On the occasion of the 37th Ordinary General Assembly of the Union of Medium and Small Flour Industries (UMPIH) held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader stood before industry stakeholders to restate his administration’s unwavering backing for the nation’s flour-processing industry. In his address, he outlined a continued package of government assistance, encompassing upgraded equipment access, targeted technical guidance, and coordinated public-private collaboration—all designed to preserve accessible bread prices for households across the country.
Abinader emphasized that the domestic flour sector holds significant weight in the Dominican Republic’s broader economic ecosystem, noting that its stable operation directly impacts the food security and cost of living for millions of citizens. He committed to ongoing joint problem-solving between the government and flour producers, working collectively to navigate emerging industry challenges and guarantee a consistent, reliable supply of this staple food product. Beyond the flour sector, the president also expressed guarded optimism about the country’s overall economic trajectory, highlighting sustained expansion across key growth drivers including international tourism, export-focused free trade zones, and incoming foreign direct investment.
Eduardo “Yayo” Sanz Lovatón, the nation’s Minister of Industry, Commerce and Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), expanded on the administration’s collaborative approach with the flour industry. He detailed that more than 500 targeted training programs focused on business automation have already been rolled out to small and medium flour producers, equipping them with tools to modernize operations and boost long-term competitiveness. Sanz Lovatón framed the domestic flour-processing sector as a strategically critical component of national development, noting that intentional government support will allow firms to scale their output while keeping bread prices fair and sustainable for consumers.
During the course of the general assembly, UMPIH President José Radhamés Bruno extended public gratitude to the administration for its consistent backing of the sector. He also announced that this year’s gathering is dedicated to Rafael Sánchez, the organization’s pioneering historic leader. Fernando Pinales, president of the Dominican Confederation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CODOPYME), further commended Abinader for maintaining an open, transparent channel of dialogue between the government and small-scale food producers. In a closing recognition ceremony, President Abinader, Minister Sanz Lovatón, and National Institute of School Meals (INABIE) Executive Director Rafael Adolfo Pérez all received honorary plaques in acknowledgment of their key contributions to the growth and development of the Dominican flour industry.