Banking & Policy: The Association of Commercial Banks of the Dominican Republic backed President Abinader’s appointment of Víctor Cedeño Brea as Superintendent of Banks, saying it will keep regulatory reforms moving. Central Banking & FX: The Central Bank set the dollar at RD$56.97 (buy) and RD$59.63 (sell), while the euro was RD$66.01 (buy) and RD$70.29 (sell), with the local currency showing longer-term appreciation. Investment Outlook: JPMorgan signaled interest in expanding in the DR after talks with the Central Bank, pointing to renewed growth and strong FDI momentum. Telecom Competition: President Abinader said Viettel will bring competition to the DR telecom market, and Viettel’s Qualcomm partnership targets Open RAN 5G commercialization. Tourism & Real Estate: Punta Bergantín in Puerto Plata generated nearly US$30M in sales in one weekend, with Meliá and Hyatt expected to add 1,000+ hotel rooms. Cruise Activity: Celebrity Beyond arrived in Puerto Plata with 3,224 passengers as September cruise calls ramp up. Regional Trade Link: AMCHAMDR praised U.S. approval to extend Haiti’s HOPE/HELP programs, highlighting the DR’s role in the garment supply chain. Security Watch (Haiti): Two South Korean workers kidnapped in Haiti were released after about a month, with the embassy in the DR coordinating with Haitian authorities. Visa Rules Question: A reader flagged confusion over 2026 Residence Visa RS criteria, noting conflicting guidance between the UK consulate and Santo Domingo processing.