PRIME Minister Andrew Holness left the island last evening for an official visit to the Dominican Republic.

Holness, according to a Jamaica House release, will hold a series of meetings with President Danilo Medina and representatives from the private sector.The meetings, said the release, are geared towards strengthening bilateral ties between both countries and to explore mutually beneficial investment opportunities.“Arising from the Dominican Republic’s offer of assistance to share knowledge and ideas on infrastructure development, Mr Holness will tour the Juan Bosch Housing Project,” Jamaica House said.The prime minister’s delegation includes Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism; and Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade. Also accompanying the prime minister are Senator Aubyn Hill, Ambassador Nigel Clarke and Robert Morgan, director of communications in the Office of the Prime Minister.Holness and his delegation will return to the island on Wednesday. While he is off the island, Dr Horace Chang, minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, will be in charge of the Government.