Foreign Relations Minister Miguel Vargas signed air services agreement with the Netherlands in Europe and Curaçao and Saint Marteen in the Caribbean. The agreement calls for new regulatory frameworks to facilitate trade and cultural exchanges. The agreement is expected to facilitate the establishment of direct flights with The Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean islands.
The ambassador of The Netherlands in the Dominican Republic, Annemieke Alexandra Verrijp, signed the agreement for the Netherlands and Curaçao. Stuart Andrew Johnson, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications, signed on behalf of Sint Marteen.
Speaking at the signing, Foreign Minister Vargas said the agreements will bring greater air connectivity and that this will promote the development of the tourism sector, but also other areas, such as trade and investment among the signing countries.
Around 31,000 travelers came from The Netherlands last year. Data from the Foreign Trade and Administration of Trade Treaties (Dicoex) agency of the Ministry of Industry & Commerce reveals that in 2017 the Dutch market represented approximately 2% of total Dominican exports. Dominican imports from The Netherlands have grown 23% from 2013 to 2017.
Ambassador Verrijp and Minister Andrew Johnson highlighted the significance of the conventions and stated that they will benefit the signatory countries.
The signing ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Relations (Mirex). Also participating was the president of the Civil Aviation Board of the Dominican Republic, Luis Ernesto Camilo; Alejandro Herrera, director general of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC); Marino Collante, executive director of the Airport Department; and Brigadier General of the Dominican Republic’s Air Force (FARD), Aracenis Castillo de la Cruz, director of the Cuerpo Especializado en Seguridad Aeroportuaria y de la Aviación Civil (CESAC).
Read more in Spanish:
Ministry of Foreign Relations
14 May 2019