[DR1] Brineman complains about corruption

[NewsWhore]

Corruption and electricity theft are the main factors hindering the Dominican Republic from becoming competitive, according the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Director Elena Brineman who was speaking at a farewell ceremony in her honor last night, hosted by the National Business Council (CONEP). Brineman stated that the DR must challenge corruption and the theft of energy by the rich as well as the poor. "We have very clear data that indicates that most electricity is stolen by the rich, not the poor. There are some poor people stealing energy, but the rich are stealing more," she said according to a report by El Caribe. All sectors, rich and poor, must pay for the energy they use as this is the manner in which the energy problem can be solved, according to the diplomat. Brineman received a long ovation from the members of CONEP after her speech. She also admitted that the complaints from Dominican businesspeople about the high cost of energy are valid because this makes it difficult for them to compete. Present at Brineman's farewell, after six years at the head of USAID, were US Ambassador Hans Hertell, CONEP President Elena Viyella de Paliza, as well as members of USAID, the Dominican Free Zone Association, and the Dominican-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and other special guests.

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