In four years, the Government managed to achieve a agreement of alliance public-private (APP) to transform the port of Arroyo Barril cargo, in Samanain a port of cruises. The contract, signed with the ITM Port Investments Consortium for 33 years, stipulates that the government will receive 1.75 dollars for each tourist to visit the port.
The information was detailed to Diario Libre by the interim executive director of the DGAPPEliardo Cairo, during the second International Forum of Public-Private Partnerships, titled “Advances and Challenges of the PPP Program in the Dominican Republic“, organized by the General Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships. At this event, Vice President Raquel Peña assured that the Government will promote PPP projects to promote economic growth.
The official recalled that, in addition to the income by visitors, the State will obtain 0.53 dollars per month per square meter rented for the project. It is estimated that tourist arrivals reach 400,000 annually, which indicates that, in the more than three decades of the projectthis could generate income approximately 115.6 million dollars.
Phase of project
“To date, they have declared interest public four initiatives. Of these, only one has reached the signing of a contract: the transformation of the port from Arroyo Barril, in Samanain a port of cruise ships,” said the official.
When asked about the status of the work, he said: “In the project “We are currently working on everything that is preconstruction: studies, designs, land, environmental studies, etc.”
During the event, Sigmund Freund, in his capacity as the first executive director of the DGAPPdetailed the achievements of the entity, indicating that the port Duarte-Arroyo Barril is a project which will generate a investment of 62.82 million dollars and 1,050 jobs direct and indirect. He assured that the work contemplates the arrival of cruise passengers starting in 2025.
Of agreement with Cairo, the project will be carried out with a investment fully assumed by the company awarded private, ITM. “The State will receive income both for each passenger who uses the port as well as long-term use of the facilities. Before, this port represented a investment passive, without significant activity. “It is now expected to generate significant resources and have a considerable social impact in the region,” he added.
Cairo highlighted that there was another important process to develop, such as that of the Amber Highway, but this remained deserted. However, he highlighted that, in just four years, they achieved a first agreement signedwhich represents a significant advance, especially if one considers that other countries have taken up to 15 or 20 years to complete a single project under this model.
Declared initiatives of interest public
Implementation of the National Program Vehicle Technical Inspection of the Dominican Republic (ITV): The Technical Vehicle Inspection will be responsible for establishing and guaranteeing the technical-mechanical and environmental suitability of the vehicles that circulate on the country’s roads.
Amber Highway: He project proposes the hiring of a private partner for the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of a new toll road between Santiago de los Caballeros and Puerto Plata, called Autopista del Ámbar.
Hemodialysis Services: Provision of hemodialysis service to the National Health Service.
Electronic Passports: Project for the acquisition and maintenance of new infrastructure for the issuance of electronic passports for Dominican citizens, both residents in the Dominican Republic and abroad.
