Paíno Henríguez presented to the Destination City the alternatives he is promoting to expedite the processes prior to the construction of projects
SANTO DOMINGO.- The difficulties and bad experiences in obtaining permits and carrying out procedures that construction and tourism industry entrepreneurs must undertake continue to represent a challenge for these sectors, given that in many government entities, bureaucracy becomes an obstacle that hinders the development of projects.
According to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Paíno Henríquez, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MIMARENA) has launched a digital revolution to simplify procedures and provide timely responses to one of the most representative sectors of the national economy.
“We are driving a transformation that goes beyond simply incorporating technological tools. It involves reviewing our procedures, simplifying processes, and standardizing criteria to offer greater clarity, efficiency, and predictability. We also strive to ensure that developers and promoters have access to organized environmental information that allows them to better understand the conditions of the land and justify their investment decisions, always in compliance with environmental regulations,” the official told executives, investors, and developers at Cap Cana.
At the meeting “A Coffee with the Minister,” participants shared their experiences with environmental procedures and raised the difficulties they encounter when managing their projects, while the minister explained the improvements the Ministry is promoting to address those needs.
Opportunities to simplify
Henríquez noted that the exchange allows for the identification of opportunities to simplify procedures and provide greater clarity to technical requirements, especially in more complex projects, without compromising the rigor of environmental assessments.
Cap Cana appreciates the conversation
Cap Cana's CEO, Jorge Subero Medina, thanked the minister for the opportunity to speak directly and praised the progress made in digitizing environmental procedures.
“It is a pleasure and an honor for us to host this meeting, as it allows us to share our concerns, raise our questions, and learn firsthand about the tools and processes we must follow to continue developing our projects. We recognize the Ministry's efforts to digitize and streamline procedures, because this efficiency is important for the development of the construction and tourism sectors, always within the framework of environmental legislation,” stated Subero Medina.
Environmental procedures and territorial consultation
Among the initiatives offered were details from the Smart Ministry, where the entity highlighted the use of artificial intelligence and robotic automation to support the management of Category D Minimum Impact Registration Certificates (CRIM), whose tools, in their words, reduce repetitive tasks and facilitate the tracking of files.
He added to the alleged CRIM Expressa module that allows for the automatic pre-categorization of applications from the beginning of the process.
For environmental assessments in categories A and B, the standardization process comprises 73 terms of reference. With this, the Ministry seeks to provide greater clarity on the technical requirements for preparing the documentation and reduce the need to redraft documents, the Minister of the Environment explained.
Regarding territorial information, SIGEO RD, the Geospatial Information System of the Dominican Republic, which integrates 41 layers of information and allows consulting and cross-referencing data on protected areas, biodiversity, water resources, soils and natural hazards, among other components, to understand the environmental conditions of a piece of land before acquiring it or designing a project.
Henríquez also presented the National Environmental and Natural Resources Information System (SINIA), which compiles environmental statistics, geospatial information, research, scientific publications, and technical documentation to facilitate access. She also shared progress in addressing complaints and environmental oversight, emphasizing the coordination of actions, the recording of evidence, and case follow-up.
In addition to Subero Medina, the meeting was attended by the president of the Board of Directors of Cap Cana, Fernando Hazoury; as well as vice presidents, other executives, developers and builders linked to the Destination City.
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