NewsWhore
05-28-2009, 03:30 PM
After saying that the project would reduce poverty in the southwest, former Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez defended the 99-year concession granted to Sociedad Comercial Terma de Salamandra. Backed by Italian promoters, the company plans to build a tourist complex in Canoa, Barahona.
The main attraction will be the thermal baths. The complex would have 1,000 rooms, a golf course and other facilities.
The contract was signed by Jimenez in 2007 and approved by the Senate last week. Jurists and legislators have criticized the long period of the concession and the fact that the company only has RD$500,000 in registered capital.
Jimenez said that the company's capital is not an issue, because the main thing is the promoter's ability to secure financing.
Jimenez visited the Hoy newspaper offices to defend the project. He said the 99-year concession guarantees a greater value to the lands. He dismissed the idea that such a long term was like giving up a part of the national territory.
"It's a shame that contracts of this type in the Dominican Republic take so long to be approved," he complained, since this contract took two years in the process of approval.
He said that the project has been approved by the people of Barahona, the Agrarian Institute and the office of National Assets. He said that 53 small farmers have been relocated and their lands, 2,275 tareas (about 143 hectares) purchased for more than RD$14 million.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#9)
The main attraction will be the thermal baths. The complex would have 1,000 rooms, a golf course and other facilities.
The contract was signed by Jimenez in 2007 and approved by the Senate last week. Jurists and legislators have criticized the long period of the concession and the fact that the company only has RD$500,000 in registered capital.
Jimenez said that the company's capital is not an issue, because the main thing is the promoter's ability to secure financing.
Jimenez visited the Hoy newspaper offices to defend the project. He said the 99-year concession guarantees a greater value to the lands. He dismissed the idea that such a long term was like giving up a part of the national territory.
"It's a shame that contracts of this type in the Dominican Republic take so long to be approved," he complained, since this contract took two years in the process of approval.
He said that the project has been approved by the people of Barahona, the Agrarian Institute and the office of National Assets. He said that 53 small farmers have been relocated and their lands, 2,275 tareas (about 143 hectares) purchased for more than RD$14 million.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#9)