Steps in the right direction! GLTA!2020 2020News DR bets on public-private partnerships Dolores Vicioso Sep 3, 2020 at 9:52 AM Updated on Sep 3, 2020 at 6:42 AM President Luis Abinader called for private investors to participate in public-private alliances to build needed infrastructures in the Dominican Republic. He announced the signing of the legal framework for Public Private Partnership Law 47-20. The ruling was needed for the drafting of the agreements between government and private investors. The health emergency is an opportunity to build new systems to benefit all, said the President after the signing on Wednesday. He challenged investors: The time to invest in the Dominican Republic is now, he said. He said the government is prioritizing the areas of ground, air and maritime transport, water, health, education, energy, farming, housing, tourism, trade, urban mobility, telecommunications, citizen safety and national defense. He said the drafting of the ruling just 17 days after the governments start is proof of the governments strong interest in the new instrument as a tool for development. Abinader expressed his conviction that Public Private Partnerships are the way to harness public and private resources to construct the needed infrastructures. On the list of priorities, Abinader announced the government seeks investors in the Amber Highway that will put Puerto Plata on the north coast of the island, just two-hour drive from Santo Domingo. The government is also looking for investors for the development of the Manzanillo Port in the northwest. The port would serve banana and Santiago province and border province export free zone industries. Investors are also sought for the development of the beach strip in Pedernales, in the southwest. We are betting on attracting private investment as never before, said the President upon making the announcement. The new office for Public-Private Partnerships is directed by lawyer Sigmund Freud Mena. Freud Mena spoke at the ceremony and stressed that the laws implementation will accelerate the pace of construction of major infrastructure projects nationwide. Also speaking at the event, the president of the National Council of Business (Conep) Pedro Brache highlighted the new innovative ruling provides the institutional base for the partnerships that will result in a better quality of life for Dominicans. He said the private sector commits to collaborate with the new challenge. Read the Law 47-20 Ministry of Economy