<h6><strong>The Diplomat</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The Dominican Republic's Minister of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs, Ito Bisonó, has asserted that his country has circumvented the White House's new tariffs by opening an official channel of dialogue with Washington, allowing it to be, at the same time, "a reliable partner for the United States and a gateway for Europe to access other markets."</strong></h4> Bisonó made these statements during the CEOE business meeting "Dominican Republic: Strategic Caribbean Platform for Spanish Investment," held this past Tuesday as part of the Ibero-American Key Conference Series. The event was opened by Miguel Garrido, First Vice President of CEOE and President of CEIM, and Jaime Montalvo, International Director of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce. The Dominican Republic's Ambassador to Spain, Tony Raful Tejada, also spoke. In his speech, Bisonó asserted that the country has overcome significant challenges in recent years and has established itself as a stable, modern, and strategic economy in the region. “The Dominican Republic has undergone a profound transformation. Today, we are a competitive country, with growth of around 5% in 2024, positioning us as a regional leader in Latin America,” he emphasized. He also indicated that key sectors, such as free trade zones and local manufacturing, grew by 4.3%, as did others such as construction and services. Currently, free trade zones represent 67% of national exports, consolidating their position as a pillar of economic development. Bisonó attributed this performance to a strong policy of public-private partnerships, which has strengthened the country's position in a world that demands more reliable and resilient supply chains. “We have eight international airports and more than 180 daily flights, which allow for seamless connections to major global markets. We also have the sixth-best port connectivity in the region, modern infrastructure, and an efficient institutional framework,” he stated. As examples of this strategic vision, he mentioned initiatives such as the Logistics Centers Law, the Manzanillo industrial and logistics project, and the Punta Cana Free Trade Zone, which will expand air connectivity with more than 300 cities worldwide. Added to this is the port expansion and airport modernization, which reinforce the country's position as a regional logistics hub. Finally, the minister highlighted the investment opportunities available in key sectors on the island, such as energy, free trade zones, agribusiness, and tourism, and emphasized that the Dominican Republic is consolidating its position as an ideal platform for accessing third-party markets and establishing industrial and commercial operations. “We are a natural bridge between North America, Central America, and Europe,” he stated. According to the minister, the European Union was the second destination for Dominican exports in 2024, while the United States remains the main economic partner. Bisonó also highlighted the country's swift response to the announcement of new tariffs, through the strengthening of the public-private partnership and the opening of an official dialogue channel with the United States. "We have reaffirmed our commitment to economic growth and trade openness. The Dominican Republic is a reliable partner for the United States and a gateway for Europe to access other markets," he concluded. He also highlighted Spain's role as a strategic ally, with an investment of $6 billion between 1993 and 2023, and expressed his desire to continue expanding this relationship to sectors such as the digital economy, agribusiness, advanced manufacturing, and technological infrastructure, among many others.
