Yesterday, President Hipolito Mejia ended his five-day official visit to Taiwan. He has requested the support of President Chen Shui-bian for funding of US$200 million for several priority development projects. These are: 1) US$50 million for the salvaging of Yaque del Norte River. This program would be carried out by the Instituto Superior de Agricultura, the nation’s main farming higher learning center. ISA’s rector Benito Ferreiras traveled with President Mejia to Taiwan. This project includes the relocation of impoverished families that live at the riverside. 2) US$50-$60 million for equipping 29 polytechnics. Money would also be used to send Dominican technicians to train at the Taishan Vocational Center of Taiwan. 3) US$20 million for the leveling of around 100,000 hectares of rice lands. 4) US$50 milllion to fund an ambitious plan to plant fruit trees. The program envisions a total US$400 million investment the government seeks from international organizations and friendly governments. 5) Funding to open foreign investment promotion offices abroad. 6) Funding for a management center to support cooperative initiatives between the government and the private sector.
