For decades, Belize’s economic foundation has rested on two core pillars: mass tourism and traditional agricultural exports. But now, the Central American nation is pursuing a bold new path to economic resilience, launching its first-ever national industrial strategy centered on expanding sustainable green and blue industries that could turn local natural advantages into long-term, inclusive growth. The initiative, developed in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), took a key step forward this week when stakeholders gathered in Belize City for a workshop that presented early findings to over 50 public officials and private sector leaders. The gathering centered on a single, critical question that will shape Belize’s economic future: how can the country cultivate new industries that deliver shared prosperity through job creation, boost export revenue, and protect the fragile natural ecosystems that are already central to its national identity? Early exploratory research has narrowed the focus to six high-potential sectors that align with the strategy’s dual goals of economic growth and environmental stewardship. For green industries, the priority areas are expanded cacao cultivation and artisanal chocolate production, value-added coconut product manufacturing, and sustainable bio-based sectors ranging from renewable bioenergy to compostable alternative materials and advanced agro-processing. On the blue economy side, the strategy targets three high-growth areas: commercial seaweed cultivation, sustainable fisheries and advanced aquaculture, and small-to-medium vessel boatbuilding. What sets these sectors apart is that Belize already holds significant natural advantages in each, but for years the country has mostly exported unprocessed raw materials to foreign buyers, capturing only a small fraction of the total value of its natural resources. The new industrial strategy aims to reverse that pattern by moving Belize higher up the global value chain. By investing in local processing, manufacturing, and branding, the government expects to retain a far larger share of revenue within the country, create higher-wage local jobs, and reduce Belize’s historical dependence on volatile tourism markets and commodity agriculture. This proactive push for economic diversification comes as many small coastal nations face growing pressure to build more resilient, sustainable economies that balance development with climate and environmental protection. For Belize, the strategy represents a calculated bet that leveraging its existing natural strengths through sustainable, value-added production will deliver more stable and inclusive growth for years to come.
分类： business
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NCCU sets June 3 date for 16th Annual General Meeting
The National Cooperative Credit Union Ltd. (NCCU) based in Roseau has officially publicized its upcoming 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM), confirming the event will take place on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Hosted at the Goodwill Parish Hall, the gathering is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 PM local time, marking a key annual milestone for the member-owned financial institution.
Per an official press statement from NCCU, this year’s AGM is designed to deliver full transparency to the credit union’s membership. Attendees will receive a comprehensive breakdown of the organization’s financial performance over the preceding year, an outline of its strategic objectives for the months ahead, and updates on other high-priority operational initiatives. Since all members hold ownership stakes in the cooperative, the meeting creates a structured space for active participation: members will be able to join in open discussions on key organizational matters and exercise their voting rights on decisions that will impact the future direction of the credit union.
NCCU has emphasized that voting at the AGM is far more than a procedural step—it is a core democratic responsibility for all members. By casting their votes, members gain a direct hand in guiding the institution’s governance, including the critical process of electing new representatives to NCCU’s Board of Directors. This member-led governance model is a defining feature of cooperative financial institutions, ensuring leadership remains aligned with the needs and priorities of the people it serves.
Recognizing that some members may face barriers to attending the in-person gathering, NCCU has implemented accommodations for remote participation. Members who wish to join the meeting virtually must complete their online registration no later than 11:59 PM on Tuesday, June 2, one day ahead of the scheduled event. All relevant AGM materials, including the full Annual Report and the virtual registration form, are available for download and access through NCCU’s official website.
For members with additional questions about meeting logistics, registration, or agenda items, NCCU has advised reaching out to their local NCCU branch directly. The organization also reminded members to regularly check its official website and social media channels for any last-minute announcements, adjustments, or updates related to the 16th AGM.
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Belize Loses Second Airline in Months as JetBlue Exits
On Wednesday, May 21, 2026, low-cost U.S. carrier JetBlue completed its final commercial departure from Philip Goldson International Airport, ending its popular direct route connecting New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Belize City. This move delivers a second heavy blow to Belize’s tourism-reliant economy in just a few months, following closely on the heels of Spirit Airlines’ decision to terminate all Belize-bound service earlier this year.
JetBlue’s exit was not an unforeseen development. Back in February 2026, the airline publicly confirmed it would cut the Belize-New York route as a core component of its company-wide “JetForward” restructuring initiative. The strategic overhaul is designed to streamline the carrier’s route network, cut unnecessary operational costs, and guide the airline back to consistent profitability after a period of post-pandemic financial volatility.
For Belize, whose national economy depends heavily on international tourism and counts affordable, accessible air travel as one of its most critical infrastructure assets, the loss of two low-cost carriers in such a short timeframe has created tangible strain across the tourism ecosystem. Efrain Perez, president of the Belize Tourism Industry Association, highlighted the severity of the challenge in comments to reporters, noting that consistent growth in airlift capacity is directly tied to increases in tourist overnight stays, the primary driver of revenue for hotels, tour operators, local businesses and hospitality workers across the country.
“The departure of any airline is very critical for the tourism industry. We depend on increasing our airlift so that we can create more overnight stays,” Perez explained.
Despite the obvious concerns, Perez was careful to put the setback in context, emphasizing that Belize still maintains robust air connectivity with North America and broader global markets through a roster of established major international carriers. These include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Copa Airlines and Air Canada, all of which continue to operate regular routes to Belize. Perez also pointed to a recent positive development: Air Canada launched a new direct route from Montreal to Belize City, a connection that opens up convenient same-day travel options for passengers coming from multiple European destinations, expanding Belize’s access to the key European tourism market.
Perez added that both the Belize Tourism Board and the national Ministry of Tourism are currently working around the clock to court new air carriers, with the goal of replacing lost low-capacity routes and expanding overall airlift to the country. In a parallel move to offset the impact of reduced air access during the upcoming low travel season, national tourism authorities have launched a new targeted “green season” marketing campaign. The initiative encourages local hoteliers and hospitality providers to offer discounted accommodation rates to international visitors, with the aim of boosting booking volumes and softening the revenue dip that typically comes during the low-travel period.
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Job Opportunity: Finance Manager
Polaris Development Company Ltd (PDCL), the special purpose entity created to deliver Project Polaris — one of the government’s flagship infrastructure initiatives — has launched a search for a seasoned, highly qualified Finance Manager to lead its financial operations.
As the company’s senior financial lead, the appointed Finance Manager will hold end-to-end responsibility for PDCL’s entire financial management function, spanning core activities from financial administration and accounting integrity to comprehensive budgeting, active cash flow oversight, and strict adherence to both lender stipulations and government statutory requirements. A core mandate of the role is embedding robust financial governance, transparent reporting protocols, and disciplined internal control systems across every phase of the project’s lifecycle. The role reports directly to PDCL’s Chief Executive Officer and provides critical analytical and reporting support to the company’s board of directors through accurate financial disclosures and proactive risk management.
The position is structured around seven key responsibility areas. First, in financial planning and budget management, the successful candidate will develop and oversee capital expenditure budgets and financial forecasts, track ongoing spending to deliver variance analysis and early expenditure warnings, and contribute to long-term planning for the company’s financial sustainability.
Second, for lender administration and compliance, the Finance Manager will oversee all drawdown processes aligned with the terms of existing financing agreements, guarantee full compliance with all lender conditions, financial covenants, and mandatory reporting requirements. They will also prepare required compliance certificates, formal financial reports, and drawdown requests, and maintain consistent, structured communication with lending partners, facility agents, and external auditors.
Third, in accounting and internal controls, the role requires building and maintaining rigorous accounting systems and internal control frameworks, ensuring all financial records are maintained in a permanent audit-ready state and meet all statutory compliance standards, and overseeing all tax and regulatory reporting activities.
Fourth, for payment and cash flow management, the Finance Manager will review payment applications submitted by project contractors, lead cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning to maintain stable operations, and ensure all fund disbursements are completed accurately and on schedule.
Fifth, in financial reporting and board support, the appointee will prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual full financial statements, deliver tailored financial insights and reports to the CEO and board of directors, and identify emerging financial risks while proposing actionable mitigation strategies.
Finally, the role carries dedicated risk management responsibilities, including ongoing monitoring of core financial risks such as potential cost overruns and covenant exposure, supporting financial assessments related to project claims, and maintaining structured regular reporting on the company’s financial risk profile.
To be considered for the role, candidates must demonstrate advanced expertise in infrastructure finance and project-specific accounting, a solid working knowledge of public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks and PDCL’s unique financial structure, and prior experience managing lender compliance and complex financing arrangements. Candidates are expected to hold high professional standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability, paired with strong analytical, forecasting, and reporting capabilities, and the ability to translate complex financial data into clear insights for senior leadership and board stakeholders.
Minimum educational and professional requirements include a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a closely related field. An active professional accounting designation such as CPA, ACCA, CA, or an equivalent global qualification is strongly preferred. Candidates must also have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, with prior work on infrastructure projects, PPP frameworks, or project-financed operational environments. Previous experience working with international lenders or development finance institutions is considered a valuable added asset for candidates. Technical requirements include advanced proficiency in financial modeling and Microsoft Excel, strong working knowledge of the full Microsoft Office Suite, and prior experience with accounting and project cost management systems is a preferred qualification.
For candidates interested in applying, application packages including a detailed curriculum vitae and a tailored cover letter must be submitted via email to [email protected], with copies sent to [email protected] and [email protected]. All applications must use the subject line “PDCL Application — Finance Manager” to be correctly routed. The closing deadline for all submission is 31 May 2026. PDCL notes that while all applications are appreciated, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further recruitment steps.
This posting was published with a disclaimer from NOW Grenada, which states that the outlet is not liable for the opinions, statements, or third-party content shared by contributors, and provides a channel for users to report any abusive content related to the posting.
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Job Opportunity: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Polaris Development Company Ltd. (PDCL), a purpose-built special entity created to advance Project Polaris — one of the government’s highest-priority flagship infrastructure initiatives — has opened applications for a highly qualified Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead delivery of the project’s core new hospital development.
Reporting directly to PDCL’s Board of Directors, the successful candidate will hold full executive accountability for every stage of the new hospital’s delivery, tasked with ensuring the entire project aligns strictly with pre-approved scope, budget timelines, technical specifications and binding financing agreements. As the top executive, the CEO will own ultimate responsibility for corporate governance, financial integrity, contractual performance and enterprise-wide risk management, while leading coordinated engagement with the national government, project lenders and all other key stakeholders.
The role’s core responsibilities span five key functional areas. First, in strategic and governance leadership, the CEO will roll out the Board’s approved strategy and delivery framework, ensure full adherence to financing covenants and legal statutory requirements, uphold robust governance structures, transparent reporting protocols and strong internal controls, and provide expert guidance to the Board on emerging risks and strategic directional decisions.
Second, for contractual and delivery oversight, the CEO will supervise all major project contracts, including agreements with design-build-maintain contractors, third-party consultants and key suppliers, hold contractors accountable for meeting technical specifications, cost targets and schedule milestones, oversee end-to-end contract administration, change control processes and timely risk escalation, and ensure all commissioning and operational readiness milestones are met on schedule.
Third, in terms of financial accountability, the role requires oversight of overall project financial performance, compliance with lender requirements and capital drawdown processes, ongoing monitoring of capital expenditure and emerging cost risks, and maintenance of full audit readiness and financial transparency across all operations.
Fourth, for risk and compliance, the CEO will maintain and refine a comprehensive enterprise risk management framework, lead enterprise-wide claims management and proactive dispute mitigation, and ensure unwavering compliance with national procurement regulations and global anti-corruption standards.
Finally, as the primary stakeholder engagement lead, the CEO will act as the main point of contact for the government, lending institutions and project partners, prepare regular Board reports covering financial performance and risk updates, and lead high-stakes strategic negotiations with key external parties.
To be considered for the role, candidates must demonstrate a proven track record of senior leadership in large-scale infrastructure or public-private partnership (PPP) projects, deep specialized expertise in project finance, contract management and corporate governance, advanced enterprise risk management capabilities, exceptional negotiation and C-suite communication skills, and uncompromising standards of integrity, sound judgment and decisive decision-making.
Preferred qualifications include a master’s degree in engineering, finance, business administration or a related field. Candidates must hold a minimum of 15 years of senior leadership experience, have a verifiable history of successfully delivering large-scale infrastructure projects valued at $100 million or more, and prior experience working with special purpose vehicles (SPVs), PPP structures or board-governed entities. Previous experience collaborating with international lenders or development finance institutions is considered a significant added advantage.
Interested eligible candidates are required to submit a complete application package, including a personalized cover letter and detailed curriculum vitae, to [email protected], with copies sent to [email protected] and [email protected]. All applications must use the subject line “PDCL Application — Chief Executive Officer” to be considered. The closing deadline for submission of applications is 31 May 2026. PDCL notes that while all applications are appreciated, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further stages of the recruitment process.
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SEPROD PUSHES DEEPER INTO TOURISM SUPPLY CHAIN
Jamaica’s leading manufacturing and distribution group Seprod is moving forward with a major restructuring of its distribution network, accelerating the integration of Caribbean Producers Jamaica Limited (CPJ) into its core operations in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. The overhaul, which reallocates product lines between CPJ and Seprod’s retail arm Facey Commodities, aims to sharpen specialization, eliminate overlapping operations, and expand market reach across both hospitality and retail segments.
The transition process officially launched in late January this year. According to Seprod Group Chief Marketing Officer Andrew Anguin, the broad integration blueprint was already finalized prior to Hurricane Melissa’s landfall, but leadership intentionally delayed execution to avoid disrupting business operations during the peak tourism season, which runs from October through December each year. Now, the restructuring is well underway: Seprod’s own product range is increasingly distributed through CPJ’s established network of hotel and hospitality clients, while imported consumer goods previously managed by CPJ are being rerouted to Facey Commodities’ extensive retail shelf network across Jamaica.
This integration push comes more than three years after Seprod completed its acquisition of AS Bryden & Sons Holdings Limited, CPJ’s parent company. The restructuring reframes CPJ as Seprod’s dedicated hospitality-focused division, concentrating exclusively on serving hotels, restaurants, and commercial food service operators, while Facey Commodities, Seprod’s existing retail distribution arm, takes over responsibility for all consumer-facing and imported goods previously handled by CPJ.
Hurricane Melissa, which battered Jamaica’s coastal hospitality belt in 2024, created unforeseen urgency for the overhaul. The storm triggered widespread operational disruptions and suppressed hotel demand, exposing inefficiencies in overlapping distribution systems and creating an opening to streamline operations. Even with the pre-existing strategy, the storm’s impact pushed leadership to speed up implementation, executives confirmed.
“ This restructuring lets our CPJ team focus entirely on selling the full Seprod portfolio to hospitality clients,” Anguin explained. “Through our long-standing partnership with Kraft Heinz, we can now deliver more hospitality-tailored innovation to the market, including specialized product formats, more competitive pricing, and items formulated specifically for commercial kitchen operations. We’re also expanding our range of oils and fats to better meet the baking and food preparation needs of the tourism sector.”
On the retail side, products that were once primarily sold through CPJ’s hospitality channels—including popular imported items like shrimp and frozen burgers—are now gaining wider access to supermarket shelves across Jamaica via Facey Commodities’ established retail distribution network. This shift puts CPJ’s imported portfolio in front of a much larger domestic consumer base, unlocking new revenue streams that were previously underutilized.
The restructuring also comes as Jamaica’s tourism sector continues to face a slow and uneven recovery from Hurricane Melissa. Many hospitality operators are still working to rebuild damaged infrastructure, with full reopening timelines pushed out to late 2026 in most cases, and as far as the first quarter of 2027 for some of the hardest hit properties. “Many of our partners within the hospitality industry are either not yet fully operational or are operating at reduced capacity as they continue their recovery efforts,” Seprod Chairman Richard Pandohie and interim CEO Juan Baez noted in the company’s latest management discussion and analysis (MD&A).
For decades, CPJ has held a dominant position as a supplier to Jamaica’s tourism industry, distributing food, beverages, and specialty products to hotels, restaurants, and cruise line operators. The ongoing integration gives Seprod far more direct access to this high-value market while enabling the entire group to expand its product reach across a broader domestic retail footprint. By eliminating overlapping distribution routes and aligning teams with their core areas of expertise, the overhaul is expected to cut longstanding operational inefficiencies across the group.
Executives project that the restructuring will ultimately deliver low double-digit growth for both the hospitality and retail divisions of the business. “Low teens is what we are anticipating on both sides,” Anguin said, while cautioning that the integration remains in its early stages. “But again the upside is huge with a larger team focused every day on what they specialise in.” The restructuring gives the group far broader coverage across its entire product portfolio, he added, with more sales representatives and brand specialists focused on pushing the full CPJ product range to retail buyers.
Seprod’s management expects the bulk of the integration work to be substantially completed by the fourth quarter of this year, aligning with the start of the annual winter tourism season and the Christmas holiday period, when demand for both hospitality and retail goods typically surges. Anguin pointed specifically to CPJ’s premium beverage portfolio, which has a history of strong performance during the year-end holiday period, as a key growth driver for the final quarter.
The impact of Hurricane Melissa was already visible in CPJ’s March 2025 quarter financial results, which reflected ongoing downward pressure on tourism-linked revenue. Gross revenue for the quarter fell to US$25 million, down from US$37.8 million in the same period a year earlier, while gross profit dropped from US$11.7 million to US$6.5 million. The business swung to a pre-tax loss of US$1.4 million for the quarter, compared to a pre-tax profit of US$2.4 million in the prior year’s corresponding quarter.
Despite the near-term financial pressure, Seprod’s leadership pointed to early positive signs that the restructuring is already starting to deliver results. Operational cash flow has improved, and working capital management has tightened, with lower inventory levels, insurance claim recoveries, improved accounts receivable collections, and more disciplined payables management all contributing to stronger fundamentals. “Importantly, the quarter reflected improved cash flow performance and stronger working capital management,” management said in the MD&A.
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EGE Haina launches Dominican Republic’s first hybrid wind-solar power plant
In a landmark ceremony led by Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, independent power producer EGE Haina has officially opened the Esperanza Renovable energy complex in Valverde province – the Caribbean nation’s first utility-scale hybrid wind and solar facility connected to the National Interconnected Electric System (SENI). This milestone project brings together three integrated renewable assets to deliver a combined clean power capacity of 200 megawatts, following a total private investment of $246.5 million.
The Esperanza Renovable complex integrates two newly completed facilities – the 60 MW Esperanza Solar 2 farm and 49.5 MW Esperanza Wind park – with EGE Haina’s already operational 90 MW Esperanza Solar 1 plant, which entered service years earlier. Spanning 246 hectares of land in Valverde, the facility features 259,370 high-efficiency bifacial solar panels and 11 state-of-the-art Vestas wind turbines. Standing 225 meters tall, these turbines are the tallest energy infrastructure structures ever installed in the Dominican Republic. Annually, the complex is projected to generate approximately 485,000 megawatt-hours of carbon-free electricity, enough to power hundreds of thousands of local households annually.
José A. Rodríguez Silvestre, General Manager of EGE Haina, emphasized that the Esperanza Renovable project represents a critical step forward in diversifying the Dominican Republic’s national energy matrix, which has long relied heavily on fossil fuel imports. Looking ahead, the company has already laid out plans to add a 200 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system (BESS) to the complex, a upgrade that will smooth out variable wind and solar output, optimize grid distribution, and ensure more consistent delivery of clean power to end users.
Joel Santos Echevarría, the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Energy and Mines, echoed this optimism, noting that the new facility strengthens the country’s long-term energy security by reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels and keeps the nation on track to meet its legally binding renewable energy transition targets. For EGE Haina, the project brings the company’s total installed renewable capacity to 576 MW, allowing it to exceed the sustainability target outlined in its green sustainability bond years ahead of schedule.
Beyond its energy and climate benefits, the project has delivered significant economic and community gains to the Valverde region. Over the course of construction, the buildout created 1,400 direct local jobs, providing a major boost to the provincial economy. Once fully operational, the complex is expected to cut annual carbon dioxide emissions by more than 275,000 tons, delivering tangible public health and climate benefits for the nation. Since 2022, EGE Haina has also invested more than 34 million Dominican pesos in targeted local community and environmental initiatives across Valverde. These investments include installing solar power systems for local public buildings, upgrading school facilities, improving public infrastructure, and establishing a dedicated arboretum that houses more than 1,000 species of endemic native trees and shrubs, supporting local biodiversity conservation efforts.
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CONSTRUEXPO 2026 opens in Punta Cana with construction reform measures
The 18th iteration of CONSTRUEXPO 2026, the Dominican Republic’s premier construction and infrastructure industry exhibition, has officially commenced at the BlueMall Punta Cana Convention Center, shining a spotlight on the explosive expansion of Punta Cana and the country’s eastern region as leading Caribbean hubs for real estate investment, tourism development, and urban growth.
Heading the opening ceremony was Dominican government official Víctor Bisonó, who used the occasion to unveil a slate of targeted policy reforms designed to modernize and cut red tape for the nation’s construction permitting process— a long-standing bottleneck that has hampered infrastructure and real estate progress across the country for years. Two core reforms were highlighted: an updated Single Window for Construction digital platform, which streamlines application processing, and the new NORM system, a regulatory framework created to standardize technical project evaluations and boost institutional transparency for all stakeholders.
In his remarks, Bisonó shared promising early data signaling the reforms are already driving momentum: construction license approvals jumped 93% in the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, rising from 380 approved permits to 665. The total value of investments tied to these approved projects surpasses 230 billion Dominican pesos, marking a massive surge in industry activity. Additionally, Bisonó announced the launch of the Alliance for the Promotion of the Construction Sector, a collaborative public-private partnership developed alongside the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic and leading industry business groups. The alliance aims to strengthen domestic production supply chains and foster long-term, sustainable growth across the sector.
Organized by José Veras & Associates, CONSTRUEXPO 2026 will run through May 21 to 23, hosting more than 48 exhibitors from across the globe. Sixteen of these participating firms are international, hailing from nations including Italy, Spain, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, and the United States. Over its 18 editions, the expo has grown into one of the most influential business and networking platforms for the construction and infrastructure ecosystem in the Dominican Republic.
Industry leaders in attendance outlined the shifting landscape of the Dominican construction sector, noting that Punta Cana’s ongoing expansion across tourism, residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments is transforming the entire national industry. Annerys Meléndez, a prominent sector voice, emphasized that this period of rapid growth must be paired with intentional sustainable planning to avoid overdevelopment and preserve the region’s natural and economic assets. Meanwhile, fellow industry leader Mario Betances underlined that cutting-edge technology and prefabricated, industrialized construction models will be foundational to the sector’s competitive and efficient future growth.
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Dominican employment reaches 5.2 million workers in early 2026
Against a backdrop of widespread global economic uncertainty fueled by Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions, volatile commodity pricing, and elevated transportation costs, the Dominican Republic’s labor market has delivered a resilient performance, posting steady employment expansion through the first quarter of 2026, newly released official survey data shows.
Findings from the country’s National Continuous Labor Force Survey (ENCFT) put total national employment at 5,236,178 workers as of the end of March. Of this total workforce, 2,403,395 positions are in the formal sector, a figure that aligns with official records maintained by the Dominican Social Security Treasury.
When compared to the same three-month period in 2025, the Dominican economy added a net total of 118,631 new jobs, translating to a 2.3% year-on-year growth rate for overall employment. Key labor market metrics remained near their all-time highs: the national employment rate hit 63.0%, while the labor force participation rate landed at 66.3%, a performance that stands out as strong among regional economies.
The survey’s breakdown of new job creation reveals that informal sector growth drove most of the past year’s employment gains. Of the 118,631 net new positions added, 98,127 were generated in the informal economy, accounting for 82.7% of all new job creation. Formal sector employment contributed just 20,504 additional jobs over the same period. Even with informal activity accounting for the majority of new growth, the national informality rate settled at 54.1% – still below the long-term historical average recorded since 2014.
Women emerged as a major driving force behind the country’s labor market expansion in the first quarter. Women make up 43.9% of the Dominican Republic’s total current employed population, and over the 12-month comparison period, female employment grew by 157,078 workers, accounting for the vast majority of all new job creation across the country.
Unemployment metrics also remained stable and favorable, the data confirms. The open unemployment rate held at 5.0% for the January-to-March period, while the broader measure of labor underutilization fell to 8.8%, down from 9.3% in the first quarter of 2025.
The working-age population classified as inactive – meaning individuals who are not currently employed and are not actively seeking work – reached 2.8 million people, equal to 33.7% of the total working-age population. That share marks a slight decrease from the recorded inactive rate in 2025.
Overall, the latest labor force data underscores the Dominican Republic’s economic resilience, as the market maintained low unemployment and continued expansion even amid the external headwinds shaking the global economy in 2026.
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Cabo Rojo International Airport set to begin operations in February 2027
Plans for transforming the southwestern Dominican province of Pedernales into a next-generation Caribbean tourism hub have hit a major construction milestone, with government officials confirming Cabo Rojo International Airport is on schedule to welcome its first commercial aircraft in February 2027. The confirmation came during a recent on-site progress inspection led by senior Dominican government representatives, who reviewed every stage of the large-scale infrastructure project.
During the visit, Presidential Administrative Minister José Ignacio Paliza outlined the phased operational roadmap for the new gateway. In its initial launch period, the airport will operate a restricted schedule of commercial flights, with capacity set to expand incrementally in line with growing tourist arrivals and passenger demand in the Cabo Rojo area. Paliza also added that the first batch of hotels, which will anchor the region’s new tourism offer, are projected to open their doors to guests in the latter half of 2027.
Public Works Minister Víctor Pichardo, who also joined the inspection, shared that core airport infrastructure has already reached advanced development stages. The most critical component of the project, the airport’s main runway, has entered the paving phase. The inspection team also assessed progress on other key facilities within the airport complex, including the air traffic control tower, taxiway, stormwater drainage systems, passenger terminal, and a range of supporting service and utility infrastructure.
While unseasonably heavy rainfall in recent months caused minor disruptions to some on-site construction activities, lead project engineers confirmed the overall timeline remains aligned with the 2027 operational target. Before the official government inspection, lead contractors and engineering teams had already presented detailed progress updates for each phase of the development to senior authorities, clearing the way for the official review.
As a centerpiece of the Dominican government’s long-term regional economic development strategy, Cabo Rojo International Airport is designed to unlock the untapped tourism potential of the country’s southwest. The project is intended to reposition Pedernales as a top-tier leisure and travel destination in the Caribbean, driving job creation, foreign investment, and sustainable economic growth across the region for decades to come.