Yayo projects RD as a reliable partner for regional trade at the CAF 2026 forum

Within the framework of a global economic scenario redefined by the reconfiguration of supply chains, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and SMEs (MICM), Eduardo -Yayo- Sanz Lovatón, positioned the Dominican Republic as the most reliable and strategic trading partner in the Caribbean, during his participation in the Latin America and the Caribbean 2026 International Economic Forum. While intervening in the high-level technical table "Trade in a Fragmented World: Opportunities for Latin America and the Caribbean", organized by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), the official highlighted that the Dominican response to global uncertainty has been a clear State policy: institutionalism, trade openness and industrial modernization. "In a fragmented world, capital not only seeks profitability, it seeks refuge and allies with shared values. Under the vision of President Luis Abinader, the Dominican Republic has gone from being an investment destination to becoming a world-class Logistics Hub and a safe platform for nearshoring and friend-shoring," affirmed Sanz Lovatón before global leaders.

"We are not just talking about assembly; we are talking about integrating the Dominican Republic into the most sophisticated value chains on the planet, such as medical devices and semiconductors. This is synonymous with higher quality jobs and technology transfer," he emphasized.

Sanz Lovatón shared the panel with key figures in world trade, which reaffirms the specific weight of the country in the regional discussion. Among the panelists were Antoni Estevadeordal, from the Georgetown Americas Institute; Luz María de la Mora (UNCTAD); Elvire Fabry, from the Jacques Delors Institute in Paris; and Fukunari Kimura, from IDE-JETRO. The minister concluded by pointing out that the country's participation in these forums is not just for protocol, but strategic: "We are here to project a Dominican Republic that is no longer a spectator, but a protagonist in the solutions that the region needs to grow."

About the CAF Forum 2026

The event, held from January 28th to 29th, brought together heads of state, ministers, and business leaders to discuss the region's challenges, seeking to build competitiveness and inclusion solutions. CAF, made up of 24 countries and private banks, acts as a catalyst for sustainable development and regional integration.