Santo Domingo.- Agriculture and tourism are the two  elements that can spur Dominican Republic’s development, productivity and competitiveness, affirmed the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) representative in the country yesterday.

Manuel Labrado said the entity’s directors will address the strategy for the country on Monday, and that tourism and agriculture are the two productive sectors which are worth supporting.

He said those two sectors have a competitive advantage compared with other products, and in tourism’s case it’s obvious that because of its nature and the beaches, which it’s already the leader, but needs to provide added value beyond just the beach, such as culture.

Labrado said support with infrastructure, energy, transport and water is also needed, which in his view improves tourism’s quality.

As to agriculture, the official said the IDB supports it with the Competitive Agribusiness Transition Support Program (PATCA) for clusters such as Cacao, Mango and others.

He said Dominican Republic’s dimension geographic situation and proximity to US and Canada markets gives it a competitive advantage.

Labrado said the IDB also supports the country in renewable energy, through wind energy, rural and urban water programs and in transport, via the Boulevard of the Atlantic, a road grid that links several resort areas.

Speaking in a press conference with the heads of the National Business Council (Conep), the IDB official said next week a new strategy will be approved for Dominican Republic, that prioritizes support for reforms for an efficient electrical sector, as well as efficient  public spending, continued improving of the social protection system, and tourism and farming infrastructure.

He revealed that the IDB has allocated US$953.8 million in the Dominican Republic, of which 42% are pending disbursal.