The United States and the Dominican Republic have signed a cooperation agreement for US$184 million over a five-year period to be used to improve public safety, which they described as essential for economic growth in the country. This agreement is part of the new strategy of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and is in line with the Dominican government’s National Development Strategy (END in Spanish). The funds will be disbursed over the next five years, subject to availability, and will be used for crime prevention, climate change and HIV/AIDS prevention. The agreement was signed yesterday, Wednesday 15 January by the Minister of Economy, Planning and Development Temistocles Montas and US Ambassador James Brewster.