Takenfrom Today
SANTO DOMINGO.-The Dominican Confederation of Micro, Small and Medium Construction Companies (Copymecon) advocated for increasing both the percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP) of public investment by the Government in construction, as well as the level of budget execution, which has been very low and limited since 2020.
The entity's directors criticized the fact that last year RD$130 billion was budgeted for public investments in construction, but only RD$70 billion, that is, half of the estimated amount.
The president of Copymecom, Eliseo Cristopher; its vice president, Frank Guerrero; the trust director, Eduard Del Villar and Wilson Evaristo Guerrero, director of communications, while participating in the Economic Meeting highlighted that there is a budgetary lag for the construction sector and recalled the dynamism that it creates in the economy.
They added that this year's National Budget includes RD$140 billion for investment in the sector and they understand that this figure is still limited and low, and they also fear that the execution will be much lower.
Christopher stated that in other developing countries similar to the Dominican Republic, public investment in construction contributes between 5% and 8% of GDP, while the local figure is only an average of two percent.
They indicated that in addition to increasing public investment, there must be criteria for its use, and that this should include small and medium-sized construction companies. In other words, a distributive approach is needed so that the funds don't remain in the hands of just a few companies.
They also criticized the fact that there is a breach of laws 340-06 on purchases and contracts and 488-08 on MSMEs, which establish that 20% of the projects should be for the sector.
They said that entities such as the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), the Santo Domingo Water and Sewerage Corporation (CAASD), and the National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewerage are failing to comply and are the ones carrying out the most public investment.
The figures
25.1 percent. That's the growth recorded by the construction sector from January to November 2021, according to figures released by the Central Bank on December 29. It is one of the fastest-growing sectors.
22.6 percent. That's the growth recorded by the construction sector in November 2021 alone, according to figures from the Central Bank. It is one of the sectors with the highest growth compared to 2020, followed by hotels and bars.
84 construction micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This is the number of MSMEs that will work on the Ciudad Altos de la Riviera project; currently, 16 are working on it. But these MSMEs are being supported with training and formalization by Copymecon.
