On Friday, 30 May 2025, the Center for Industrial Development and Competitiveness (Proindustria) formalized an inter-institutional agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Loyola Polytechnic Institute. The pact aims to accelerate innovation in the Dominican Republic’s manufacturing industry by strengthening the startup ecosystem.
The agreement establishes the Startup Ecosystem Development and Acceleration Program, an initiative focused on fostering industrial entrepreneurship through training, mentorship, and innovative prototyping for the benefit of the national manufacturing sector.
With a national and inclusive focus, the program aims to train at least 100 Dominican industrial entrepreneurs in startup-oriented methodologies and support 20 of them in developing and prototyping their products or services. Additionally, it seeks to create a network of mentors and experts to provide technical guidance throughout the process.
A key component of the agreement is the establishment of the Industrial Innovation Laboratory, which will be located in the San Cristóbal Industrial Park. This state-of-the-art facility will offer comprehensive support to entrepreneurs, backed by Loyola Polytechnic Institute’s technical expertise and international cooperation from JICA and UNDP.
Each signatory organization will play a crucial role in executing the project: Proindustria will manage industrial partnerships; JICA will provide specialized technical cooperation; UNDP will focus on human development and inclusion; and Loyola Polytechnic Institute will contribute its academic infrastructure and young talent.
During the ceremony, Proindustria’s general director, Rafael Cruz Rodríguez, emphasized that this agreement represents a strong commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and industrial transformation needed for continued equitable and sustainable growth in the country.
The event was attended by Kota Sakaguchi, JICA’s resident =representative; Ana María Díaz, UNDP’s resident representative; and Father José Victoriano, rector of Loyola Polytechnic Institute, who all signed the agreement along with Proindustria’s general director.
Rector Victoriano thanked the signatory institutions and their technical teams “for promoting this type of alliance that seeks to transform lives through technology, training, and dignified work.”
UNDP’s Ana María Díaz stated, “For us, this signing is not an end in itself but a roadmap and a promise for the future. We believe that true sustainable development starts locally, breaking down structural barriers and strengthening capacities.”
JICA’s Kota Sakaguchi added: “This project will boost and stimulate entrepreneurs and the startup ecosystem. We will continue moving forward together to create new experiences here in the Dominican Republic.”
The project also includes partnerships with other technical institutes in the country to broaden access to technological resources, ensuring more entrepreneurs can join the innovation ecosystem regardless of their geographical location or social status.
Furthermore, the initiative will prioritize sustainability and inclusion, encouraging participation from women, youth, and vulnerable communities to bridge entrepreneurship gaps and generate positive social impact from the industrial sector.
Technical representatives from involved institutions and strategic allies from academia and industry also attended, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting new opportunities for young entrepreneurs and cultivating an innovation culture that strengthens the Dominican economy locally and globally.
Through this alliance, Proindustria reaffirms its commitment to the competitive development of the manufacturing sector, generating synergies between industry, academia, and international cooperation to continue fostering Dominican talent and the country’s sustainable growth.
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ProIndustria
Noticias SIN
2 June 2025