DR consolidates as the new investment capital for LATAM, Yayo highlights in Miami

The Dominican Republic and the United States are making progress in building integrated, resilient, and competitive supply chains. This is due to the competitive advantages, macroeconomic stability, and favorable investment climate offered by the country, as highlighted by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Mipymes (MICM), Eduardo -Yayo- Sanz Lovatón, during his participation in the “Americas Perspectives 2026” conference. “Today we compete as platforms, not as isolated countries,” said Sanz Lovatón, noting that the Dominican Republic offers geographical proximity, industrial capacity, clear rules, logistical strength, competitive talent, and institutional stability, elements that position it as a key partner of the United States and as an attractive hub for investments in Latin America and the Caribbean in this process. In his presentation at the panel “Navigating Logistics: Opening Opportunities in the Western Hemisphere,” organized by the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America and the Caribbean (AACCLA), of the United States Chamber of Commerce, the minister stated that the Dominican Republic is a strategic supplier to the U.S. market.

Trade between DR and the US.

In that sense, he detailed that trade between the Dominican Republic and the United States in 2025 amounted to US$18.977 billion, with a year-on-year growth of 2.7%. Of that total, Dominican exports reached US$7.124 billion, while imports from the U.S. totaled US$11.8529 billion. Likewise, he explained that the Dominican Republic is the DR-CAFTA country with which the United States maintains the largest trade surplus. Between 2015 and 2024, the U.S. accumulated a surplus with the Dominican Republic exceeding US$42 billion, which means that “the Dominican Republic contributes to reducing the U.S. trade deficit.” Referring to free trade zones, he stated that currently 860 companies operate in 97 parks in the country, which generate more than 200,000 direct jobs, consolidating as one of the main drivers of economic growth. Their exports in 2025 reached a historic high of US$8,604 million (US$6,319.4 million to the U.S.), with an accumulated investment of US$7,735 million, of which 29.8% is of U.S. origin. Medical devices, electrical switches and fine jewelry continue to be the main exported goods. The official also highlighted that foreign direct investment reached US$5,032.3 million at the end of 2025, representing an increase of US$509.1 million (11.3%) compared to 2024. “This capacity reflects the strength of the country’s fundamentals, in addition to the government’s strong support for foreign investment,” said the minister.

Connectivity

Another advantage mentioned by Sanz Lovatón is that the Dominican Republic guarantees a fast and efficient connection with the main markets, by having eight international airports and connectivity with 71 countries and 410 destinations. “Under the vision of President Luis Abinader, the Dominican Republic consolidates its position as a regional industrial and logistics hub, with 380,000 m² operational and 546,000 m² under construction”. A significant step forward highlighted by the official was the country’s exclusion from the Watch List of the 2024 Special 301 Report, published by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which improves the protection of intellectual property rights and strengthens the regulatory framework. During his presentation, the minister also cited initiatives such as “Export More”, “24-hour Office” and “Zero Bureaucracy”, which have simplified processes and created a more favorable environment for business, by eliminating unnecessary barriers and accelerating decision-making in coordination with the private sector, positioning the country as a model of agility and efficiency. Finally, he emphasized that the next steps between the United States and the Dominican Republic will be to “continue growing together,” with the aim of expanding nearshoring in key sectors, integrating more local companies and SMEs into North American value chains, further improving logistics and trade facilitation, and strengthening the National Strategy for the Promotion of the Semiconductor Industry (ENFIS). Minister Sanz Lovatón shared the panel with Ralph Cutie, Executive Director of Miami International Airport, and Basil Khalil, Vice President of Operations for FedEx Express Latin America and the Caribbean.

About AACCLA

The Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America and the Caribbean (AACCLA) is an organization affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that brings together the AmChams of 27 countries in the continent. Together, it represents more than 20,000 companies and executives that channel a significant part of U.S. investment in the region. Its mission is to promote free trade, open markets, and free enterprise as engines of economic and social development, acting as a strategic bridge between the private sector and the Government of the United States.