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THE ITALIAN LEGACY IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
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tral America, the Caribbean, or European markets, using the network of trade agreements that our country
has signed. Likewise, our logistics capabilities would enable us to serve as a base of operations for the distribu-
tion of products sold to the United States, Central America, and the Caribbean, as well as being an attractive
destination for the manufacture of medical equipment and products, especially in Free Zones. In essence, we
offer unique opportunities for Italian companies that wish to reorganize their global value chains, which usu-
ally show high interest in the establishment of manufacturing and service centers in areas with geographical
proximity to large markets (“nearshoring”).
Likewise, we have much to learn from Italy and its experience of more than 50 years with industrial dis-
tricts, after having focused on these districts as a strategy for industrial development, especially in the case of
small and medium-sized companies, which constitute one of the strategic focal points of the MICM.
In the services sector, Italy’s investments in cultural services, such as the production of cinematographic
films, videos and television programs, sound recording, and music publishing, present opportunities to relo-
cate to the Dominican Republic, where we already have an agreement with Italy regarding filmmaking.
The Dominican Republic has historically been a favorite tourist destination for Italian travelers, a prefer-
ence that can be maintained and increased considering the excellent caliber of what we offer, our connectivity
abroad with world-class airports and tourist ports, and the integration of Italian gastronomy and culture with
our already established offerings. It is estimated that more than 150,000 Italians visit the Dominican Republic
each year, a figure that has expanded given the cruise ship stops operated in the ports of Santo Domingo and
La Romana by the Italian companies Costa Crociere, MSC, and Aida.
There are already various examples of successful Italian investments, such as Domicem (a subsidiary of
Colacem, the third largest cement producer in Italy); ACEA (which offers water treatment services through-
out the Dominican Republic); Ghella (which has built infrastructure works for the Dominican Republic and
Haiti); Erbaviva (which markets organic herbal products); CAME (representative and distributor of Italian
products, both in the country and in the region); and Selex (Finmeccanica’s operating branch, which has suc-
cessfully been doing business for nearly 20 years in the Dominican market).
As can be seen, there are evidently various success stories involving Italian investments in the Dominican
Republic, and these can certainly be replicated in various sectors. Our excellent geographical location and the
preferential access we have to important markets in the region, added to the prevailing business climate and
issues of safety and security, make us an ideal destination for Italian investment in the region.
Count on me as your friend, and the MICM as your strategic ally in the country, to accompany you in your
investment activities in the Dominican Republic and ensure their success. I am certain that, together, we will
see a rise in the importance of trade between our countries, and that we will make the Dominican Republic
one of Italy’s major partners in the region.