Dominican President in talks with Indian entrepreneur Pitroda

posted on: Feb 3 2010 11:9 by Royston. Viewed 348 times.


President Leonel Fern�ndez met with the Indian entrepreneur Sam Pitroda on Tuesday, who is interested in investing in the country in the area of information technology. The discussions centered around the installation of a "City of Knowledge", with an investment of up to two billion dollars .

This was announced by Eddy Martinez, director of the Dominican Export and Investment Canter (CEI-RD), at the end of the meeting which lasted for about an hour at the National Palace.
Martinez explained  Pitroda, Chairman of the Pitroda Group, discussed the various opportunities in the world of I.T. and how today there are opportunities for countries like India, to promote projects based on information technology impacting the entire economy.

He expressed their willingness to work here in the Dominican Republic as the Pitroda Group is already doing in India and Mexico with the establishment of  a �City of Knowledge," said the director of CEI-RD.
He added that President Fernandez was extremely excited about the idea that this project can be developed in the country, but that all suggestions by the Pitroda Group will  be evaluated before decisions are made.

Martinez said the President is enthusiastic about the private sector engaging in these activities and Pitroda will be put in touch with local business personalities.

He said that for the development of this project, Pitroda will be visiting the country frequently and the Indian entrepreneur has indicated his willingness to invest in a first stage with Pitroda�s own capital and also to bring other partners to the Dominican Republic. The figures quoted were up to US$2billion. He noted that Pitroda is one of the pioneers in technological development in India.

Martinez announced that in March he will travel to India with a delegation of officials and Dominican businessmen to further strengthen contacts with investors from that country.

At the meeting was also present, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Ligia Amada Melo as well as Domingo Tavares, director of the Presidential Office of Information Technology and Communication (OPTIC) and the Dominican consul in Chicago, Giselle Castillo among others.