Maybe the tittle should be the most ambitious project in the Americas that if it works would be a major change in the economy of the country. This project has everything going it's way with the money to be build, Legal framework and the brain power behind one of the most sucesful financial mind in DR. This project will open many markets in DR that even though exist today are nothing compare this scale in sizes.

Here is some great news

The LAIFEX building takes shape

November 11, 2009: After six years of meticulous research and planning to establish the Independent Financial Centre of the Americas, 2010 will see the first phase of its physical manifestation, as we begin the construction of the LAIFEX building.

Designed by renowned architect Bernard Tschumi, the LAIFEX building is poised to make an iconic statement to regional and international organisations, expressing the innovative and dynamic approach it is taking as a financial hub for the Americas.

“The LAIFEX building is a centre of gravity for the Independent Financial Centre of the Americas and its surrounds,” commented Bernard Tschumi. “It is a bold opening move in a strategically important process – to redefine the boundaries between living and working in an extraordinary and historically consistent way.”

Pre-construction work is underway, and the site infrastructure and utility supply will be developed in early 2010. In the second half of the year, work will begin on the building itself. Build materials have been selected not only to ensure the highest quality in the finished result, but also with a view to sustainability, both in their sourcing and their deployment.

http://www.ifcamericas.com

It would be great to see DR develop the Latin-American version of Singapore. However a successful financial hub requires more than flashy buildings and broadband networking pipes. If the editors of this site want to write a worthy feature they should look into and explain exactly what this aspect of the project means:



I never heard of financial regulation being handled at city or county level ... is this development going to be designated a state/province? a federal district? How exactly will they ensure independence of regulation (aka as little regulation as possible)? Here is what the website says...







I'm very curious who will be on this regulatory board, who appoints them, how long, etc. Hot topics in a place like DR...



I have read a lot lately about Darys Estrella Mordan, Founder and CEO of the Dominican Republic Stock Exchange. Does she play a role in this? Another worthy article for this site would be to interview Mrs. Estrella Mordan about her own efforts in the financial arena on behalf of DR.

Many questions, and hopefully some journalist somewhere has answers. Who knows, maybe in some years I can follow the example of Mrs. Estrella Mordan and leave Wall Street behind for DR and development.

I have signed up for their monthly newsletter. It's very cool how organized this project is!

I got a friend of mine in NY who is going to college who is very interested and another who works for Microsoft in a high position there who was very surprise when i told him about this project. To me this project is going to attract a lots of well educated Dominicans to move back since they will be able to keep their good standards of living and work in their own fields. Personally i'm very interested in this project and hope everything keeps moving the way it has been and according to Mr. Bucher they may be getting it done sooner than expected because he though the first phase was not going to be ready till 2011 but it may just be late 2010 which proves the well organization of the project. This project alone would mean more than many others tourist projects because it opens the doors into a new market professionally talking.

I will start celebrating when the project is finished