New Domincan Rep. Administration To Strengthen Ties With The BVI
The new administration in the Dominican Republic wants to establish closer ties with the government of the British Virgin Islands in the area of agricultural development, according to Minister of Agriculture Eligio Jaquez. Mr. Jaquez formed part of a 10-member delegation that paid a fleeting visit to the territory on Wednesday August 2nd. General elections in the Dominican Republic were held May 16th and a new government, led by Hipolito Mejia, was sworn in on Wednesday August 16th.
Mr. Mejia paid a private visit to the BVI about four years ago and shared the burden of government for the development of the territory's agricultural sector. Mr. Jaquez is the new President's "right-hand man". Dominican Dr. Miriam Hodge and her husband - the Honourable Omar Hodge, government backbencher, hosted the visit of this delegation to the BVI. The team included Mr. Fernando Alvarez Bogaert - Minister of Finance, Mr. Rafael Subervi Bonilla - Minister of Police and Interior Affairs and other government and private sector officials. While here, they met with officials from the Department of Agriculture, several private sector officials including the Manager of Roadtown Wholesale and representatives of the construction industry and a number of government Ministers and officials.
"We have a challenge as a new government to develop the agricultural sector in the Dominican Republic," Mr. Jaquez told The Island Sun in an exclusive interview translated by Dr. Hodge. "Our new President is a man who has worked successfully in the agricultural sector for the past 30 years of his life and the fact that he is now the President of the country, his main purpose is to develop the Dominican Republic as the leading country in agriculture in the Caribbean." He explained that the Dominican Republic, rich as it is in its agricultural base and with the BVI attracting millions of tourists to its shores each year, both countries can collaborate to further strengthen the economy. "If we can establish a close relationship between the BVI and Dominican Republic governments and more importantly with the private sector in the BVI who normally would use the Dominican Republic as a source for different food and other products, if this relationship can be guaranteed by the government in terms of quality, it would definitely be something that can help the BVI to develop and it can help us to be the leaders in this market," translated Dr. Hodge.
The Dominican Republic Agriculture Minister told the Island Sun that they would be looking to establish a commercial relationship with BVI officials to sell orange juice, yam, tania, pumpkin, rice, papaya, pineapple, cucumber, onions, green pepper, mango, plantain, cassava, carrot, cauliflower, eggs, chicken, honey, melon, grapefruit and lemon etc. He said his country has the ability to produce food for 40 million people. According to Mr. Jaquez, in the Dominican Republic, there is great potential for the production of rice, chicken, pigs, eggs and other fruits and vegetables. The Dominican Republic also has a good production of coffee. In addition to the BVI, the new DR government would be exploring potentials in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and St. Kitts/Nevis.
He said his government would be especially concerned to guarantee the quality and quantity of the products coming out of the Dominican Republic to the BVI and at competitive prices. Already, there is a substantial amount of trade taking place between the countries, in the area of clothing, general merchandise, beverages, fruits and vegetables.
The Agriculture Minister said his government would be working with the producers in the Dominican Republic, as they are the ones who will be producing for export. "We don't want to export what we don't want; we want to produce with the idea to export." He told The Island Sun that mechanisms would be put in place "definitely this year" to further this proposal. Mr. Jaquez said his delegation was very pleased with the reception they received in the British Virgin Islands. Speaking at a reception at Pusser's Fort Burt Hotel just prior to their departure, Chief Minister the Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal noted that there are great ties between Santo Domingo and the BVI. He mentioned that in certain villages in the Dominican Republic, there are still many descendants of those BV Islanders who worked on the sugar estates there some years ago. "And now, a good many people from Santo Domingo are coming here...they find employment in many different jobs and they seem to have settled well in the community."
Deputy Governor Elton Georges echoed the Chief Minister's welcome to the delegation from the Dominican Republic. He said while he has not yet had the opportunity to visit the Dominican Republic, it is on his list of things to do in the near future, as he recognizes that the ties between the two countries are growing. The reception was attended by Minister of Natural Resources and Labour the Honourable Julian Fraser, Minister of Communications and Works Hon. Alvin Christopher, Minister of Education and Culture Hon. Andrew Fahie, Leader of the Opposition Dr. the Honourable Orlando Smith, Member for the 7th District Hon. Dr. Kedrick Pickering, the Commissioner of Police and officials from government departments.