Circe Almánzar, reconocida líder empresarial, participó en el foro "Economic 2024: Transforming data into opportunities for our people", organized by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and SMEs (MICM) in the Dominican Republic. During the event, Almánzar stated that the crisis in the country’s electricity sector is essentially a fiscal problem that requires an urgent revision of the roadmap established in the Electricity Pact. She highlighted that despite a detailed plan being outlined to address the sector’s fundamental issues, many of these have not been executed due to changes in economic and political variables, emphasizing the need to take concrete actions.
Almánzar pointed out that the electricity problem goes beyond power outages and has deep fiscal implications for the country. She emphasized that the sector generates a critical fiscal situation, as the high costs are ultimately paid by all Dominicans through taxes. The business leader called on the new authorities to review the roadmap and make necessary adjustments, including new calculations and an investment plan in the electricity sector. She stressed that without the necessary investments and difficult decisions, the electricity crisis cannot be resolved.
The executive outlined the three fundamental pillars established in the Electricity Pact, which include improving investments in the distribution sector, reducing losses causing the sector’s deficit, and addressing the high social and political costs associated with these actions. Almánzar warned that without the necessary investments and difficult decisions, the electricity crisis cannot be solved. She urged the new authorities to take the necessary steps to address these issues and ensure the sector’s sustainable development.
Almánzar also discussed the role of mining in generating foreign exchange for the country. She applauded the creation of the state mining company, a project she sees as a positive sign from the president in his commitment to mining as a source of income for the country. She highlighted the need to boost exports of goods, with mining being a key sector to achieve this. Almánzar compared the Dominican situation to Chile, where 20% of tax pressure comes from mining revenues and exports, underscoring the importance of following this model to develop responsible mining in the country.
During the "Economic 2024″ forum, Almánzar reaffirmed her commitment to the sustainable economic development of the Dominican Republic. She expressed confidence that with the right decisions, the country can overcome the current challenges in the electricity sector and leverage the potential of mining. Almánzar’s remarks shed light on the importance of addressing the fiscal and operational issues in the electricity sector while also harnessing the economic benefits of responsible mining practices for the country’s development.
