“Tourism is the main economic asset of the country”

HIPOLITO MEJIA President of the Dominican Republic

One reason for the swift growth of the Dominican economy and the overall improvements to the country’s infrastructure and social well being has been the straightforward, businesslike and transparent character of President Hipolito Mejia’s administration.
Sweeping to victory in the May 2000 elections, Mr. Mejia and his Dominican Revolutionary Party seized a majority control of the legislature and have since pushed through long needed reforms and made steady progress to tighten fiscal and monetary policy, keep inflation under control, rein in public spending, improve education and health services and stabilize the economy.
In an exclusive interview, President Mejia discusses the strong points of the Dominican economy, his administration’s priorities and the advantages of investing in his country.

Considering all the strengths and possibilities of Dominican industry, on which sector is your administration currently putting the most emphasis?
In a country where the economy depends mainly on free zones and tourism, and notwithstanding my own personal background as an agricultural engineer, we have made it a priority to support the tourism sector by all necessary means.
Tourism contributes about $3 billion per year to the national economy, so any president or any person involved in economic activities must take this into account. The Dominican Republic has been the fastest growing Caribbean country in tourism for the last few years, passing from only some 15,000 beds 15 years ago to almost 60,000 now.
Just a few days ago, I was talking to some friends about the repercussions of tourism in the general economy. In my own field of agro-industry, the incidence of tourism development has been enormous. It has sparked a boom in the consumption of agricultural products, especially tropical fruits and other basic vegetables.
All sectors of the economy have benefited from tourism development. And this is why we support and will continue to support it. Tourism in general is the main economic asset of the country.

How high on your list of priorities is infrastructure?
In 2001 we invested more than $250 million in infrastructure, mostly within the tourist areas. All the big city centers in the country are now connected by first-class highways. This was a priority for us.

What role has the United States played in the development of your tourist industry?
The role of the U.S. is an important one, although Spain has been more important for us. We credit Spain for the real development of tourism in the country. But new tourist developments in Juanillo and Pedernales are working hard to integrate some of the big U.S. hospitality companies, something of great importance because until now the whole panorama has been dominated by the large European groups.
We are starting to get significant investments from some of the major American companies, and this is even more important because right now, U.S. tourism is starting to experience major growth. We are trying to focus much more on high-class tourism so U.S. interest is fundamental.

Could you outline your top priorities?
Independently of anything else, we have programmed four top priorities: education, health, food, and housing.
These will always remain my priorities. Of course, in a country like ours, with over 100 stars in the major baseball leagues, sport is also very important, as is culture.

What message would you like to send to our U.S. readership?
The Dominican Republic is the safest destination for American investment, with the best guarantees and profit repatriation. We have a commitment with the American government to guarantee these investments under any circumstances, either natural catastrophe or political circumstances.
This is a country in which you can walk the streets. We enjoy a solid social peace. The Dominican Republic is a safe place and we are making it even safer. That has a great value. There are good labor conditions and people want to make progress. I would like Americans to come and visit our beaches, our golf courses and our sport facilities, to come and enjoy our music and our culture. But the most important aspect we offer is our social peace and safety and our clear will to keep it that way.