Dr. Leonel Fernández Suggests Strengthening Strategic Alliance between Dominican Republic and Florida

The President of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (Funglode), and former Dominican president, Dr. Leonel Fernández, met in Tampa Bay with members of the business, academic, and political communities as well as Florida government representatives and Dominican cultural leaders, to whom he suggested strengthening the strategic alliance between his country and this southernmost American state.

During his presentation on the advances made from this alliance, Fernández noted that the cooperation between Florida and the Dominican Republic is already tangible in the form of the NAP, an equal access technological center, through academic exchange, medical research, cinema and culture, and sea and air connections.

“In coming years, along with continuing to consolidate areas of cooperation and exchange, we must aim to create free trade areas, and
promote renewable energy, telecoms, biotechnology, infrastructure, business-focused agriculture, and call centers, among others,” he stressed.

The former head of state argued that this must be done under a joint vision of the future, which he said would be “of great importance if we create a coordinated commission that brings together sectors from business, governments, and academia.”

“There is no doubt… The prosperity of Florida and of the Dominican Republic will depend on the capacity to
integrate our economies,” Fernández declared.

Besides in Tampa, meetings were also held in Fort Myers, in Lee County, Florida, specifically on the local campus of Hodges University, with Donald Wortham, the university’s president, and Adriana Buitrago, director of Hodges University’s Hispanic Institute, acting as hosts.

Also serving as hosts were Peter Simmons, mayor of the city of Bonita Springs, and Theresa Wilkins,
acting mayor of Fort Myers, who presented former president Fernández with a key to the city.

“I appreciate the great recognition that Fort Myers has bestowed upon me in granting me the keys to the city as well as the distinction of Haba Florida. A true honor,” said Fernández.

During the presentations, the audience, which included business people, politicians, students, and members of the community, had access to a publication
released by Funglode with the details of the proposed alliance.

The objective of the “Dominican Republic–State of Florida Strategic Alliance” report is to outline the opportunities the Dominican Republic has for fortifying its commercial, cultural, and academic links with the state of Florida.

Prior to his trip to Fort Myers, the former Dominican president headed a breakfast in Port Tampa Bay with political, civil, and business
leaders from the greater Tampa area. In this meeting the former head of state was hosted by Robert “Bob” Buckhorn and Paul Anderson, city major and president of Port Tampa Bay, respectively, as well as Craig Richard, president of the Hillsborough County Economic Development Corporation, and Francisco Sánchez, former United States subsecretary of International Trade, who traveled from Washington, DC, to attend the event.

At the end of the meeting, the
Hillsborough Economic Development Commission announced that a mission of businesspeople would be traveling to the Dominican Republic during the month of December to explore investment and trade possibilities in the Caribbean country.

Related Link: http://leonelfernandez.com