Ahead of the inauguration of the XXVII Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, indicated that the great post-pandemic challenge is to avoid a financial crisis that creates social problems.
“One issue that we need to address at this summit, and later in our countries, is that this pandemic crisis will not allow us to move into a financial crisis, a financial crisis that could socially destabilize many of our countries,” the government said. Dominican president. at the Forum of the 13th Ibero-American Business Meeting, held yesterday afternoon in Andorra.
Likewise, he told the rest of the leaders that the countries they lead must prepare, because the financial crisis triggered by an increase in public debt can lead to situations that increase taxes and cause a contraction in spending, and in that sense social cause trouble. .
He also argued that it is necessary to have a growth vision in the economy, which also allows for more taxation, and to create creative financial arrangements that allow for debt repayment, but without hurting growth potential . and job creation.
Vaccines
Abinader reiterated that the COVAX program (the vaccine distribution mechanism of the World Health Organization) has been a failure, “since December we have asked them to allow us to sign an agreement with patents, so that we can produce vaccines in different laboratories, also for different countries, but that failed ”.
“We understand that every country wants to vaccinate its people first, but I think we lacked the creativity to achieve the goals of each of the countries,” said Abinader.
Economic aspects
Abinader also referred to the economic aspect, noting that despite tourism, one of the country’s main sources of foreign exchange being hit by the pandemic, other sectors responded positively. He pointed to exports, which reported record numbers in this area in February. “We are in the process of reviving tourism, we have about 300,000 tourists, mostly North American, estimated to arrive in April,” he said.
He added that the country already has more than 50% of the hotels open. “I think we will have a significant economic recovery,” said Abinader.
He quoted predictions from credit organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and ECLAC, which point to 6% growth in the Dominican Republic this year.
He also emphasized that with social programs, such as Phase I and Phase II, to encourage businesses and prevent unemployment, and the Stay at Home program, targeting casual merchants, has achieved poverty by only 1.9 % will increase. “Our goal is to try and restore the levels we had before the pandemic in a year,” he said.
knowing more
The ceremony.
Abinader took part in the Forum in the company of the Presidents of Spain, Pedro Sánchez; Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei; Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa; Head of Government of Andorra, Xavier Espot Zamora, and the Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa. Pronounced King Felipe VI
closing speech.
Entrepreneurial role.
Abinader recognized the social commitment of many businessmen in the DR and around the world, who kept much of the workforce going even though they weren’t working.
Attend the opening of the summit
President Luis Abinader took part in the inauguration of the XXVII Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government held here yesterday. On this occasion, it promotes a health, social, economic and environmental recovery agenda in the light of the Covid-19 crisis.
During the ceremony in the outdoor area of Hotel Sport Village, in Soldeu, King of Spain, Felipe VI; the President of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei; the head of government of Andorra, Xavier Espot; the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the Ibero-American Secretary General, Rebeca Grynspan. Then Abinader attended the dinner that was offered to the participants.
Work begins today with several bilateral meetings. In the afternoon, the handover of the command will take place from the pro tempore general secretary, where Guatemala hands it over to the Dominican Republic, and later President Abinader will preside over the acceptance speech in which he will announce the country’s plans to the Ibero-American top.