SANTO DOMINGO– The search for a strategic partner for the Cabo Rojo-Pedernales tourism development project has attracted the interest of three major consortiums, and the government will soon announce which one has been selected.
Sigmund Freund, head of the General Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships (DGAPP), highlighted yesterday that three consortia have already paid the participation fee. "They have until March 15th to submit the financial documentation for validation," he stated.
He noted that the partner chosen for the project will have to invest US$577 million over four years, which would result in the construction of 4,700 hotel rooms.
“We will soon be able to announce which company has been chosen to develop this great project in partnership with the Dominican State, a project that will mark the country's tourism history,” Freund stated.
He highlighted the progress of the Cabo Rojo-Pedernales project, indicating that construction of the third hotel, out of the nine planned for the first stage, will begin in early March.
Furthermore, he reiterated that the bidding process for the Pedernales international airport, which will be built in the municipality of Oviedo, will begin in a few weeks.
Freund announced that they expect this week to "award the first infrastructure project to be developed under a PPP contract, which consists of the conversion of the Duarte port in Arroyo Barril-Samaná into a cruise terminal.".
“In these three, we can not only showcase a robust institution, but we also have a portfolio or project bank with more than 20 initiatives, some in feasibility studies, others already declared to be of public interest, and some in competitive processes,” the official explained yesterday while participating in a mass for the third anniversary of the promulgation of Law 47-20, which serves as a regulatory framework for initiatives structured under the public-private partnership modality in different socioeconomic sectors of the country.
He explained that in these three years there has been much learning and that they have made significant progress in consolidating a capable, efficient and transparent institution, with high-level professionals who have achieved great maturity to lead the processes and have shown competence in managing the structuring of initiatives.
Regarding the amendment to Law 47-20, submitted to the National Congress, the executive director of the DGAPP pointed out that they are still seeking consensus and that they are reviewing its contents with different groups from civil society and the business sector to refine the bill and reintroduce it to the Chamber of Deputies.
The Thanksgiving homily was officiated by Monsignor José Amable Durán and was attended by: the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Alfredo Pacheco; the superintendent of Pensions, Francisco Torres, the vice minister of the Presidency, Andrés Lugo, the executive director of Intrant, Hugo Beras;, among other personalities.
Regarding the call
Last November, the Pro-Pedernales Trust formally invited all national and foreign legal entities to participate in the competitive process for the selection of a strategic partner to capitalize and develop the tourist destination of Cabo Rojo, Pedernales.
"The Dominican State is seeking a local or international partner with top-level business credentials, optimal economic capacity to meet the project's requirements, and experience in developing sustainable tourist destinations, so that it can support the State in implementing this very important plan," stated the document containing the terms and conditions.
As a prerequisite to participate and submit the required documentation, every proponent must pay the Pro-Pedernales Trust the sum of US$10,000, non-refundable, according to the specifications established in the document.
