Dominican President inaugurates rehabilitation of the Port of Barahona

President Luis Abinader inaugurated on Tuesday the rehabilitation of the Port of Barahona, an initiative that is part of the government policy for the economic recovery of the country and to promote the tourist and commercial development of this province.

The president explained that the works contemplated the expansion of the mooring area of ​​the ships, through the demolition of the existing structure. Likewise, the construction of five new dukes of dawn, with the capacity to withstand the operations of vessels up to 650 feet in length.

The ruler reported that in addition there was an increase in the depth of the port's entrance channel and maneuvering area, increased to eleven meters.

[President Luis Abinader Rehabilitation of the Port of Barahona] He explained that this will allow the entry of 40,000-ton ships, the installation of metal piles and access walkways that guarantee the durability of the structure and facilitate maritime operations.

“The rehabilitation of the Port of Barahona represents an infrastructure that will allow the docking of cruise ships, containers and the loading of mineral products, which will make it one of the most attractive and active ports in the country and will promote the tourist and commercial development of Barahona ”Said Abinader.

He made it clear that if the recovery is to be sustained over time, and generate the desired long-term benefits, it is necessary to invest in physical capital to fit the global framework and be competitive in the long term.

He stressed that the privileged position of the port qualifies it to become an element of regional logistics, connecting the south of the country with important destinations in the Dominican Republic, the United States and Central America.

The head of state raised the importance of being able to detect opportunities well and get involved with efficiency and good infrastructures, to leave a key sector for the sustainability of the future economy.

"This year 2021 is being the year of the end of the pandemic, of economic reactivation and of structural reforms in all areas," said the president.

He also recalled that 90% of world trade is mobilized by ships.

He indicated that this high percentage of use of the maritime mode in international traffic is linked to the capacity of ships to move large quantities of cargo and to economies of scale that make the transfer of merchandise subject to commercial exchanges cheaper.

That is why, he added, infrastructures such as ports become strategic elements for the economic development and potential growth of a country.

In addition, he highlighted the privilege of the geographical position of the territory since the port system contemplates strategic locations that are deployed from end to end, in a route of ports that are located from Santo Domingo, Manzanillo, La Romana, Boca Chica, Samaná, Pedernales, San Pedro de Macorís or from east of Barahona, among others.

The president was accompanied by the vice president of the Republic, Raquel Peña, the executive of Belfond Enterprise, Steve Creamer and the president of the ESTRELLA Engineering Board of Directors, Manuel Estrella.

Also, the ministers of the Presidency, Lisandro Macarrulla; Administrative of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza; of Tourism, David Collado; Interior and Police, Jesús -Chu- Vásquez Martínez; of Agriculture, Limber Cruz, the senator of Barahona, José del Castillo Saviñón and the president of the Board of Directors of the Port Authority, Alejandro Campos.

Likewise, the general director of Customs, Eduardo -Yayo- Sanz Lovatón, the administrator of the Reserve Bank, Samuel Pereyra; the general director of the National Housing Institute, Carlos Bonilla; the administrator of Banco Agrícola, Fernando Durán and the Administrative Vice Minister of the Presidency, Igor Rodríguez.

President Abinader emphasized that the country is located in a strategic point in the Caribbean.

He also emphasized the efforts they are making to turn the Dominican Republic into a logistics HUB, hence the need to form a network of modern ports that are at the forefront of the new economy.

He pointed out that, from the Dominican Port Authority, as the entity that regulates the national port system, they were witnesses and vigilant of the fulfillment of the national and international regulations implemented in this process of reform and rehabilitation of the dock.

He said that the construction of this multifunctional maritime terminal responds to the needs of an entire people that for years tirelessly asked for a change that today becomes a reality.

“Hoy, gracias a Dios, a la visión y voluntad de nuestro presidente Luis Abinader de lograr todo un gobierno comprometido con su gente, y gracias al esfuerzo Belfond Enterpreside y de Grupo Estrella, la Perla del Sur, Barahona, cuenta con un puerto remozado, listo para operar a mucho mayor capacidad y generar oportunidades y riquezas a toda la zona Sur del país”, manifestó Campos.

Meanwhile, the executive of Bel [Belfond Enterprise Executive, Steve Creamer - Barahona Port Rehabilitation] fond Enterprise, Steve Creamer, considered that the management of President Abinader is a great example of leadership to create an atmosphere of public-private business partnerships that not only create local jobs and improve the local economy today, but also create long-term facilities that foster the development of the economy for decades and generations.

“With your guidance, Mr. President, the port was built for multiple use, with the containers that you can see, the exports that will take place in this port will not only benefit the mining industry but also the local and national economy. An active port is the first step in creating an increase in tourism, agriculture and free trade manufacturing, ”said Creamer.

The work was built by ESTRELLA Engineering with the latest technologies in the international construction industry.

From its position as the regulatory body of the National Port System, the Dominican Port Authority carried out the technical supervision of the rehabilitation activities to guarantee the quality of the works and the safety of the maritime operations.

As part of its institutional strengthening, the Dominican Port Authority carried out multiple improvements to its facilities in Barahona that allow it to provide efficient administrative and service management.

With the validation of the Dominican Port Authority, the investment for the new port was in charge of Belfond Enterprise. A company with North American capital that has the firm commitment to contribute to the sustainable development of the South Region of the country.

In compliance with the responsibility for community development, the reconstruction of the pier was a valuable source of job creation and economic impact for a province with a special desire for progress and collective well-being. Men and women contributed their talent, energy and optimism to make the dream of the Pearl of the South a reality.