President Luis Abinader invited Italian companies to invest in the Dominican Republic, highlighting opportunities arising from the complementarity between Italian technology and industry and the country’s productive sectors.
Speaking at the Italy-Dominican Republic Business Meeting at Villa Madama in Rome alongside Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Abinader said the two countries’ close relationship can translate into increased investment, trade and joint ventures.
The president highlighted the Dominican Republic’s political and legal stability, diversified economy and access to international markets as key advantages for foreign investors. He projected 4.5% economic growth this year and said the government and private sector are working to double the size of the economy by 2036.
Abinader pointed to tourism, free trade zones, manufacturing, technology, logistics and mining as areas with investment potential. He projected 12.4 million to 12.5 million visitors this year and noted that tourism projects can benefit from tax incentives under Dominican regulations.
He also highlighted the growth of free trade zones, particularly in the production of medical devices and electronic equipment, as well as plans to develop a semiconductor industry. He cited potential opportunities in rare earth elements in the country’s south, with an international report on mineral reserves expected in December.
The president also highlighted Google’s investment in Dominican digital infrastructure, which he estimated at around US$600 million, as part of efforts to strengthen connectivity and position the country as a digital hub for the Caribbean and Central America.
Abinader said the Dominican Republic’s ports, airports and geographic location make it a strategic logistics platform for companies seeking access to markets in the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe. He also cited the Zero Bureaucracy program as an effort to simplify administrative procedures and facilitate business development.
The president proposed holding a follow-up business meeting in the Dominican Republic to turn the contacts established in Italy into concrete investment projects and reiterated his interest in strengthening Italy’s role as a strategic partner in the country’s economic development.