The executive director of the Dominican Port Authority announced this Wednesday that he is making progress in efforts to establish strategic alliances with the private sector with the goal of strengthening the National Port System.

Santo Domingo, March 22, 2017.- Víctor Gómez Casanova, executive director of the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM), was the guest speaker at the third annual American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAMDR) luncheon.

The meeting, held on Wednesday, March 22, at the Sheraton Hotel's Malecón Terrace, brought together government and business leaders, AMCHAMDR members, and guests to participate in the presentation "Dominican Republic by the Sea," given by the highest representative of the regulatory body of the National Port System.

AMCHAMDR President Gustavo Tavares spoke about trade facilitation as a key theme of his presidential term in the Chamber and how it benefits commercial exchange. “Moving goods across borders faster, cheaper, more securely, and with less bureaucracy makes our exports more competitive and imports less expensive for consumers,” Tavares explained.

He also stated that the ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement by the Dominican Congress represents an important step for global foreign trade. Tavares emphasized that AMCHAMDR has been leading this issue in the country, and as an organization, they are very optimistic about the future of trade facilitation in the Dominican Republic. He said that after years of effort, they are seeing a very positive convergence of interests and events.

In his remarks, Tavares took the opportunity to remind the members present at the event that AMCHAMDR is concluding its election period, and voting is continuing ahead of the General Assembly on March 30 to elect the Board of Directors that will govern the organization for the 2017-2018 term.

During his talk, Gómez Casanova noted that the country must undergo a cultural shift in its approach to the sea. "We have taken on the challenge of changing this perspective of living with our backs to the sea, to a vision of living facing the sea. It is impossible for an island to live with its back to the sea, since no matter where we stand, we are always facing it," he emphasized.

He also confirmed that the Government, through the institution he directs, continues to study proposals from foreign companies to establish partnerships that will allow for continued modernization and greater efficiency of the system. He noted that currently, the ports with the highest levels of efficiency in administrative processes, as well as quality, reflected in customer satisfaction, are those with public-private partnerships.

He considered that the most effective way to achieve results is to make concessions, allowing the private sector to make the investments, allowing the government to allocate resources to key areas of the country, such as education, health, and security.