According to the World Investment Report, FDI fell by 11% globally in 2024, yet in the Caribbean it grew by 21%, driven mainly by increased investment in the Dominican Republic.
SANTO DOMINGO – “The Dominican Republic has become the epicenter of confidence in Latin America,” stated President Luis Abinader, attributing this to the climate of political stability, legal security, and strategic vision that has strengthened the attraction of foreign direct investment to the country.
During the meeting with the press, La Semanal, at the National Palace, Biviana Riveiro, the director of ProDominicana, presented the report RD: a destination of opportunities, confidence and growth, in which she showed the data that support the president's statement.
The president asserted that the country is advancing as one of the most attractive territories for FDI, which has boosted tourism development, real estate expansion, and the development of strategic infrastructure.
From hotel complexes in Miches to convention centers in Santo Domingo, the dynamism of construction responds to a growing demand for tourist experiences, residential spaces and commercial platforms, and in turn, the real estate sector is diversifying, with investments that are betting on coastal, urban and emerging areas.
And all this within a global context of uncertainty, due to political tensions, global conflicts, and reduced investor confidence. According to the World Investment Report, cited by Ribeiro, FDI fell by 11% globally in 2024; however, in the Caribbean it grew by 21% , driven primarily by increased investment in the Dominican Republic.
The country is advancing as one of the most attractive territories for FDI, which has boosted tourism development, real estate expansion and the development of strategic infrastructure.
These productive sectors have shown clear signs of sustained growth, with projects that transform the country's economic and territorial landscape, not only boosting the economy, but also transforming the urban and coastal landscape, enabling new centers, generating employment and attracting international capital in a context of growing confidence.
Riveiro also highlighted in his presentation that, internationally, the Dominican Republic represents the most valuable country brand in Central America , according to the Global Soft Power Index, 2025, and is the leading destination for Foreign Direct Investment projects in renewable energy and tourism, according to fDi Markets, 2024.
The president also asserted that the environment of trust and stability has favored real estate development, and the link between tourism investment, infrastructure and land appreciation is generating opportunities for residential, commercial and corporate projects, in the face of growing demand and urban transformation.
Regional leader in tourism
Dominican tourism is positioned in first place, leading in the region, with 11.2 million visitors by air and sea in 2024, 48% more than in 2019, and revenues of USD$10,974 million, the highest figure recorded in the history of the country.
That same year, the sector generated 399,620 direct and indirect jobs and reached a hotel occupancy rate of 76.4%. Between January and September 2025, arrivals totaled 8.6 million visitors, 2.6% more than in the same period of the previous year.
As part of the overall assessment of foreign direct investment, President Abinader highlighted the robustness of the country's connectivity system, which includes 8 international airports , 17 cruise terminals and cargo ports, more than 135,000 commercial flights, more than 370 daily flights, more than 375 air operators, and 19 million passengers registered between arrivals and departures.
This infrastructure positions the Dominican Republic as a first-rate logistics and tourism hub in the region, and reinforces the conditions for real estate development linked to tourism, business and international investment, which at the end of 2024 was estimated at USD60.87 billion.
Finally, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and SMEs, Víctor “Ito” Bisonó, highlighted that the new National Investment Plan promotes innovative sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, aeronautical and aerospace industry, automotive, electronics, logistics and distribution centers and life sciences, in addition to traditional sectors such as agro-industry, renewable energies, solid waste management, mining, tourism, film industry and real estate.
This plan is aligned with the National Development Strategy 2030, the Digital Agenda 2030 and the National Innovation Policy.
