2025News

French Minister announces Euro200 million in annual investment in DR

Laurent Saint-Martin / Acento

During his recent visit, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, Laurent Saint-Martin, announced a significant investment of over €200 million annually in the Dominican Republic. The funding, channeled through the French Development Agency (AFD), will focus on transportation, environmental, and health projects.

Saint-Martin was in the Dominican Republic for the signing of the 2025-2027 Cooperation Roadmap with the Ministry of Foreign Relations.

During his visit, Saint-Martin toured the Santo Domingo cable car and Metro Line 2, emphasizing the nation’s potential for multimodal transportation development. He highlighted discussions with President Luis Abinader regarding expanded cooperation in infrastructure, particularly urban mobility systems in Santo Domingo and Santiago.

In speaking for the press, Saint-Martin said that the funding is part of collaboration with countries with which France has a close relationship and said “we can do more.”

The AFD, active in the Dominican Republic for over 27 years, aims to strengthen its involvement in strategic sectors. Saint-Martin also addressed the bilateral trade relationship, noting annual exchanges of approximately €600 million and opportunities for growth in infrastructure, renewable energy, and tourism.

Saint-Martin underscored France’s expertise in railway infrastructure, including metropolitan trains and cable car systems. French companies POMA, Sofratesa, and Alstom, involved in the design and construction of the cable car and metro systems in the Dominican Republic, participated in the tour.

Julio Ramírez, head of the cable car system, explained its operational capabilities under various weather conditions, with safety protocols in place for extreme events. The system features four stations, a maximum capacity of 4,500 people per hour per direction, and 120 operating cabins. Each cabin can carry up to 12 passengers and operates at a speed of 7 meters per second.

The cable car operates from 6am to 10:30pm on weekdays, 6am to 9pm on Saturdays, and 8am to 9pm on Sundays and holidays. The fare is RD$35, with a RD$100 rechargeable card. Children under 120 centimeters ride for free.

Safety regulations include restrictions on crossing the yellow line at stations until cabin doors open, prohibiting animals and large packages, and excluding individuals under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or carrying weapons. Eating, drinking, and smoking are also prohibited within the cabins, and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

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DR1 News

26 March 2025