Dominican leader bets on bananas for jobs, revenue

MONTECRISTI, Dominican Republic.- President Danilo Medina yesterday ordered the country’s biggest banana project to resume operations, aimed at making it the region’s largest source of jobs and wealth.

The Head of State made a surprise visit to the agribusiness facility La Cruz de Manzanillo, Montecristi (northwest) where he discussed the project with producers and executives. "Our purpose is to again make the La Cruz de Manzanillo project into a major source of wealth and jobs for all inhabitants of the area."

Medina, who said the decision fulfills a campaign promise also visited nearby Montecristi where he spoke with residents who were reportedly surprised by his simplicity, and approached him without hindrance from his bodyguards.

La Cruz de Manzanillo’s producers and executives hailed Medina’s decision, according to a statement from the National Palace yesterday.