The American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR) held its first business luncheon of 2025, with Manuel Tavares Sánchez, president of PIISA Industrial Park, as guest speaker. In his presentation, titled "Accelerated Development," Tavares Sánchez analyzed the factors that have hindered the country's growth and proposed strategies to drive a faster and more efficient transformation.

The businessman began his remarks by highlighting the economic progress the Dominican Republic has experienced in recent decades, but emphasized that the speed of development remains a challenge. He compared Dominican growth with that of economies such as Taiwan, Singapore, and Ireland, which in the 1970s had similar conditions to the Dominican Republic and, thanks to well-executed strategies, have managed to significantly increase their GDP per capita.

Tavares emphasized the need to strengthen the country's competitiveness through clear and measurable policies. In this regard, he highlighted the importance of tools such as the Global Competitiveness Index, which allows for identifying areas that require greater efforts.

"Using the Competitiveness Index gives us a roadmap for which areas we should prioritize and dedicate greater efforts to. Remember, there is no rich country that has a low competitiveness index, nor is there a poor country with a high index," he noted.

Tavares Sánchez also emphasized the fundamental role of exports as a driver of growth and proposed evolving the current free trade zone model into Accelerated Development Zones (ADZs), with the goal of attracting more foreign investment and diversifying domestic production.
He also emphasized that the key to success lies not only in the private sector, but in the ability to create strategic alliances with the government to ensure sustainable and effective policies. "The true success of the Dominican Republic lies not only in the dynamism of the private sector, but in the ability to establish effective collaboration platforms between this sector and the government. Public-private collaboration spaces, regardless of the government in power, constitute a true 'national treasure' that we must protect and nurture every day," he emphasized.
For his part, the president of the AMCHAMDR board of directors, Edwin De Los Santos, was shown optimistic that there will be many opportunities that will open up to the Republic Dominican thanks to the path of growth and development in which it is headed.

“A distinctive pillar of Dominican society is its capacity for dialogue between government and civil society on a strong democratic foundation, which we must treasure and maintain, and which will guide us in designing winning strategies in a constantly changing environment. AMCHAMRD has been actively working with the Dominican government and other important organizations on the strategy and action plan to strengthen trade relations between these important hemispheric allies, and part of that strategy is centered on these dialogues with relevant stakeholders in the business and government sectors,” he stated.

The meeting was attended by His Excellency the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, government representatives, as well as prominent business leaders and diplomats.

The luncheon was made possible thanks to the support of AMCHAMDR Elite Circle companies: Citi, Grupo Rica, Squire Patton Boggs, Barrick Pueblo Viejo, Inicia, AES Dominicana, Grupo Humano, HIT Puerto Río Haina, Grupo SID, Grupo Puntacana, Altice, Grupo Estrella, Grupo Viamar, DP World, Claro, and Banco Santa Cruz.

About the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR)

The American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR) is a non-profit association, legally incorporated on November 8, 1923, that fosters a healthy investment climate based on access to knowledge, opportunities, and a culture of best practices for the socioeconomic and professional development of its members. AMCHAMDR is affiliated with the US Chamber of Commerce and is a founding member of the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America (AACCLA).

Press contacts:
Coral Holguin, cholguin@amcham.org.do
Xóchitl Cordero, xcordero@amcham.org.do
Oliver Balbuena, obalbuena@amcham.org.do