The Dominican Republic is situated in the heart of the Caribbean, bathed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean on the north coast and by the Caribbean Sea to the south. It was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his first voyage, on December 5, 1492, and occupies an area of 48,442 square kilometers of the 77,914, which it shares with the neighboring Republic of Haiti.

Fast Facts

Capital City: Santo Domingo
President: Leonel Fernandez Reyna
Official Language: Spanish
Currency: Dominican pesos
Exchange Rate RD$29 x US$1
Land Area: 48,442 km2
Population: 9,000,000 inhabitants
Climate: Tropical

International Airports: Las Americas (Santo Domingo), Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, La Romana and Barahona.

Major Ports: Santo Domingo, Haina, San Pedro de Macoris, Barahona, Las Calderas, Boca Chica and Puerto Plata.

Trade Highlights

• On March 1, 2007 the CAFTA-DR Free Trade Agreement was implemented allowing almost 80% of U.S. goods to enter the DR duty free.  Learn more about CAFTA-DR.
• The U.S. has a 60% market share of Dominican Imports (Total Imports in 2006 = $10.2 billion and Total Imports from U.S. = $6.1 billion)
• The Dominican Republic is the 7th largest market in the Western Hemisphere for US exports after Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and Chile.
• The United States exports more to the DR than to South Africa, Argentina, Sweden, Peru or Austria.

Learn more about Doing Business in the DR.

Economic Outlook

• The country has experienced a strong economic growth rate since 2005 (9.3% in 2005, 10.7% in 2006 and 8.5% in 2007)  
• Although the country has long been viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer due to growth in tourism and free trade zones.
• Housing projetcs, highways, malls and commercial buildings are the priority for the Dominican Government and Private Sector.
• The hotel industry is making strides to remedy the defieciencies in the basic services (electricity, water, and protecting the environment).

Best Prospects

• Household Consumer Goods
• Air Conditioning
• Telecommunication Equipment & Services
• Building products
• Franchising
• Computers and Peripherals
• Automotive Parts and Services
• Food Processing and Packaging Equip.
• Cosmetics and Toiletries
• Electrical Power Systems
• Hotel & Restaurant Equipment & services
• Drugs and Pharmaceuticals

"Your Connection to the Dominican Republic"

Whether your company is looking to enter the Dominican Republic for the first time or expand your sales into this market, we can help you succeed! 

Our office in Santo Domingo provides counseling on market entry/expansion, identification of potential business partners, matchmaking appointments, market research, due dilligence reports, promotional events and other customized services. 

Learn more about Our Services for U.S. Companies, or Contact Us.