Saudi Arabia announces it will open an embassy in Santo Domingo. The Dominican Republic will reciprocate opening an embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The announcement came after the meeting of Dominican Deputy Minister of Foreign Relations Jose Julio Gomez with his counterpart Waleed Abdulkarim El Khereiji, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Santo Domingo. Both countries commit to strengthen bilateral relations and significantly increase economic and trade relations. For the Dominican Republic the agreement could well bring a boost to foreign direct investment.
Both states are backing establishing direct flights between Santo Domingo and Riyadh. Agreements would be forthcoming on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passports and visa exemption for holders of ordinary passports. Also agreed to is a political consultation mechanism and a cooperation agreement on energy matters, considering that currently, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest producer and exporter of oil.
The Dominican Republic is supporting Saudi Arabia’s candidacy for the World Expo 2030.
The actions are a follow up to initial trade and business strengthening efforts that have included the Dominican Republic participation in the Caribbean-Saudi Arabia Investment Forum held from 6-8 July 2022, and the success of the Saudi trade mission that visited the country during April 2023. Badr AlBadr, Deputy Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia led this visiting delegation.
A press release from the Presidency of the Republic indicates that these strategic decisions are being adopted in compliance with the provisions of the Foreign Policy Program of the Abinader administration regarding the consolidation of Dominican relations with the countries of the Middle East and its vicinity, and is based on the need to promote strong ties of friendship with the different countries of the world, based on mutual respect, political independence and territorial integrity of states, and the strengthening of diplomatic, economic, trade and cooperation relations.
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Presidency
8 May 2023