This deal will result in greater air connectivity that will promote the development not only of the tourism sector, but also of other areas such as trade and investment

SANTO DOMINGO, WILLEMSTAD – The Dominican Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miguel Vargas, signed air services agreements with the Netherlands, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, which establish a regulatory framework among the subscribing States, which will facilitate the economic and cultural exchange with these peoples.

The press release sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Dominican Infotur office draws attention to the fact that the ambassador of the Netherlands in the Dominican Republic, Annemieke Alexandra Verrijp, signed the agreement with her country and the one corresponding to Curaçao. While, by Sint Maarten, acted Stuart Andrew Johnson, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications.

The Dominican chancellor said that the stipulated will result in greater air connectivity, “which will promote the development not only of the tourism sector, but also of other areas such as trade and investment, among our four countries.”

He said that the Dominican Republic receives almost seven million tourists by air, among which more than 31,000 come from the Netherlands, and said that these agreements will help reach the goal of ten million visitors by 2020.

Regarding the commercial dynamics, the Foreign Minister quoted data from the Department of Foreign Trade and Administration of Commercial Treaties (DICOEX), of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Mipymes (MICM), according to which, in 2017 the Dutch market represented approximately 2% of total Dominican exports.

While, from 2013 to 2017, Dominican imports from the Netherlands reflect an annual growth of 23%. “We are sure that the instrument signed will positively stimulate these numbers in favor of the two nations,” said Miguel Vargas.

On Curaçao and Sint Maarten, the high official expects that the agreement allows the establishment of direct flights that increase tourism, trade and investment, as it revealed that there is no appropriate air connectivity with these countries.

Ambassador Verrijp and Minister Andrew Johnson highlighted the significance of the agreements and affirmed that they will benefit the subscribing countries.

At the ceremony, held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mirex), was present the president of the Board of Civil Aviation of the Dominican Republic, Luis Ernesto Camilo, whom Minister Vargas thanked for making possible the signing of agreements.

Likewise, Alejandro Herrera, general director of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC) participated; Marino Collante, executive director of the Airport Department; and the General of the Air Force Brigade of the Dominican Republic (FARD), Aracenis Castillo de la Cruz, director of the Specialized Corps in Airport Security and Civil Aviation (CESAC).