The ceremony for laying the foundation stone of the new "Convention Center and of Documentation of the BRH" was held last Thursday in the downtown Port-au-Prince on the old property "La Madeleine", of the Soeurs de la Providence, located in front of the headquarters of the Central Bank. Was present at this ceremony the President René Préval, businessmen, representatives of the diplomatic and Government officials including the Minister of economy and finance, Ronald Baudin.

This Convention Center with an area for 3.939 m2 will accommodate:

• Seven conference rooms

• A library where students and researchers can consult books and documents

• The Currency Museum (open to public)

• Administrative offices

• A cafeteria

Charles Castel, Governor for the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) stated that "This center will provide to the lower town, a fundamental infrastructure for documentation and in terms of capacity of meetings."

The model of a monument dedicated to the memory of the disappeared of the earthquake of January 2010, which will be placed in the lobby of the Convention Center, will be realized (in marble and bronze) by the sculptor Ludovic Booz.

The Governor said that the tender launched in August 2010, locally and internationally, as required by the law on public procurement was won by the Dominican company "Constructora Mar". This company will be responsible for carrying out the work that will last 22 months for a cost of $14.9MM.

René Préval said that the money for the construction of the Convention Center will be fully paid by the public Treasury.

HL/ HaitiLibre