SANTO DOMINGO.– The Dominican Republic presented its capabilities as an industrial, logistical and productive platform for the Caribbean and the American continent to Spanish businesspeople and authorities during the Dominican Republic-Spain Business Meeting, held at the headquarters of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE).
According to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and SMEs (MICM), the meeting brought together representatives from the public and private sectors of both countries with the aim of promoting new investment opportunities, strengthening bilateral economic relations and boosting the development of regional production chains.
During his speech, the Minister of Industry, Víctor "Yayo" Sanz Lovatón, stated that the Dominican Republic seeks to consolidate itself as a productive and logistical platform for Spanish companies interested in expanding their operations to the Caribbean and America.
"The Dominican Republic wants to be much more than a trading partner for Spain. We want to be the productive, logistical, and industrial platform from which Spanish companies can expand into the Caribbean and the Americas," the official stated.
Investment and industrial growth
According to data presented by the MICM, the country received US$5,033 million in foreign direct investment during 2025, with a significant participation from sectors such as commerce, industry and free zones.
The institution also indicated that, at the end of last year, the country had 843 companies operating in 93 free zone parks, generating more than 200,000 direct jobs and exports exceeding US$8.6 billion.
The ministry also highlighted the country's geographical location, port and airport infrastructure, and maritime and air connectivity as strategic factors for the development of industrial and logistics operations.
Semiconductors and advanced manufacturing
During the event, the minister also presented the national strategy for the development of the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industry, an initiative with which the country seeks to integrate into new global value chains through manufacturing, assembly, industrial services and specialized logistics activities.
According to the MICM, this strategy is part of the efforts to diversify the economy and attract investment in higher value-added sectors.
Business and government participation
The meeting included the participation of representatives from the National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP), ProDominicana, the National Council of Export Free Zones (CNZFE), the General Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships (DGAPP) and the General Directorate of Customs (DGA).
Representatives from Spain included those from the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, and the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX), along with businesspeople and investors interested in the Dominican market.
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