The United States ambassador to the Dominican Republic James (Wally) Brewster, speaking before the local membership of the American Chamber of Commerce on occasion of the traditional Thanksgiving Day luncheon on Wednesday 26 November 2014, called for more involvement from business leaders in Dominican national affairs.
In his talk on “A Time for Global Transition: Are You Ready,” Brewster said that the Dominican Republic is “at a pivotal moment in Dominican history.”
He challenged business leaders to make more contributions to the improvements the DR needs. “Having moved decisively beyond a domestic-centered economy, the Dominican Republic is more integrated economically and socially with the rest of the world than ever before,” he stated.
He challenged individual business leaders: “You are the engine that drives the economy; that provides the salaries for your employees and contributes to the tax base of the government. Your responsibility does not stop there; you must participate in the conversation with your government leaders and insist on cultural and social change that promotes long term solutions for a strong and stable democracy, a democracy that will allow your businesses to compete, to flourish and to profit.”
Brewster called for Dominican society to confront corruption. “It is imperative to adopt a no-tolerance policy for corruption in the public and private sector,” he stated. “If you see someone participating, they are taking money out of your pocket now and in the future. Corruption is the ultimate in selfishness and is theft from society.”
Brewster stressed: “No one in this room can afford to sit on the sidelines and hope for change. Ask more from your government and yourselves to help create favorable conditions for Dominican industries to compete internationally and for society as well as your personal futures to prosper.”
During the talk, he gave an overview of US government local programs. He spoke of the support of the US government to projects in education, human rights, energy, trade, narco trafficking, environment and citizen security. He mentioned the interception and destruction of US$50 million in drugs that would have entered the DR and the US. He highlighted that text for a new extradition treaty had been agreed on to modernize strong law enforcement cooperation.
“This will help in putting away not just the drug lords but other thugs and criminals hurting our societies,” he said. He said soon another treaty would be announced that would be the first of its kind in Latin America.
Brewster highlighted the success of the 911 center with cooperation from the US government. “This center demonstrates to everyone what can be achieved when a government sets its mind to providing better resources that contribute to the lives of its citizens,” said Brewster. He announced that additional support would be forthcoming to expand the service to Santiago, the country’s second largest city.
Brewster also highlighted the multi-phase Customs Modernization and Border Management Program that fosters customs-reform dialogues between business and government stakeholders. He had praise for the American Chamber of Commerce’s trade Facilitation Committee for its ongoing support to the program.
He spoke of backing from the US Department of Agriculture to enhance Dominican farm competitiveness. Likewise, he mentioned the US government Caribbean Energy Security Initiative for working to improve energy security through a comprehensive approach to energy that includes policy reforms, technical improvements, smart investments and responsible environmental stewardships.
He commented on US Embassy support to promote the DR to US companies as a place to do business through different programs, including the National Export Initiative (NEXT).
Brewster also called for Dominican businessmen to invest in the USA. He said he would be leading a delegation to the next Select USA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C. on 23-24 March 2015. “If you run a business and are considering opening or expanding operations in the US, the Select USA Summit is a must,” he said.
Brewster also highlighted the positive change in facilitating getting visas with better customer service.
He highlighted contributions made to education, through programs such as USAID/AmCham corporate social responsibility program, university support programs and Fulbright scholarship programs. “We will continue to partner with the Ministry of Higher Education on English teaching and work with all of you to increase the number of Dominican students studying in the USA,” he announced.
http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov/amb_spee-141126.html