DISUR Projects and Initiatives for South Puerto Rico
DISUR Projects and Initiatives for South Puerto Rico
The Alliance for Comprehensive Development of the South (DISUR) is a launching point and a catalyst for various projects and initiatives for the socioeconomic development of southern Puerto Rico.A partial list of DISUR's projects and initiatives includes the following:
- Center for Regional Competitiveness, Investment and Export
- Regional Information and Education Portal (www.disur.org)
- Port-ECO: Port Integrated Ecosystem Southern Region
- Center of Excellence in International Port and Logistics Engineering
- Regional Development and Tourism Excellence Pole
- Internationalization and Expansion of Mercedita Airport
- Management of Municipal Projects
- Center for Management and Regional Promotion
- Techno-Agricultural Park
- Center for Training and Instruction in Private and Public Safety
- Regional Solid Waste Management Program and Use of Alternative Energy Sources
- System of Collective Transport Regional (Southern Rail)
- Regional Broadband Communication
- Air Dance DISUR - New Regional Airline
- Distribution Hub for Costa Rica
- RGIV Limited
- Poultry Project
- Portfolio of the South
DISUR - Ready for Investors
As a whole, the DISUR region has much to offer potential investors and business partners.
DISUR has an excellent academic infrastructure in place. People who work here, also live here, eliminating long commutes. Some 50 high technology businesses are located in the area, 40 percent of which produce chemical products.
The public sector has committed to the development of the region's logistical infrastructure with Port of the Americas, a deep water transshipment port; Zona Libre del Sur, a free-trade zone; and Porta Caribe, a regional tourism initiative. Combined, these factors create a solid base for a diversified economy with a broad base of industrial sectors.
The region is able to offer better business incentives than some parts of Puerto Rico due to Administrative Order 09-001 of the Department of Economic Development and Trade of Puerto Rico. The order identifies the majority of the DISUR region as a Zone with a high potential for industrial development.
DISUR has a variety of core competencies, as well, that provide a strong base for future economic development. For example, the municipalities of Ponce, Guayama, Santa Isabel, Jayuya and Villalba create more jobs in the manufacturing sector than other municipalities in the region. In these municipalities there is potential to develop supply chain, distribution, transportation, communication and technology due to the strong industrial base.
Whereas in Salinas, Juana Díaz, Patillas, Santa Isabel, Coamo, Ponce, and Peñuelas there exists a strong agricultural and agro industrial base, making for a powerful potential for job creation. Here there are lands being under-utilized and there is the potential to strengthen the production of livestock and include value-added activities related to agriculture. Access to new agricultural technologies and financial infrastructure could strongly benefit the region.
For the expansion of the tourism sector, the majority of municipalities in the region could offer tourist attractions, expanding on a strong base already existing in Ponce, Guánica, Jayuya, and Adjuntas. The development of tourism circuits into the mountainous areas of the region, along with developing the capacity of tourism employees would further enhance the region's rich cultural offerings for tourists.
For these and other reason, DISUR is an ideal place to live and work.
