The Ambassador Irène Horejs, Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) signed on Wednesday in Santo Domingo, a bilateral agreement between the Dominican Republic and Haiti of 42 million euros [± 55 million dollars], for to the implementation of infrastructure projects and commercial, to promote trade in the context of sustainable development and of socio-economic progress, to the benefit of communities living along the common border between the two countries of the island.

Domingo Jimenez, Director of the EU in charge of the coordination of European Fund, emphasized on the benefits of this agreement. The document provides the construction of a market in Dajabon and Juana Mendez (Ouanaminthe), border towns between the two countries as part of bilateral trade ; the rehabilitation of access roads to facilitate the clearance of agricultural products ; the rehabilitation of customs infrastructure ; protection of banks of the river Massacre separating Haiti and the Dominican Republic as well as studies on environmental and urban management.

Under the agreement, the first payment of the EU for these bilateral projects is approximately 23.2 million euros [± 30 million dollars]. The Ambassador Horejs, clarified that after the technical studies that will begin shortly, the tender will be launched later this year for a construction start planned for 2013.

SL/ HaitiLibre