President Luis Abinader was the keynote speaker at the American Chamber of Commerce luncheon on 25 March 2025 and addressed the challenges and opportunities of trade and investment with the United States.
President Luis Abinader stated that the Dominican Republic is stronger, more prosperous, and better prepared for the future than ever before. In his remarks, the President urged Dominicans to be confident, celebrate the country’s achievements, and continue working passionately for a better future. “We know that future development will not come on its own. Development is built, and we have already started,” he emphasized.
“Today, I invite you to see our reality with new eyes. If the economy is growing, investment is expanding, and there are more jobs and opportunities, why do many Dominicans still believe the opposite? It’s time to shake off pessimism and recognize what we truly are: a strong, resilient nation with a future full of possibilities. We know that when the world hesitates, it is our determination that builds solid foundations,” he stated.
He continued: “We are not tied to the past nor limited by fear. Because when the world doubts, we decide. And when others stop, the Dominican Republic moves forward.”
Abinader highlighted that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate reached 5% in 2024, well above the Latin American average of 2.5%. This growth solidifies the Dominican Republic as one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, laying the groundwork for the ambitious goal of doubling the economy’s size in the next decade and reaching a per capita income of US$15,000.
Beyond growth, the President expressed his commitment to fostering an inclusive economy and expanding the middle class, aiming to increase its share of the population from 40% to 50% in the coming years.
“Our economic stability, social peace, and reform agenda have made the Dominican Republic the leading recipient of foreign investment in Central America and the Caribbean. In 2024, we reached a record foreign direct investment of US$4.5 billion, marking the third consecutive year of foreign investment surpassing US$4 billion,” Abinader highlighted.
Abinader stressed the importance of trade with the United States, the country’s largest partner. He said that in 2024, 53% of Dominican exports were to the United States.
Read more in Spanish:
Presidency
El Nuevo Diario
Diario Libre
27 March 2025