In a recent address at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), Yayo Sanz Lovatón, Director General of Customs (DGA) in the Dominican Republic, highlighted the logistics sector as the nation’s ‘new economic axis.’ Speaking to students from the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, Sanz Lovatón emphasized the sector’s exponential growth over the past five years and its promising future. He urged students in economics, foreign trade, and related fields to focus on logistics, citing its increasing strategic importance. The Customs Director also revealed that the DGA is the country’s second-largest tax collector, contributing an average of 22.64% to state revenue between 2021 and 2024 and 3.4% to the GDP in 2024. Under Sanz Lovatón’s leadership, the DGA has collected RD$195.203.32 million as of September 2025, a 6.08% increase from the previous year, with accumulated revenue surpassing RD$1.15 trillion over five years. Sanz Lovatón attributed the logistics boom to the DGA’s operational efficiency, particularly the ’24-Hour Dispatch’ program, which has processed over 90,000 containers in less than a day, benefiting more than 8,000 importers. He also credited the new Customs Law 168-21 and the Logistics Centers and Operators Law 30-24 with attracting major global corporations to establish regional distribution hubs in the Dominican Republic. Additionally, exports exceeded US$13 billion in 2024, reinforcing the trade sector’s role as the largest generator of foreign currency. UASD Rector Editrudis Beltrán Crisóstomo praised Sanz Lovatón for his contributions to the university, particularly the support provided to UASD interns within the Customs administration. The lecture was part of UASD’s academic program celebrating its 487th anniversary.
分类： business
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COMMENTARY: Don’t Let Emails Control Your Day or Your Life.
In today’s fast-paced professional landscape, email remains a cornerstone of communication. However, the deluge of daily messages often leads to inefficiency, wasted time, and diminished productivity. Many professionals find themselves bogged down by email, struggling to focus on their core objectives. This article provides actionable strategies to optimize email usage, both as a sender and receiver, while leveraging Microsoft Outlook’s features to streamline the process.
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Third CBI project approved for Range Developments
Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program continues to drive significant growth in the luxury real estate sector, with Range Developments leading the charge. The latest addition to the program, ‘The La Sagesse Collection,’ comprises 60 ultra-luxe ocean-view residences in La Sagesse, St David. Owners of these properties will gain access to the prestigious Six Senses La Sagesse and the upcoming InterContinental Grenada Resort, both developed by Range Developments. This marks the third CBI-approved project by the developer in Grenada, following the successful launch of the One True Blue Beach Hotel and Residences in True Blue, St George. The project was officially granted Approved Project Status on 23 June 2025, as published in the Government Gazette on 3 October 2025. Each residence spans 1,545 square feet, featuring two bedrooms and two residences per floor. Range Developments’ projects have attracted the majority of CBI investors, with La Sagesse Six Senses and InterContinental accounting for 61% of investments between July and December 2024. During this period, investments in InterContinental totaled EC$70.3 million, while Six Senses garnered EC$6.7 million. The government requires a minimum investment of US$50,000 per application, contributing to the approval of 5,443 new citizens by the end of 2024. This initiative underscores Grenada’s appeal as a destination for high-net-worth individuals seeking citizenship through investment.
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Now Hiring: Sweet Traditions Bakery Café
Sweet Traditions Bakery Cafe has announced job openings for two key positions: Customer Service Attendant and Experienced Cook. The cafe is looking for individuals who can deliver exceptional customer service, maintain a friendly demeanor, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. Customer Service Attendants must be physically capable of standing for extended periods and available to work from Monday to Saturday. For the role of Experienced Cook, candidates are required to have prior cooking experience in a food service establishment, a genuine passion for culinary arts, and the ability to work collaboratively within a team. The cook’s schedule includes early morning shifts starting at 6 am, also from Monday to Saturday. Interested applicants are encouraged to send their applications via email to [email protected]. NOW Grenada, the platform sharing this announcement, has clarified that it is not responsible for the content or opinions expressed by contributors and has provided a reporting mechanism for any cases of abuse.
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Sandals to begin designing new resort for St. Vincent next year
Sandals Resorts International, under the leadership of CEO Adam Stewart, has unveiled plans to construct a state-of-the-art Beaches resort at Mt Wynne in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The project, slated to begin design work in 2026, represents a $500 million investment and is expected to feature 500 bedrooms, a world-class spa, and extraordinary water park facilities. The announcement was made during a signing ceremony in Buccament Bay, where Stewart emphasized the resort’s potential to employ nearly 2,000 Vincentians at full capacity.
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REOI: OECS Decision Making Project Credit
The Government of Grenada, with financial backing from the World Bank, is seeking a qualified individual to serve as the Deputy Project Coordinator (DPC) for the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Data for Decision Making (DDM) Project. This initiative aims to enhance the statistical capabilities of Eastern Caribbean nations, enabling them to produce and disseminate data crucial for regional and national analytics. The selected consultant will support the Project Coordinator in managing and administering the Grenada segment of the project, which is set to run for 20 months starting October 2025. The role will be based at the Central Statistical Office in Grenada. Interested candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Project Management, Economics, Statistics, or a related field, along with a minimum of two years of project management experience. Additional qualifications include expertise in statistical operations, leadership skills, and familiarity with World Bank-funded projects. Applications must be submitted electronically by 24 October 2025, via the specified procurement portal. For further details, candidates can request the Terms of Reference by contacting the Central Procurement Unit.
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Antigua Barbuda Yachting and Marina Association Discover Yachting & Marine Expo Kicks off this week
The Antigua Barbuda Yachting and Marina Association (ABYMA) is set to host the highly anticipated Discover Yachting and Marine Industry Expo on October 8th and 9th at the Antigua Yacht Club and Marina. This two-day event, running from 9 AM to 6 PM, aims to inspire school leavers, tertiary education students, and adults to explore the diverse career opportunities within the marine industry. Over 20 businesses will showcase the wide array of roles available, from woodworking and electrical work to administration and marketing, emphasizing that these careers can be pursued locally without the need to leave Antigua and Barbuda. President Franklin Braithwaite highlighted the event’s mission to debunk the misconception that marine industry jobs require relocation, stating, ‘Many roles require valuable skills that are essential for the industry to thrive, and they can be pursued right here at home.’ Attendees will have the opportunity to receive personalized advice from industry professionals, network with exhibitors, and access a list of seasonal job openings. The Expo, which is free to enter, will also feature an official opening ceremony at 10 AM on Wednesday, with bars and restaurants open to create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors. Schools and individuals are encouraged to attend and discover the potential of the yachting and marine industry in Antigua and Barbuda. For more information, visit the ABYMA website or contact 736-1345.
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$75M Cash Injection Part of Government’s Social Security Debt Proposal
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has unveiled a comprehensive plan to address its $400 million debt to the Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Board (ABSSB). The proposal, detailed in a letter from Financial Secretary Rasona Davis-Crump to ABSSB Chairman Kem Tonge on August 21, 2025, includes a $75 million cash injection and the transfer of income-generating assets, starting with the Jolly Beach property. This initiative aims to restructure and consolidate the government’s arrears into a single 25-year bond valued at $437.8 million. The bond will feature interest-only payments at 3% for the first five years, increasing to 5% in years six to ten, with full principal and interest repayments commencing in year eleven. The Financial Secretary has also requested the waiver of all accumulated interest arrears to facilitate the restructuring. Prime Minister Gaston Browne emphasized that this plan fulfills a previous arrangement designed by the UPP administration but never executed. He highlighted that transferring Jolly Beach to the ABSSB would significantly reduce the government’s debt to approximately $300 million, ensuring the Social Security scheme remains financially sustainable without raising contribution rates or the retirement age. The proposal is seen as a responsible approach to honoring long-overdue obligations while preserving the solvency of Social Security and stabilizing long-term pension payments.
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Law, Capital, and the Startup Frontier: Jean Marco Pou Fernández on Structuring Dominican Innovation
Jean Marco Pou Fernández, a prominent figure in the Dominican Republic, has carved a unique niche at the intersection of law, business, and diplomacy. As an attorney, entrepreneur, and former President of the EuroCámara de Comercio de la República Dominicana, Pou’s influence extends across corporate law, infrastructure projects, and binational chambers connecting Santo Domingo to global hubs like Brussels and Madrid. Later this year, he will further his expertise by pursuing an LL.M. in International Business and Economic Law at Georgetown University, solidifying his role in shaping the hemisphere’s most critical economic debates.
Pou’s insights are particularly valuable for founders and investors in the Dominican Republic, offering clarity on structuring startups for capital, scalability, and international credibility. He emphasizes that corporate governance is essential for investor confidence, advocating for practices like shareholder agreements, advisory boards, and transparent records. These measures, he argues, signal a startup’s seriousness about attracting external funding.
Despite the Dominican Republic’s legal framework supporting venture deals, Pou highlights gaps such as the absence of standardized instruments like SAFEs or convertible notes, unclear regulations on stock options, and slow IP enforcement. These challenges, he notes, make the country less competitive compared to other markets.
For cross-border ventures, Pou stresses the importance of strategic structuring, recommending that founders maintain local entities while raising capital through Delaware or EU holdings. This approach provides investors with legal familiarity while enabling local operations to thrive. He also underscores the role of legal advisors in balancing founder protection with investor appeal, ensuring that international clauses are enforceable under Dominican law.
Pou identifies three key policy reforms to accelerate innovation: a Startup Act to simplify incorporation and offer tax incentives, clear crowdfunding and fintech regulations, and legal recognition of employee equity plans. These changes, he believes, could transform the Dominican Republic into a more attractive ecosystem for global capital.
Additionally, Pou sees potential in a Digital Nomad Visa, not just as a tourism driver but as a means of fostering knowledge transfer through connections with accelerators, coworking spaces, and universities.
Pou’s perspective reflects a broader shift in Dominican business credibility, moving away from legacy institutions and toward founders who prioritize governance, traction, and structure. As a bridge between the old order and the emerging economy, Pou embodies the tectonic shift in credibility from traditional boardrooms to the innovators shaping tomorrow’s economy.
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US unseats UK as Barbados’ main tourism source market
In a significant shift in tourism dynamics, the United States has surpassed the United Kingdom as the primary source of visitors to Barbados. According to Andrea Franklin, CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), the US contributed 179,753 visitors this year, marking a pivotal change for the island nation. Historically, the UK has always been Barbados’ leading market, but recent economic shifts in the UK prompted the BTMI to diversify its strategy, focusing heavily on the US market. Franklin highlighted the success of their airlift strategy, which included adding over 60,000 seats from the US during the 2025 winter season, including a direct flight to New York—a service absent for 14 years. This strategic move has not only increased visitor numbers but also altered the demographic profile of tourists, with a notable rise in Black American travelers, particularly from Atlanta and its feeder cities. American visitors tend to stay shorter durations (7-10 days) compared to UK tourists but spend more, contributing significantly to the local economy. Barbados also saw strong performances from the Caribbean market (70,984 visitors), Canada (59,332 visitors), and Europe (21,000 visitors), with emerging markets like Central and South America showing potential. Franklin emphasized the importance of these trends, noting that Barbados is not only attracting more visitors but also solidifying its position as a regional hub for airlift and tourism. Cruise tourism also saw a 24% year-on-year growth, with 599,826 passengers visiting between January and July 2025. The island’s accommodation sector is thriving, with 6,000 hotel rooms and over 13,000 vacation rental rooms, supported by 10 new hotel projects in the pipeline. Culinary offerings range from street food to fine dining, with over 400 eateries catering to diverse tastes. Barbados’ pristine beaches and calm waters remain a major draw, with over 80 beach spots enhancing its appeal. Additionally, the BTMI is launching a community tourism initiative, ‘Dine With A Bajan,’ this winter, allowing visitors to experience authentic Barbadian hospitality. Looking ahead, Barbados will commence year-long celebrations on December 1, 2025, leading up to its 60th anniversary of independence from Britain on November 30, 2026.