China (US$253 million in imports, US$72 million in exports), Japan and Taiwan (US$232 million in imports and US$12 million exports) at the end of 2006 were leading exporters to the DR. The DR was also a major importer of furniture from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The trend continued through 2007 and looks to be on a similar pace in 2008.
Recently, with the signing of the DR-CAFTA agreement, Asian countries have shown an interest in the booming Dominican market both as an expanding import market for their goods and as a springboard for exporting to larger markets, such as the eastern seaboard of the United States. The goal for Asian nations is to use the Domincian Republic as a go between point, or hub, as they ate,pt to enter the US consume market. Also the facilities offered to the DR through the DR-CAFTA have increased the DR’s profile and made it a more attractive business partner.
The Dominican Republic is gearing up for increased investment from Saudi Arabia, Qatar (Dubai) and India, where Dominican embassies were established in 2006. And though agreements have been slow in coming increased investment and business deals are expected to be transacted since the groundwork for this has already been created. DP World, one of the three largest port operators in the world, is the largest shareholder of the Caucedo Multimodal Port that it operates near to the Las Americas International Airport, primarily servicing Santo Domingo.
As free trade agreements go the DR began talks of agreements with Taiwan and Korea, but due to the DR’s participation in CAFTA, EPA and Canadian free trade talks Taiwanese and Korean negotiations have slow. Tough the DR will be entering elections in 2008 insiders believe that these agreements will be signed no matter which administration is in office.

Updated 26 March 2008