According to MIVHED, 878 projects were received between January and June, 13% more than the 775 registered during the same period in 2025
SANTO DOMINGO.– Just a year ago, the Ministry of Housing and Buildings (MIVHED) had approved private projects worth RD$128,476 million during the first half of 2025. Twelve months later, that figure has practically doubled: between January and June 2026, the construction permits issued support projected investments of RD$330,191 million, a year-on-year growth of 157%, according to the institution.
Beyond the amount, the behavior of permits reflects a faster pace of construction activity. According to MIVHED , 921 building permits were issued during the first half of the year , compared to 512 granted during the same period last year, representing an 80% increase .
In its statement, the institution attributed these results to the modernization process of permitting, aimed at streamlining procedures without reducing the technical controls required for buildings.
More permits, more projects
The dynamism was also reflected in the number of initiatives that entered the evaluation system.
According to MIVHED, 878 projects, 13% more than the 775 registered during the same period in 2025. For the institution, this behavior demonstrates that developers and investors continue to submit new proposals, driven by more efficient administrative processes and greater predictability in response times.
The ministry explained that each license issued represents the preliminary step for a project to formally begin its execution, mobilizing resources towards sectors such as construction, engineering, architecture and the materials supply chain.
Permitting as an economic indicator
Although it is often perceived as a purely administrative process, the issuance of licenses serves as one of the first indicators of the future behavior of the construction sector.
Before a residential tower, commercial complex, or industrial project reaches the construction stage, it must complete the technical review process and obtain the corresponding permits. Therefore, a higher volume of permits typically anticipates increased investment, job creation, and economic activity related to construction.
In this regard, the MIVHED stated that strengthening the permitting process aims to offer more agile, transparent, and efficient processes, creating better conditions for the development of private projects without compromising the structural safety of the works.
The commitment to reducing times without sacrificing controls
The head of MIVHED, Víctor (Ito) Bisonó, stated that when administrative processes become more agile and transparent, investment finds more favorable conditions to move forward.
According to the institution, the strategy seeks to streamline internal procedures, strengthen technical rigor, and facilitate the development of new projects that contribute to the country's economic growth.
A sector that maintains its dynamism
The results for the first half of the year show a positive evolution in three key indicators: the value of the investment associated with the licenses issued, the number of permits granted, and the number of projects submitted for evaluation.
For MIVHED, this combination reflects greater dynamism in the construction sector and a more confident environment for private investment, at a time when construction activity continues to be one of the main drivers of the Dominican economy.
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