Bill submitted to merge Economy and Finance Ministries

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican government has introduced a bill to the Senate aiming to merge the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (MEPYD) with the Ministry of Finance. This initiative, submitted by Legal Consultant Antoliano Peralta, Public Administration Minister Sigmund Freund, and State Reform Commissioner Darío Castillo, is part of President Luis Abinader’s broader plan to modernize and streamline public administration.

The proposed Ministry of Finance and Economy would become the central authority over national public finances and public planning and investment systems. It would oversee macroeconomic policy, sustainable development planning, and efforts to promote social, economic, territorial, and institutional cohesion. The new ministry would include vice ministries dedicated to treasury, public assets, budgeting, fiscal policy, public credit, and economic planning.

If the bill is enacted, responsibilities currently held by the Ministry of Economy will be transferred to the Ministry of the Presidency. The new entity would also oversee several key government bodies, including the General Directorate of Customs, the Internal Revenue Directorate, and the Superintendency of Insurance.