How Miami and the Dominican Republic want to strengthen economic ties
The Dominican Republic had the spotlight this month at an economic forum in Miami. Representatives said their country offers more than a strong tourism economy, but also focuses on real estate investment, energy, transportation and trade free zones.
“The economic growth of our country is not a temporary situation; it has been sustained for 30 years. We have one of the most robust democratic systems in the region,” said Geanilda Vásquez, consul general of the Dominican Republic in Miami.
The Dominican Republic and Miami-Dade Economics and Investment Opportunities Forum, held on Sept. 3 at the Dominican consulate in Brickell, attracted county leaders and representatives of the Dominican community. Their mission: to exchange ideas on how to bring the Dominican Republic and the United States, its main trading partner, closer together.
The Dominican Republic is Florida's fifth-largest trading partner globally and Miami-Dade's third, a point highlighted at the forum, coordinated by the Dominican International Business and Tourism Chamber.
Vásquez said the DR is the fastest-growing country in Latin America, with an inflation rate of 3.3%, which they have managed to control despite challenges.
In 2024, the DR received 11.2 million visitors, 40% of whom entered the country via Miami, which is also the main entry port for Dominican products into the U.S. market. This year, the consul general said the country hopes to hit 12 million tourists.
Trade between Miami and the Dominican Republic
The forum also focused on the importance of Miami as Latin America's financial capital and the contribution of Dominicans to its development in various professions and as business owners.
Pedro J. Díaz Ballester, president of the Dominican International Business and Tourism Chamber, said Dominicans live across Florida, including the central part of the state where they come seeking to buy property.
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Dominicans in South Florida send remittances to their country, but primarily invest in infrastructure, always dreaming of growing in the U.S. and then returning to the Dominican Republic, consulate officials said.
The forum featured panelists including Manny Cid, senior advisor for economic opportunities for Miami-Dade County; Nidia Martínez Quezada, vice president of business development for the Miami Beacon Council; and Martín Medina Gómez, vice President of the Dominican International Business and Tourism Chamber.
Miami-Dade officials spoke about the opportunities available to entrepreneurs through the STRIVE 305 program.
“We offer loans at very low interest,” said Cid, inviting Dominican entrepreneurs with a business idea to share them in the program, which can also help them from “A to Z” to establish a business in Miami.
Every week, 6,000 containers depart from Miami-Dade to the Dominican Republic, and four passenger and seven cargo airlines serve the Dominican Republic from Miami International Airport.
Consul Vásquez, meanwhile, sought the support of the city of Miami and the county to develop Allapattah, known as Little Santo Domingo.
This story was originally published September 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
