Businessman and historian Manuel García Arévalo said that Spanish migrants have invested upwards of US$3,000 million in the DR and lately Spanish businessmen have made investments of US$1,000 in public and private institutions. He spoke on occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said that Spanish migrants have set up businesses in Santo Domingo, San Pedro de Macorís, Santiago, Barahona and Puerto Plata. He said that while there have been many merchants, others are renowned farmers in Nagua, Constanza and San Juan de la Maguana. He said that in 1924 an estimated 1,500 Spaniards lived in the DR, which had increased to more than 26,000 by 1999.
