The CEO of APORDOM attributes the country's attractiveness to its political, social, and economic stability, as well as legal security and port expansion projects that seek to strengthen its international connectivity
MADRID.– Institutional stability, geographic location, and the development of port infrastructure were some of the factors that the executive director of the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM), Alejandro Campos, presented as competitive advantages of the Dominican Republic to attract foreign capital and consolidate itself as a logistics platform in the Caribbean.
During his participation in the panel "Dominican Republic, logistics hub and strategic platform for global supply chains", organized by the Spanish Logistics Center (CEL), within the framework of the Dominican Week in Spain 2026, the official stated that the country is going through a favorable moment to attract new investments.
Campos explained that the combination of political, social and economic stability, legal security and a strategic position between Europe, North America, South America and the Panama Canal makes the Dominican territory an option for companies interested in expanding their international operations.
In that context, he argued that "when a country combines social, legal and economic stability, it is among the top places to invest," while also highlighting the need to maintain clear rules and conditions that facilitate the execution of new projects.
Port infrastructure: an advantage for attracting investment
Referring to the role of ports in the national economy, Campos pointed out that these facilities constitute an essential component of Dominican foreign trade.
"Dominican ports are the cornerstone of logistics in general. Ninety percent of the cargo and goods handled in our country enter through them, including transshipment operations," he said.
He also highlighted the public-private partnership model as a tool to promote new infrastructure and expand the operational capacity of the port system.
Among the initiatives mentioned is the upcoming inauguration of the Port Samaná cruise terminal in Arroyo Barril, presented as the first infrastructure project under Law 47-20.
This project is in addition to the investments announced by DP World to expand the capacity of the Caucedo terminal, from 2.5 to 3.1 million TEUs, and the $105 million projected for the expansion of HIT Puerto Río Haina.
Legal certainty and new rules for port concessions
Furthermore, the CEO of APORDOM highlighted the institutional measures aimed at strengthening investor confidence, especially through the updating of the regulatory framework for port concessions.
“We need to consider the conditions as a country, but also those local partners who can open doors for us. The government is focused on continuing to strengthen the sector, and in that regard, we have just issued a decree establishing a new regulation for port concessions, to provide greater legal certainty and update the concession models in the country,” he stated.
Along the same lines, he considered it necessary for the authorities to support companies interested in developing projects, facilitate procedures, and guarantee predictable conditions for investment.
"We need to facilitate investment intentions, provide progressive follow-up to these projects, and also set clear rules," he added.
Port of Manzanillo and other projects to expand connectivity
Regarding strategic infrastructure, Campos identified the port of Manzanillo, in Montecristi, as one of the fundamental projects to expand the country's logistical and commercial capacity.
The project involves an approximate investment of 120 million dollars, financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and is scheduled for completion in 2027.
He also mentioned the expansions of Haina and Caucedo, the new cargo docks planned in Barahona and Azua, and the development of a multipurpose port in Boca de Yuma.
These initiatives are part of the efforts to decentralize port operations, expand maritime transport alternatives, and strengthen the connection between the different productive regions of the Dominican Republic.
Growth in cruise tourism and fishing piers
In the tourism sector, the official highlighted that the Dominican Republic went from having three to five operational cruise terminals.
As part of that growth, he noted that Cabo Rojo, in Pedernales, registered a 172% increase in the arrival of cruise passengers during 2025, a figure that reflects the development of this segment of tourism activity.
He also referred to the National Plan for Fishing and Tourist Docks, which has 21 completed facilities and another six awarded in July 2026.
The program seeks to strengthen coastal infrastructure, support fishing activities, and contribute to the economic dynamism of communities linked to the Dominican coast.
APORDOM is committed to digitalization and artificial intelligence
In addition to infrastructure investments, Campos explained that APORDOM is working on implementing a technological platform to modernize port management by leveraging data and artificial intelligence tools.
"The issue of digitalization and data is very important. We are preparing to implement a technological platform and combine it with artificial intelligence models that will allow us to have predictive data and improve decision-making in the port sector," he said.
The proposal involves using predictive information to optimize operations and facilitate the planning of activities at the terminals.
In that regard, the official stated that the goal is to consolidate, over the next five years, an integrated port system, with greater direct maritime connections with Europe and digital processes coordinated with customs, free trade zones and land transport.
Dominican Republic as a strategic partner of Spanish companies
At the conclusion of his speech, Campos reiterated that the country has the conditions to become a strategic partner for Spanish companies interested in expanding their commercial operations into the Caribbean and the American continent.
The panel was moderated by Ramón García García, general director of the Spanish Logistics Center (CEL), and also included the participation of Cristina Rodríguez Cruz, representative of the commercial area of the Port Authority of Valencia (Valenciaport); Edelmiro Iglesias, general director of the Vima Foods Group, and Manuel Machado, director of Almafrío by Vima Foods.
The meeting brought together representatives from the port, business and logistics sectors to analyze opportunities for trade integration, connectivity and investment in international supply chains.
The Dominican Republic's participation is part of efforts to project the country as a strategic platform for regional and international trade, taking advantage of its geographic location and the development of new infrastructure to attract capital and expand its trade relations.
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