’s partner of choice and to work to bring transformative change to the country.
The UK Export Finance (UKEF) Head of Origination said that the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is a great example of what both countries can achieve together and will manifest itself in the growth of bilateral relations between the UK and the Dominican Republic.
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Listin Diario
26 June 2023