Santos Domingo.- The Herrera industral companies grouped in AEIH rejected president Leonel Fernandez’s instructinos to the Hacienda Ministry to obtain RD$7 billion from the the pension funds for loans for farmers, at the market rate.

AEIH president Manuel Cabrera said Wednesday the measure concerns both business leaders and employees, who don’t trust the plan, because those funds are "untouchable and sacred." 

He reciognized, however that ways to invest part of the pension funds are needed, because it makes no sense that while billions of Dominican taxpayers’ money is stuck in banks Dominican society undergoes calamities.

He said the funds could be used in housing construction, which provide guarantees to the employees and management. "We have to be sure that the money is used in cases that offer strong warranties, such as housing, because it’s something that human beings defend to extremes and people with a house do everything possible to meet their commitment,"

Cabrera, interviewed by Huchi Lora on Telesistema, said the Fernandez should clarify any questions regarding the measure, since the Government would be the guarantor of RD$7 billion withdrawn from the pension fund.