From left: World Bank President David Malpass and President Luis Abinader.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic--President Luis Abinader and cabinet members met President of the World Bank, David Malpass at the Presidential Palace on Monday, March 13. Abinader said the visit is evidence of the confidence that international organisations have in the Dominican Republic (DR) government and its management of the economy.
This is the first time that a World Bank president has visited the Dominican Republic.
The Presidency reported that the World Bank has committed to redouble its efforts and expand its portfolio of support to the country in areas of vital importance, such as water, health, waste management, land management and modernisation of public administration.
Present at the meeting at the Presidential Palace were: Vice President Raquel Peña, Economy Minister Pavel Isa Contreras, Hacienda Minister José Vicente, Presidency Minister Joel Santos, Presidency Administrative Minister José Ignacio Paliza, Foreign Relations Minister Roberto Álvarez, Environment Minister Miguel Ceara Hatton and Industry & Commerce Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó.
Also present for the World Bank were Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, Carlos Felipe Jaramillo; Director for Central America and the Dominican Republic, Michel Kerf; Country Manager Ronke Ogunsulire; Executive Director for the Dominican Republic, Erivaldo Gomes; Resident Representative of the World Bank in the country, Alexandra Valerio, and Resident Representative of the International Finance Corporation, Carolina Cárdenas.
In 2022, the Dominican Republic’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached annual growth of 4.9%, higher than the Latin American average.
The Presidency stressed in its press release on the visit that the country overcame the challenges following COVID-19 and its economy is preparing to be more resilient to climate change with greater equity and in the face of international shocks.
World Bank President Malpass, on his official tour, also visited Panama. ~ DR1 ~
