Some 400,000 Dominicans to get IDs with World Bank US$19.4M

Dominicantoday.com, Santo Domingo , September 20 th 2007

Washington . - The World Bank will lend the Government US$19.4 million to issue documents to almost 400,000 Dominicans, so they can access the social assistance programs.

Hacienda minister Vicente Bengoa and World Bank director for the Caribbean, Caroline Anstey signed the agreement in Washington DC . The government would provide US$2.6 million in matching funds.

The project will contribute to rehabilitate and modernize the Office of the Civil Registrar, provide technical assistance and operate three mobile Civil Registrar offices. It will also provide legal support for the Justice Ministry and the Supreme Court, to improve the efficiency in issuing cedulas.

Through the “Social Protection Project” the coverage, focalization and effectiveness of the public social protection programs will be improved.

The World Bank had approved the loan on August 2 and the Dominican Congress must now ratify it. It has a 17 year term with a 5 year grace period.

"This important loan's objective is to include the poorest Dominicans," Anstey said.

The project is part of the "Assistance Strategy for the Dominican Republic ," with projected credits of up to US$360 million between 2006 and 2009.