Minister of Foreign Affairs for Cooperaction and the Promotion of the French Language, Charles Josselin signed an agreement whereby two Dominican commercial banks, the Banco Hipotecario Dominicano (BHD) and the Banco Intercontinental (Baninter) will provide long-term financing for small and medium-size business. The agreement has the support of the French Development Agency and the Technical Secretariat of the Presidency in the Dominican Republic. The French government has contributed US$20 million to the fund. During his visit to Santo Domingo, the French minister inaugurated the Lycee Française, a school for French-speaking children. He also decorated Professor Juan Bosch, founder of the government Partido de la Liberación Dominicana with the order of Grand Official of the Legion of Honor, in recognition for his literary and government activities. The honor was conferred by President Jacquez Chirac of France.
