Spearheaded by former Dominican basketball player Jose Vargas, Brazillian companies are interested in investing in excess of US$100 million to bring ethanol production to the Dominican Republic. Vargas, now a prosperous businessman in Brazil, met with Industry and Commerce Ministry Director for Non-Conventional Energy Salvador Rivas and Sports Vice Minister Soterio Ramirez.

Vargas represented Brazil's Colorado Group and the company Camen who are involved in sugar cane and ethanol production in that country. He feels bringing these groups to the Dominican Republic would be highly beneficial to the economy of the nation.

For his part, Rivas comment that projects such as these are part of the Government's plans to achieve energy independence by developing agribusinesses to replace fossil fuels.

The ethanol produced would be used for local consumption as well as be exported to the United States.