The Puerto Rican authorities are highlighting the contribution that the 200,000-strong Dominican community is making to the island and that both neighbors were working to strengthen relationships in terms of the economy and security.
Secretary of State for Puerto Rico David Bernier was speaking during the Dominican Week festivities on the island and said that the Dominicans who lived there worked hard, obeyed the law and paid their contributions. He said that 53% of them had bank accounts and worked in the formal economy and played a vital part in Puerto Rico’s tourism, agriculture and construction sectors. He went on to say that nearly half earned around US$27,000 a year.
According to the latest census data from 2013, the Dominican population on the island was 66,500, although the actual number is thought to be 225,000, making Dominicans the largest group of immigrants on the island with most working in construction.
Dominicans in Puerto Rico also work in domestic service, beauty salons, gardening, security and as taxi drivers.
Bernier concluded by saying that the trade agreements between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic were going well and that a Dominican trade office would be opening on the island in the near future. He also announced plans for an official visit by Puerto Rican authorities to the DR in April.
Gobierno de Puerto Rico resalta aportes socioeconómicos de los dominicanos