AGP Executive Report

Tourism & Hospitality: The Dominican Republic wrapped its first “Dominican Week” in Belgium and the Netherlands, ending with an official reception in The Hague and new ties with partners like Wageningen University and IHE Delft, plus a business forum focused on investment, exports, the blue economy, sustainability and energy transition. Tourism Awards: The country and Secrets Playa Esmeralda won big at the 2026 Wave Awards, with the DR named Caribbean destination with highest visitor satisfaction for a third straight year and the resort taking Best New or Renovated Resort. Business Policy: President Luis Abinader met with private-sector leaders to review the national price table and coordinate steps to limit the impact of global price volatility on households and the economy. Social Protection: Government and UNDP launched parametric insurance for Supérate households, starting with 3,030 vulnerable families in Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo Norte against heavy rains and hurricanes. Finance & Development: APAP said it will invest RD$131 million in 2026 social projects across education, health, employability and entrepreneurship. Trade & Security: U.S. authorities reported a major cargo crime case involving cocaine concealed in flatbread shipped from the Dominican Republic to Canada. Aviation Tragedy: A U.S.-registered Gulfstream G200 crashed near La Romana during an emergency landing attempt, killing two American pilots; no passengers were aboard. Bilateral Commerce: Israel relaunched the Dominican-Israeli Chamber of Commerce to boost investment, partnerships and cooperation. Digital Skills: DR’s Vocational Schools of the Armed Forces and National Police won top honors at the Latam Digital Awards 2026 for digital transformation in education and government services. Tech & Work: A proposal letter argues the DR should build a unified digital nomad and remote-work policy to capture a $400B+ global market. Sports & Culture: Infotep hosted a hospitality masterclass with chefs from Spain’s Balearic Islands, strengthening tourism training ties.

Price Volatility Watch: President Luis Abinader met with CONEP, AIRD, ONEC, ÚNASE and agribusiness leaders to review the national price table and coordinate steps to cushion Dominican consumers from global oil and gas swings. Tourism Recognition: The Dominican Republic and Secrets Playa Esmeralda won top honors at the 2026 Wave Awards, with the country named Caribbean destination for visitor satisfaction for a third straight year. Aviation Safety Shock: A U.S.-registered Gulfstream G200 crashed during an emergency landing attempt near La Romana, killing both American pilots; Yadier Molina said the flight was headed to Texas to pick him up and his family. Sports & Talent Pipeline: FIVB’s female coach initiative is gaining traction at VNL 2026, with Dominican Republic among the teams registering a female coach. Energy Transition: Energy Minister Joel Santos said non-conventional renewable generation could reach 2,600 MW by 2028, with about 2,000 MW already in production and 200 MW of storage ready by end-2026. Climate Diplomacy: The DR will chair UNFCCC SBSTA 64, with Dr. Carol Franco leading technical negotiations in Bonn. Financial Integrity Alert: The Superintendency of Banks warned the public about a fake “Pro Renta” investment platform. Gambling Crackdown Pressure: Fenabanca says lottery betting moves over RD$400 million daily and blames illegal betting shops for the surge, calling for stronger enforcement.

Renewables Push: Energy Minister Joel Santos says the DR is already near 2,000 MW of non-conventional renewable power and expects about 2,600 MW by 2028, with major investment and storage projects aimed at stabilizing peak hours. Climate Diplomacy: The Dominican Republic will chair UNFCCC’s SBSTA 64 session in Bonn, with Minister Paíno Henríquez calling it recognition of the country’s technical leadership. Fraud Watch: The Superintendency of Banks warns the public about a fake “Pro Renta” investment platform that imitates official branding. Trade & Tariffs: U.S. USTR proposes new Section 301 forced-labor tariffs affecting 60 economies, a move that could matter for DR exporters as stakeholders weigh comments and exemptions. Aviation Shock: A U.S.-registered Gulfstream G200 crashed during an emergency landing at La Romana, killing both pilots; the flight was reportedly headed to Texas to pick up Yadier Molina. Food & Industry: Abinader met with commercial, industrial, business, and agricultural sectors to coordinate actions to cushion international price volatility, including oil and gas. Air Connectivity: Iberojet launches direct Barcelona–Punta Cana flights starting June 21 for summer 2026. Road Funding: RD Vial reports toll collections of RD$5.78B in Jan–May 2026, supporting major road works nationwide.

Aviation Tragedy: A US-registered Gulfstream G200 crashed during an emergency return to La Romana International Airport, erupting into a massive fireball after skidding off the runway; Dominican authorities and investigators (IDAC/CIAA) have launched a probe into the mechanical emergency reported about 16 nautical miles southwest, with both crew members killed and no passengers onboard. Air Connectivity: Iberojet will launch direct Barcelona–Punta Cana flights starting June 21, weekly on Sundays through September, adding to its Madrid and Lisbon routes ahead of the 2026 summer season. Payments & AI Commerce: Banco Santa Cruz joined Visa’s “Agentic Ready” program to help banks prepare for AI-agent initiated payments using tokenization, identity and risk controls. Road Funding: RD Vial reported toll collections of RD$5.78B from January–May 2026, supporting road works including the Navarrete Bypass and other major infrastructure projects. Public Policy & Business: President Abinader reiterated government support for the flour industry to help stabilize bread costs, while Conep pushed back against a proposed 10% U.S. tariff tied to forced-labor concerns. Urban Mobility: Santo Domingo’s Metro Line 2C will remove the mandatory train transfer at Franklin Mieses station, letting riders continue to María Montez. Tech Workforce: ITLA held its 20th graduation with 642 new professionals, including new Semiconductor and Tech degrees aimed at the AI-era job market. Labor Equity Tech: CONTONO said salary transparency can’t be handled as a one-off report and must be a recurring HR process after more than 20 pay-transparency diagnostics. Environment & Tourism Pressure: Sargassum has intensified along key beaches like Boca Chica and Guayacanes, affecting visitors and local beach businesses.

Aviation & Safety: Two crew members died after a U.S.-registered Gulfstream G200 crashed while returning for an emergency landing at La Romana International Airport; IDAC says the aircraft declared an emergency about 16 nautical miles southwest of the airport, and an investigation is underway. Tourism Impact: Sargassum seaweed is piling up on major beaches in Boca Chica and Guayacanes, hurting vendors and beach operators as decomposing algae keeps visitors away. Governance & Risk: Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks the Dominican Republic among the lowest-scoring Caribbean countries, a signal investors watch for governance risk. Tech & Education: PUCMM students won the Grand Prize in the Computing category at the Huawei ICT Global Competition 2025-2026, marking a first for Latin America and the Caribbean in that track. Local Business Policy: A bill dubbed “Safe Helmet RD” would incentivize use of approved motorcycle helmets by cutting ITBIS and import duties on homologated models and enabling subsidies for lower-income riders. Connectivity & Travel Demand: Canada’s tourism to the DR is strengthening, with the Tourism Ministry citing 1.1M+ Canadian visitors in 2025 and Quebec as a key source market.

Tech & Education: PUCMM students won the Grand Prize in the Computing track at Huawei’s ICT Global Competition 2025-2026, a first for Latin America and the Caribbean, spotlighting Dominican talent on a global stage. Public Safety: Lightning protection specialists warn that DR fatalities often come from people’s exposure during storms, urging stronger adoption of technical standards and basic sheltering behavior. Tourism Demand: Dominican tourism is seeing a boost from Canada, with Minister David Collado citing 1.1M Canadian visitors in 2025 and highlighting Quebec and Ontario as key source markets. Aviation & Business: U.S. low-cost carrier Breeze Airways targets an IPO in 2027 and is pushing international routes that include the Dominican Republic, signaling continued airline interest in DR connectivity. Road Safety Policy: Deputies will study a bill to incentivize “Safe Helmet RD” use, including tax and import-duty exemptions for homologated helmets and possible subsidies for workers like motorcycle taxi drivers. Energy Infrastructure: ETED scheduled preventive maintenance at the Los Mina substation, with planned outages across Santo Domingo Este communities. Trade & Compliance Risk: A U.S. forced-labor investigation focus raises concerns about how compliance could affect Dominican exports and business access.

AI in Education: Tabuga and Chile’s National Center for Artificial Intelligence (CENIA) are bringing an “AI adoption in education” webinar series to Dominican TV, airing Sundays on CDN Channel 37, aiming to help teachers and schools manage AI use with practical, region-based guidance. Road Safety Policy: A Chamber of Deputies bill would push “Safe Helmet RD” by cutting ITBIS and import duties on homologated motorcycle helmets, with possible subsidies for lower-income riders and delivery workers. Energy & Grid Reliability: ETED scheduled preventive maintenance at the 69 kV Los Mina substation, requiring a planned power interruption in multiple Santo Domingo Este communities. Electricity Safety Tips: Edeeste reminded families during school holidays to keep kids from flying kites near power lines and to avoid unsafe charging practices. Trade & Exports: Gold continues to support Dominican export earnings and tax revenues in 2026, while forced-labor concerns could affect trade flows. Business Diplomacy: The Dominican Republic and the Netherlands boosted economic and logistics ties during a forum in The Hague, including a Port of Rotterdam visit. Aviation Watch: Aerodom denied reports of cable theft at Las Américas, saying operations and safety are normal.

U.S. forced-labor tariffs: The USTR proposed 10%–12.5% Section 301 tariffs on 60 economies for failing to block forced-labor imports, with the Dominican Republic included—though some CAFTA-DR textiles/apparel and other categories are exempt. Business response: CONEP says the probe is broad (not a direct accusation) and highlights ongoing dialogue with Dominican authorities and the private sector. Mining and exports: Gold exports are surging in 2026, lifting mining tax collections and boosting state revenues. Energy infrastructure: ETED scheduled preventive maintenance at the Los Mina substation in Santo Domingo Este, with planned outages affecting nearby communities. Electric safety: Edeeste urged families to keep kids from flying kites near power lines and to avoid using devices while charging in unsafe conditions. Regional trade push: The DR and the Netherlands held a logistics/blue economy/innovation forum in The Hague to deepen economic and commercial ties. Tourism and culture: Jarabacoa’s 15th Flower Festival runs through June 7, drawing thousands and spotlighting local entrepreneurship and ecotourism. Airports: Aerodom denied cable-theft reports at Las Américas, saying operations and safety are normal.

Trade & Exports: The U.S. Trade Representative proposed new Section 301 tariffs tied to forced-labor enforcement, with potential 10%–12.5% duties across 60 economies—an issue that could directly affect Dominican exports to the U.S., especially free-zone supply chains. Business Advocacy: The National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP) says the probe isn’t a direct accusation and that Dominican authorities are in dialogue with U.S. counterparts to address concerns. Economic Diplomacy: The Dominican Republic and the Netherlands boosted ties at a business forum in The Hague focused on logistics connectivity, the blue economy, and innovation. Investment Promotion: ProDominicana will recognize top foreign investors at the Americas Investment Forum 2026 on July 1, highlighting job creation and sector growth. Agribusiness: Expo Mango 2026 in Baní points to near 10 million boxes of mango exports this year, driven by producers and modernization. Infrastructure & Water: President Abinader urged Latin America and the Caribbean to treat water and sanitation as a top development priority, citing major DR investments for coastal and tourist cities. Energy/Utilities Safety: Edeeste reminded families to avoid flying kites near power lines and to use safe charging practices during school holidays.

Visa & Travel Policy: Curaçao’s economic minister met Dominican FM Roberto Álvarez and signed an agreement aimed at removing the visa requirement for Dominican visitors—an expected boost for tourism, trade, and connectivity. Water & Sanitation Investment: President Abinader urged Latin America and the Caribbean to treat water and sanitation as a top development priority, citing public health, tourism, and climate resilience benefits tied to major DR water projects. Mango Exports: DR is on track to export nearly 10 million boxes of mangoes in 2026, with the sector highlighting jobs, rural development, and expanding U.S. market opportunities. Forced-Labor Trade Risk: The U.S. is scrutinizing DR under forced-labor trade rules, raising the stakes for exports to the DR’s biggest market and potential tariff costs—while also creating nearshoring pressure on competitors. Diplomacy & Security: DR and Belgium held their first bilateral political consultations, covering trade, agribusiness, academic exchange, and security cooperation. Tourism Demand Signals: Virgin Voyages announced new 2028 Caribbean sailings that include Puerto Plata, pointing to continued interest in DR as a cruise stop. Banking Growth Story: JMMB’s banking expansion in the region (including the Dominican Republic) is gaining traction even as profits fell, driven by deposit growth and higher banking contribution.

Aviation & Trade Connectivity: Curaçao’s economic development minister met Dominican aviation officials and airlines to expand air links and position Curaçao as a Caribbean hub, aiming to boost tourism and business travel. Port & Logistics Investment: DP World is adding US$100M to expand the Caucedo free zone at the Dominican Republic’s port, strengthening logistics capacity. Consumer Protection Leadership: The Dominican Republic wrapped up its ICPEN presidency, handing the role to Georgia after highlighting stronger cross-border consumer enforcement and digital-market protections. U.S. Tariffs Risk for DR Exports: The U.S. proposed Section 301 forced-labor tariffs covering 60 economies; the Dominican Republic is listed in the 12.5% tier, putting additional costs pressure on trade flows. State Execution Style: Coverage highlights President Luis Abinader’s “permanent presence” strategy—frequent tours across all provinces and the National District to supervise and accelerate public works. Fraud Case in the U.S.: A Dominican national in Massachusetts was indicted for allegedly using a stolen identity to obtain about $30K in unemployment benefits and about $14K in SNAP benefits. Tourism & Culture: The DR will host the 2026 Dominican Book and Culture Festival in New York (July 10–12), featuring literature, entrepreneurship, and diaspora-focused programming.

Aviation & Trade Links: Curaçao’s Economic Development Minister Roderick Middelhof met Dominican aviation officials and airlines to expand air connectivity and position Curaçao as a Caribbean hub for tourism, business travel and regional links. Tourism & Environment: The Dominican Tourism Ministry delivered 42 pieces of heavy equipment to Boca Chica—30 trucks, six tractors and six beach sweepers—to speed up sargassum cleanup and protect the beach-driven economy. Cocoa Exports: The Dominican Republic showcased its premium cocoa at a Brussels forum, highlighting progress on the “Dominican Cocoa” geographical indication seal aimed at boosting global recognition and market value. Air Connectivity to Europe: ITA Airways launched direct Rome–Santo Domingo flights, starting Nov. 30 with weekly service and expanding to two weekly flights from Dec. 14. US Trade Pressure: The U.S. proposed new Section 301 tariffs on 60 economies over forced-labor enforcement failures, with the Dominican Republic named among those affected—raising the risk of higher import costs. Baseball Infrastructure Plan: A Dominican commission recommended a new MLB-standard stadium in Santo Domingo (20,000–21,000 seats) to replace Quisqueya Juan Marichal for official MLB games. Social Security Improvements: DIDA recognized 31 initiatives from 15 entities with a “Good Practices in Social Security” award, focusing on better patient care, prevention and service quality. Cybercrime Crackdown: Dominican Cyber Police arrested two suspects tied to electronic fraud and illicit transfers, including scams promoted via Instagram and Telegram.

Trade & Tariffs: The U.S. Trade Representative proposed new Section 301 tariffs tied to forced-labor enforcement, with the Dominican Republic listed among 60 economies facing potential 10%–12.5% duties depending on commitments, with a July 7 hearing set for comments. Infrastructure & Energy: Edesur Dominicana is moving forward with RD$469.8M worth of six new power transformers from China to boost grid stability and meet rising demand. Water & Tourism Resilience: The Dominican Senate approved US$600M in climate and water financing for Punta Cana-Bávaro—US$200M via CAF for climate action support and US$400M via IDB/INAPA for sanitation and wastewater reuse. Logistics & Investment: DP World announced a US$100M expansion for the Caucedo free zone to strengthen logistics capacity. Aviation & Connectivity: ITA Airways will launch direct Rome–Santo Domingo flights starting Nov. 30, with service increasing in December. Sports Business: A government commission recommended a new MLB-standard stadium in Santo Domingo (20,000–21,000 seats) with a mixed public-private structure. Public Safety & Crime: Cyber Police arrested two people in separate electronic fraud and illicit transfer cases, including scams run via Instagram and Telegram. Agribusiness & Exports: The Dominican Republic promoted premium cocoa at a Brussels forum, highlighting progress on its “Dominican Cocoa” geographical indication seal. Local Economy & Tourism Cleanup: The Ministry of Tourism delivered 42 heavy equipment units to Boca Chica to fight sargassum and protect the beach tourism economy.

Trade Policy Shock: The U.S. Trade Representative is proposing extra Section 301 duties of 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 economies over forced-labor enforcement gaps, with the Dominican Republic listed among the 54 countries facing the higher 12.5% rate. Energy & Infrastructure: Edesur Dominicana is moving forward with RD$469.8 million in new transformers from China to boost grid reliability. Climate & Water in Punta Cana: The Dominican Senate approved US$600 million in financing—US$200 million via CAF for climate action and US$400 million via the IDB for INAPA’s Punta Cana-Bávaro sanitation and wastewater reuse program. Logistics Push: DP World and the government committed an additional US$100 million to expand Caucedo’s free zone warehousing and logistics capacity. Tourism Momentum: APORDOM says cruise arrivals are climbing, projecting 32 ship calls in June and citing port investment as the driver. Regional Business Ties: Curaçao’s economic development minister is exploring deeper trade and investment cooperation with the Dominican Republic, including free zones and tourism. Labor Rights Spotlight: The Dominican Republic was placed in Category 2 of the 2026 Global Labor Rights Index, ranking among the top performers in the Americas.

Tourism Recognition: The Dominican Republic is competing for top Caribbean destination honors at the Wave Awards 2026, with multiple hotel brands and resorts earning nominations as the winners are set to be announced June 4 in Los Angeles. Free Zone & Logistics: DP World and the Dominican government pledged an extra US$100M to expand logistics and warehousing at the Caucedo Free Trade Zone, building on a US$760M deal signed in May 2025 to boost port-free zone integration and capacity for regional distribution. Cruise Momentum: APORDOM says cruise tourism keeps climbing, with passenger arrivals rising from about 1.2M in 2022 to 2.7M in 2025, and expects 32 ship arrivals in June. Infrastructure Push: President Abinader inaugurated a 13.5-kilometer highway in Barahona to improve access for more than 300,000 residents and cut travel times for local producers. Labor Rights Benchmark: The Ministry of Labor welcomed the DR’s Category 2 placement in the 2026 Global Labor Rights Index, citing progress in labor institutions and social dialogue. Regional Deals: The DR and Suriname elevated ties with visa-free tourism entry for ordinary passport holders (with US or Schengen visa), plus direct flight and cooperation plans.

Trade & Investment: Curaçao’s economic development minister met Dominican officials to explore deeper cooperation in free zones, tourism, and import-export ties. Tourism Push: The Dominican Republic was named Special Guest Country at FIT 2026 in Buenos Aires, aiming to attract South American investment and expand air connectivity. Infrastructure for Growth: President Abinader inaugurated a new 13.5-kilometer highway in Barahona to cut travel times and support local producers and services in the southwest. Cruise Momentum: APORDOM reported cruise passenger growth from about 1.2M (2022) to 2.7M (2025), with 32 ship arrivals expected in June. Logistics Expansion: DP World will add $100M to expand Caucedo’s logistics and warehousing capacity on top of a prior $760M plan. Boca Chica Overhaul: Abinader announced a RD$20B public-private intervention to reposition Boca Chica as a logistics and tourism hub. Regional Mobility: DR and Suriname agreed visa-free tourism entry for Dominicans holding valid US or Schengen visas, plus direct-flight and cooperation updates. Public Transport Delay: Metro Line 2C to Los Alcarrizos still isn’t in full commercial operation, keeping riders on limited provisional service. Aviation Deal: DR and Trinidad & Tobago signed an air services agreement to boost commercial and tourism exchanges. Health Business: A study says private ARS firms absorbed RD$87.65B in profits and admin costs (2007-2025), raising concerns about pressure on the public health system.