Representatives of the Chinese business and commercial sector in the Dominican Republic requested support from the authorities to overcome "any obstacles" in regulatory adaptation processes, after reaffirming their commitment to transparency, in a context where the country registered US$4,512.0 million of foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024, according to the Central Bank.
Jessica Peng, a representative of the Chinese business sector, stated that "the vast majority" of companies of that origin operate in compliance with the legal, tax, and labor regulations in force in the country, and suggested that the specific cases that are still in the process of being updated can be resolved "in an amicable manner," as part of a regularization agenda that directly impacts business formality and the stability of the Dominican real estate market.
“Our mission in the Dominican Republic has always been to work honestly and contribute, through our investment, to the development of the national economy,” Peng stated, noting that the sector is willing to sit down at a dialogue table with the Government and the corresponding institutions to regularize any situation “in a harmonious and transparent manner,” within the framework of processes that usually affect licenses, registrations and the operation of businesses linked to commercial real estate.
Context
The proposal comes as the country strengthens the conversation on legal security and clear rules for foreign capital, a recurring theme for attracting investment linked to real estate projects, commerce and logistics, as addressed by El Inmobiliario in Legal security attracts real estate capital and positions the Dominican Republic as a regional destination.
In macro terms, ProDominicana reported that FDI flows in 2024 were around US$4,523.2 million, in an environment of regional competition to attract productive capital, which increases the weight of regulatory formality in expansion and permanence decisions of investors.
What the numbers say
The legal representative of the foreign investors, Ramón Peralta, stated that the sector's operations are based on the current legal framework—including the Tax Code and the General Customs Law—and requested that open channels be maintained to strengthen legal certainty and the business climate. Along these lines, the Tax Code (Law 11-92) establishes the general provisions applicable to national internal taxes, the technical basis for tax compliance as indicated by the sector.
From law to concrete
Peralta argued that the legality of tax and customs processes is key to sustaining operations that, in addition to trade, end up connecting with demand for premises, warehouses and storage facilities (rents, adaptations, permits and land use), a circuit where real estate investment usually depends on financing and documentary traceability for contracts and registrations.
On the financial front, the Superintendency of Banks reported that the financial system closed December 2025 with assets of RD$4.15 trillion and a loan portfolio of RD$2.39 trillion, figures that help to size the financing channel that affects both developers and companies that occupy or acquire commercial spaces.
Social contributions and reputational signal
In addition to the regulatory component, the sector indicated that, “so far this year” (2026), its foundation channeled contributions and donations exceeding RD$50 million, destined for institutions such as the Dominican Red Cross, Civil Defense and the Fire Department, as well as nursing homes for the elderly, orphanages and assistance programs, a line of action that seeks to reinforce reputation and operational continuity in an environment of oversight.
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