Santo Domingo – In a significant move to enhance international economic relations, the Dominican Republic’s Export and Investment Center (ProDominicana) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) through a newly signed Memorandum of Cooperation. This landmark agreement establishes a comprehensive framework designed to strengthen bilateral trade relations and expand investment opportunities between the Caribbean nation and the Asian economic powerhouse.
The collaborative framework encompasses multiple strategic initiatives including export promotion, foreign investment attraction, and the development of joint programs aimed at boosting commercial exchanges. Key components of the agreement involve facilitating business matchmaking services, organizing specialized trade forums and educational seminars, and implementing technical cooperation programs to enhance market competitiveness for both nations.
Authorities from both sides emphasized the transformative potential of this alliance. Biviana Riveiro, representing ProDominicana, highlighted how this partnership will create unprecedented access for Dominican companies to enter high-value markets in Asia. Meanwhile, Mio Kawada of JETRO emphasized the agreement’s role in deepening economic integration and fostering sustainable business exchanges between the two economies.
The economic context underscores the timing of this agreement: bilateral trade reached an impressive US$3.34 billion between 2019 and 2025. Dominican exports to Japan saw a notable 15.3% increase in 2025 alone, reaching US$80.2 million, driven primarily by medical instruments, copper scrap, and cocoa products. Complementing this trade growth, Japanese investment in the Dominican Republic has accumulated approximately US$60 million since 2019, demonstrating sustained confidence in the country’s economic landscape and strategic position in the Caribbean region.