DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

The Dominican Organization of Shopping Malls (ONEC) is protesting the lenience of the government in allowing Chinese businesses to operate outside the law.

Large consumer goods stores set up by Chinese nationals are investing big to set up large stores in Dominican cities. El Dia reports exponential growth of the Chinese businesses and says they are taking advantage of the country’s regulatory weaknesses.

“Today we see them in all the provinces of the Dominican Republic and, above all, they now compete with large and traditional stores,” says Jennifer Troncoso, executive director. of the National Organization of Commercial Companies (ONEC).

Previously mostly into love motels or food businesses, the Chinese have expanded tosell clothing, footwear, plastics, as well as hardware and household items (be they furniture, glassware), household appliances, auto decorations, cosmetics...