export business
Export businesses can be profitable. I suggest you approach the USA consulate/commercial affairs in Santo Domingo for direct information.
I would warn you about importing. The Dominican customs authorities and the port tarriff system in general is chaotic, and totally arbitrary. Today, with GATT implemented and international standards to be applied to product, you still find serious under the table money being directed at officials and staff to allow you to bring in product at a competitive rate.
If you fail to fall into the system or cooperate, the application of rates to your pricing makes your product non-competitive.
There is a serious problem in this country on the import side- I suggest you stay away from that one.