Exports from Free Zones exceed 4 billion dollars in the first half of 2023

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Association of Free Zones (ADOZONA) has hailed the historic performance of the sector in the first half of the year. According to data from the General Directorate of Customs, exports from free zones accounted for 64.8% of the total exported, reaching a value of $4 billion. This marks the first time that exports from free zones in the Dominican Republic have exceeded $4 billion in the first semester.

Luis José Bonilla Bojos, president of ADOZONA, emphasized the continuous growth of the sector and highlighted the significance of free zones in the Dominican economy. He expressed that surpassing $4 billion in exports from free zones in the first half of the year is a historic milestone.

The month of June saw an 8.4% increase in exports, reaching $767.47 million compared to $708.31 million in June 2022. This growth follows the record-breaking performance in May 2023, where exports grew by 10.61% and exceeded the previous year’s results.

The accumulated value of exports for the first semester showed a slight growth of 2.9% compared to the same period in the previous year, amounting to $4 billion. ADOZONA reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with its members and relevant authorities to create a favorable environment for the development of the free zone sector in the Dominican Republic.

Condé Nast Traveler - The 28 most beautiful places in the Caribbean

Altos de Chavón, Dominican Republic

For an uncanny slice of Europe in the Caribbean, head to Altos de Chavón, an exact replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village located in the Dominican Republic. This charming little village opened to the public in 1982 and remains a popular tourist attraction thanks to its restaurants and artisan shops, 5,000-seat amphitheater (Frank Sinatra and Elton John have held concerts here, among many others), and unparalleled views over the Chavón River.

Tony Raful holds an inter-institutional meeting with senior Italian representatives from different sectors

Ambassador Tony Raful recently conducted an inter-institutional meeting with prominent Italian representatives in the fields of culture, science, sports, and defense diplomacy. The meeting, led by the NGO Visionando and attended by lawyer Antonella Succi and Lic. Licia Colombo, aimed to foster joint initiatives and promote inter-institutional cooperation.

During the meeting, Ambassador Raful, accompanied by Michelle Guzmán from the commercial section and Joaquín Taveras from the cooperation and culture section, expressed gratitude to the attendees. They exchanged opinions and discussed collaborative projects for the development and implementation of actions to enhance inter-institutional cooperation.

Ambassador Raful presented a comprehensive overview of relevant aspects of cooperation for the Dominican Republic, including commercial, academic, and cultural projects outlined in the Mission’s operational plan. These projects encompassed initiatives such as the exhibition of the Cemí archaeological piece of Taino cotton from the University of Turin, cooperation and trade agreements, orange tourism, naval exchange in anticipation of the arrival of the Amerigo Vespucci at the port of Santo Domingo, and participation in upcoming sports events like the Milano Cortina Games in 2026.

The meeting was attended by various distinguished individuals, including Honorable Sandra Cioffi, a Deputy of the Republic, Professor Broz from the American University of Science and Technology, Vincenzo Sanasi d’Arpe, President of the World Food Program Italy (WFP Italy), Raimondo Astarita, Commissioner of the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Games, and members of the Grimaldi Alliance law firm, with lawyer Stefano Bianchi playing a significant role in the mediation. Lawyer Lieutenant Colonel Federica Mondani represented the Italian Armed Forces.

Possible pitfalls in your Real Estate purchase contract in the Dominican Republic

The most critical part of the real estate buying process in the Dominican Republic is reviewing the purchase contract. In the Dominican Republic, as with most countries, an agreement between two parties is binding as long as it does not violate the country’s laws. So, once you’ve signed the purchase contract, you’re obligated to whatever terms you’ve agreed to.

Many foreigners like to go the “Do it Yourself” or “DIY” route to save money when reviewing and negotiating purchase contracts. And if you’re going at this alone, especially buying property outside of your home country, you’ll ultimately end up agreeing to some unfavorable terms and clauses.

To avoid any issues, retain an attorney specializing in real estate in the DR.

Here are five purchase contract details that buyers and their attorneys must pay attention to:
1. The Contract Language
2. Force Majeure
3. Developer Penalties
4. One-Year Guarantee
5. Agreed To vs. Delivered Unit Size

The Contract Language

Developers in the Dominican Republic will often present English-speaking buyers with contracts in Spanish. Whether you have an attorney or not, you need to request an English version of the purchase contract. You’ve got to be able to read and understand what you are signing.

Force Majeure

Force majeure applies to acts of God like earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or lightning strikes. However, some developers may include things like construction permit delays or sub-contractors not delivering on time in the force majeure clause in the contract. These types of incidents do not apply to force majeure, and your attorney should insist on getting these types of stipulations removed.

Developer Penalties

You want to purchase a unit, and the developer says they plan to deliver it by January 2024. What happens if construction is delayed for a year, and you get your unit in January 2025?

Your attorney should negotiate penalty terms with the developer if construction is delayed.

How would you calculate the penalty amount? If you were planning to use the unit as a short-term rental, you’re missing out on months of potential rental income. So, your attorney would use your projected monthly rental losses due to the delay to negotiate penalty terms with the developer.

One-Year Guarantee

In Dominican law, there is a one-year guarantee on new builds. So, suppose there are issues (structural, plumbing, electrical, etc.) within one year after the delivery of your unit. In that case, the developer is obligated to remedy and repair it regardless of the cost they incur.

However, in some instances, developers may have a construction guarantee clause in the purchase contract that goes up to 3 to 6 months. And, if you or your attorney misses that and you sign that contract, you’ve just agreed to give up 6 to 9 months of the guarantee period that the law allows to you.

Agreed To vs. Delivered Unit Size

There are some cases, specifically if you buy in preconstruction, where the developer will have a clause in the contract that says if there is variation in the size of the unit upon delivery, the price stays the same.

So, if you purchased (agreed to) a 300 square meter (3,229 square feet) condo unit at $120,000 or $400 per square meter in preconstruction and at delivery, your unit is 250 square meters (2,690 square feet), you’d still be on the hook for $120,000, and you’re getting 50 square meters (538 square feet) less than you agreed to. That’s a $20,000 loss in per-square-meter terms.

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Maria Abreu is the CEO and Managing Attorney of Abreu & Associates, a law firm practicing exclusively in Dominican Republic Immigration and Nationality law. She is also the founder of Retire and Invest DR. This organization hosts conference events for foreigners interested in living, retiring, and investing in the DR. You can contact Maria at: mabreu@abreuimmigration.com.

Government of the United States praises efforts of the Interior and Police in police reform in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- The Government of the United States has commended the Dominican authorities, specifically the Ministry of Interior and Police, for their significant efforts in implementing important and necessary police reforms. The U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic expressed its support and highlighted a meeting between its Business Manager, Isiah Parnell, and the Minister of Interior and Police, Jesús Vásquez Martínez.

In a series of tweets, the U.S. government expressed pride in its role of providing training, technological support, collaboration for supervision and accountability, and assistance to the polygraph unit as part of its support for police reform in the Dominican Republic. They used the hashtag #SeguridadparaTodos (Security for All) to emphasize their commitment to enhancing citizen safety.

During the private meeting between Parnell and Minister Vásquez Martínez, the latter provided detailed information about the progress of police reform. The minister explained initiatives such as the “Back to the Neighborhood” program and the training for a “Network of Community Leaders Mediating Conflicts for Peaceful Coexistence.” These programs aim to prevent and reduce crime, improve citizen security, and combat community violence.

The U.S. delegation accompanying Parnell included the deputy chief of narcotics, Paul Butki; the head of the political section, Tea Bryan; and Rebeca Latorraca, the country director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Minister Vásquez Martínez was accompanied by Víctor Benavides, the director of the ministerial Cabinet. The positive evaluations from the U.S. diplomatic mission reflect their recognition of the Dominican government’s efforts in police reform.

Real estate projects represent 42% of tourism investments in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- The business sector has recognized the evolving travel landscape, leading to a significant shift in investment patterns. Statistics from the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) indicate that real estate constructions account for 42% of investments in the travel and tourism sector, amounting to US$4.5 billion out of a total of US$10.7 billion as of July 2023.

Hotel investments follow closely at 41%, totaling US$4.4 billion, while undefined investments make up 10% with US$1,072 million. Infrastructure investments represent the remaining 7%, amounting to US$756 million, as reported by Mitur.

Minister of Tourism, David Collado, sees these figures as a testament to the private sector’s support for the sector’s growth. He concurs with Vice Minister of Tourism, Jacqueline Mora, who noted that there are 187 approved investment projects by the Tourism Promotion Council (Confotur).

The Minister emphasized that real estate stands out as the primary focus of investment. He stated, “Construction has played a vital role in recent years; infrastructure is indispensable for tourism, and Ciudad Corazón has been at the forefront of real estate tourism.”

APORDOM closes the first half of 2023 in record numbers with the arrival of cruise ships to the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- In June 2023, cruise tourism in the Dominican Republic reached remarkable heights, as reported by the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM). A total of 144,525 cruise passengers arrived on 44 vessels during the month, contributing to a robust first semester with a total of 1,266,732 passengers by sea.

These results showcase the enduring appeal of Dominican destinations, effective management in collaboration with the private sector, substantial investments in terminals, and the trust placed by major cruise lines in the country.

Throughout June, the Dominican port terminals welcomed diverse ships from various parts of the world. Among the 44 cruise ships, 15 docked at the Amber Cove terminal, 12 at Taíno Bay, 4 at La Romana, and 14 ferries arrived in Santo Domingo. These terminals are favored by cruise lines due to their modern infrastructure and the authentic experiences they offer to passengers.

The figures for June 2023 are particularly noteworthy when compared to the same period in the previous year. In June 2022, the Dominican Republic received 78,279 cruise passengers, indicating a significant growth of 84% in visitor numbers choosing the country as a destination for their cruise vacations.

Furthermore, it is important to highlight that the total number of cruise passengers in 2022 amounted to 1,325,442. With the impressive performance in the first half of 2023, the country is on track to surpass these figures and sustain the growth of cruise tourism in the Dominican Republic.

Jean Luis Rodríguez, the executive director of the Dominican Port Authority, expressed satisfaction with the June report and emphasized the significance of cruise tourism for the country’s economy. He stated, “We are delighted to witness the continuous growth of cruise tourism in the Dominican Republic. These record-breaking numbers and the 84% increase compared to June last year underscore the allure and quality of our terminals and destinations. Working closely with Minister David Collado, we will continue our dedicated efforts to provide exceptional experiences to our visitors and solidify our position as the most appealing and hospitable destination in the Caribbean.”

Dominican Republic reaches historical record of 5.3 million tourists in the first semester

Santo Domingo.- Minister of Tourism, David Collado, announced that the Dominican Republic has achieved a significant milestone by receiving over 5.3 million visitors in the first six months of 2023. This accomplishment, according to Collado’s projections, indicates that the country is on track to achieve its goal of welcoming 10 million tourists.

During a lunch event attended by the governor of the Central Bank, Héctor Valdez Albizu, Collado presented the tourism performance results for the first half of the year. He revealed that in June alone, the country received 707,283 tourists, reflecting a growth of 21% compared to 2018, 20% compared to 2019, and 10% compared to 2022.

Collado emphasized that from January to June, the Dominican Republic welcomed 4,086,675 tourists by air, marking the highest number of visitors in a six-month period in the country’s history.

Additionally, Collado highlighted the sustained growth in the arrival of cruise passengers through various ports. He noted that during the first six months of the year, the country welcomed 1,267,451 cruise passengers, a record figure.

Combining the numbers of visitors by air and sea, the Dominican Republic received a historic total of 5,354,126 people, as stated by the minister.

Collado reiterated his confidence in reaching the goal of 10 million visitors, emphasizing that achieving the arrival of 5.3 million tourists by mid-year sets a strong foundation for this target.

The population of the Dominican Republic has grown around 11.7 times in almost 100 years

Santo Domingo.- The population of the Dominican Republic has experienced significant growth since the first national census was conducted. From the initial census in 1921, which counted approximately 895,000 people, to the most recent census in 2010, the population has grown around 11.7 times its original size.

In the 1920s, under the governance of General Thomas Snowden, the first national census was ordered, revealing a population of around 895,000 Dominicans. Over the following years, successive censuses showed a rapid increase in the Dominican population, reaching over one million people during the rule of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina.

By the time of the 2010 census, conducted during the last term of government under Leonel Fernández, the population had reached 10 million people.

In November 2022, the Tenth National Population and Housing Census was conducted. However, the official results are still pending. The National Statistics Office (ONE) announced that the post-registration stage would conclude by the end of the first quarter of 2023, with preliminary results expected to be available in the third quarter.

The ONE reported the successful completion of the initial post-registration stage, which involved reviewing and integrating the census database. They are now focused on evaluating the coverage and quality of the census in preparation for the release of preliminary results.

Government issues decree establishing a 10-year ban on sea turtles

The Executive Branch issued decree 285-23, establishing a 10-year ban on the capture, killing, egg collection, and commercialization of sea turtles.

Among them, whose common names are: Green Turtle, Hawksbill, Guacamo, and Tinglar.

This decree establishes that manufacturing, trading, and selling handicrafts made from the shells of the aforementioned turtles is prohibited.

Likewise, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is instructed to make the corresponding adjustments in its internal processes to immediately initiate the application of this decree and notify the general public of the prohibition concerning the species of the family Chelonidae and Dermochelydae.

All-inclusive Dominican Republic hotels nominated for Travvy Awards 2023

Santo Domingo.- The Travvy Awards 2023 unveiled the nominees for the best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, and lodging establishments in the Dominican Republic have several nominations. This year marks the ninth edition of the prestigious awards at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center on November 2.

Voting is officially open for this, so you can enter and choose your favorite tour operators and vacation packagers, car rentals, destinations, hotels, cruise ships and cruise lines, tourism boards, and more.

As “Best All-Inclusive Resort for Adults/Couples – Caribbean” nominees are:

Bahia Hermitage Antigua
Melia Punta Cana Beach Wellness Inclusive – Adults Only
Sanctuary Cap Cana
Sandals Grande Santa Lucia
Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay
TRS Turquesa Cap Cana Hotel

Meanwhile, as “Best All-Inclusive Family Resort – Caribbean”:

Playas Turks and Caicos Islands
Dreams Macao
Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa
Falcon Resorts by Meliá All Suites Punta Cana
Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa
Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana
Moon Palace Jamaica
Tropical Deluxe Princess Bavaro

As “Best Luxury All Inclusive Resort – Caribbean” are nominated:

Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda- Dominican Republic
Hamaca Cove Antigua
Bahia Hermitage Antigua
Live Aqua Beach Resort Punta Cana
Margaritaville Cap Cana
Sanctuary Cap Cana
Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay

For “Best All Inclusive Wedding Resort”:

Sueños Playa Mujeres Resort
Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa
Hotel Xcaret Arte
Hyatt Ziva Cancun
Sanctuary Cap Cana
Secrets Maroma

As “Best All Inclusive Resort – Spa & Wellness”:

Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa
Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana
The Beach House
Le Blanc Spa Resort, Los Cabos
Secretos Bahia Mita Surf & Spa
The BodyHoliday – Santa Lucia
The Brando, Tetiaroa, Tahiti
Coral Hotel

And for the “Best All Inclusive General”:

Club Med Punta Cana
Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa
Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa
Bahia Hermitage Antigua
La Casa de la Playa
Le Blanc Spa Resort, Los Cabos
Sanctuary Cap Cana
Secrets Impression Moxche
The Grand at Moon Palace Cancun

New York Comptroller announces they will invest pension funds in the Dominican Republic

New York.- Thomas DiNapoli, the New York State Comptroller, has announced progress in discussions regarding allocating a portion of the $350 billion available in New York pension funds for investment in development projects in the Dominican Republic. Accompanied by New York Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, Henry Garrido (Executive Director of the New York City Workers Union), and a committee of entrepreneurs who own significant Dominican companies and businesses in New York and the Dominican Republic, DiNapoli held a meeting in the Dominican Republic to explore investment opportunities.

Prior to the business meeting in Santo Domingo, DiNapoli was warmly welcomed by President Luis Abinader at the National Palace. DiNapoli expressed his appreciation for the economic and political stability that the country offers to investors like him. The potential investment focus areas discussed for the pension funds include agriculture, health, logistics, and others.

Following the meeting with the Dominican community, DiNapoli emphasized the importance of considering the perspectives heard from different sectors during their visit. The State of New York has a pension fund of $350 billion, the second-largest in the United States after California.

According to Ydanis Rodríguez, the presence of the New York State Comptroller in the Dominican Republic is part of an effort to connect the country with opportunities for inclusive and sustainable development. Congressman Adriano Espaillat highlighted DiNapoli’s significant role as the largest investor in New York. He mentioned that a similar investment model was used in the early stages of Punta Cana through lawyer and congressman Charles Rangel.

Henry Garrido, Executive Director of the New York Workers Union, described the business meeting in the Dominican Republic as historic, transformative, and promising for the country. He stated that the vision to invest New York pension funds in critical areas such as agriculture, low-cost housing, and energy began to take shape during a previous visit with then-Mayor-elect Eric Adams.

Other participants in the meeting included Raúl Hernández Báez, Technical Director of the Dominican Association of Pension Fund Administrators (Adafp), Sandy Filpo, President of the Santiago Merchants Association, and various other businessmen.

World2Fly flight to Santiago triggers tourist arrivals to Senator Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata, DR.- The direct link between Madrid-Santiago of World2Fly, an airline of the travel division of the Iberostar Group, has reactivated the arrival of tourists from Spain to the tourist destination of Puerto Plata.

Alejandro Castillo, general director of Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort, explained to arecoa.com that this has benefited the lodging establishment because previously, there were no Spanish visitors from this market, and they are now receiving groups of visitors.

“Although the link began recently and only with a weekly frequency, with a view to increasing, it has been beneficial, since the airline’s operations are very important for us and for the destination,” he added.

As for occupancy, the executive said that for July and August, the Senator Hotel and the Playa Bachata Resorts have an average occupancy rate of 50% more than the same months of the past 2022.

He said this is due to visitors from Canada, Europe, and Germany, “and on weekends, the most important market is the local one, especially at the Playa Bachata hotel.”

Castillo also said that the establishments already have reservations of over 20% in sales for the next high season.

Industries contribute 58.5% to economic growth in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic experienced significant economic growth between 2021 and 2022, with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs (MICM) playing a leading role in driving this expansion.

According to a study conducted by macroeconomics expert Magín J. Díaz and presented by the MICM, sectors such as free zones, local manufacturing, commerce, construction, transportation, storage, and other services contributed 58.5% to the overall economic growth during the mentioned period.

The study analyzed the contribution of MICM-related activities to the Dominican economy based on available statistics, focusing on five pillars: economic growth, foreign currency generation, labor market, contribution to the treasury, and productive chains.

Díaz highlighted the significant impact of these sectors on the economy, stating, “They were the sectors that fueled 60% of the economy. Not many sectors have exceeded their pre-COVID trends, with free zones being the most prominent, exceeding their trend by 10%.”

Magín Díaz presented these findings at an event commemorating the 57th anniversary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs. He pointed out that positive developments in foreign exchange-generating activities, including foreign direct investment and remittances, have contributed to exchange rate stability and bolstered the country’s gross international reserves, which represented 12.7% of GDP by the end of 2022, surpassing the International Monetary Fund’s recommended threshold of 10% of GDP.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs, Víctor “Ito” Bisonó, shared insights from the study, stating that the economic sectors within the MICM’s scope accounted for two-thirds of total sales in the economy and over 60% of market production. He emphasized that these sectors contributed nearly 60% of the accumulated GDP growth between 2021 and 2022. Notably, the manufacturing industry in free zones exhibited a GDP growth rate 10% higher than its pre-pandemic trend.

Bisonó further highlighted the role of foreign direct investment in the Dominican Republic’s economic recovery, noting that almost 40% of the FDI received by the country during 2021-2022 was directed toward sectors under the MICM’s purview. Additionally, these sectors accounted for approximately 80% of the country’s goods exports during the same period.

Mariano Rivera and businessmen will invest US$100 million in a waste recovery plant in Samaná

Samana.- Former New York Yankees player and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, Mariano Rivera, is set to make a $100 million investment in the Dominican Republic to contribute to the tourism and environmental development of the Samaná province. The investment will be directed toward the construction of the Northeast Valorization and Sanitary Landfill Plant, which will become the second CDR (Residue Derived Fuel) plant in the country.

The project aims to address the issue of solid waste in the Samaná and María Trinidad Sánchez provinces by treating and valorizing 450 tons of solid waste daily. The landfill plant will provide clean electricity generated from waste, contributing to sustainable tourism in the region.

The investment is being made through Constructora Maxter and the Panamanian company Figuro Corp (energy-42). Doménico Piacquadio, partner and general manager of Constructora Maxter, expressed their commitment to the province of Samaná and their desire to provide sustainable waste management solutions that eliminate open-air dumps. The initial investment in the Northeast Valorization and Sanitary Landfill Plant will be $8 million, with plans to invest $35 million in a second stage, eventually reaching $100 million.

Piacquadio highlighted Mariano Rivera’s passion for sustainable eco-tourism and his desire to positively contribute to the province. The project aims to promote sustainable waste management and respect for the environment in order to support the continued development of tourism.

Constructora Maxter focuses on comprehensive waste management and aims to improve public-private administration through frozen waste management prices for the next 20 years. The company operates within the circular economy, generating new raw materials from waste and transforming environmental liabilities into assets.

This philanthropic effort aligns with Mariano Rivera’s commitment to making a positive impact, both on the baseball field and through his philanthropic endeavors and gospel promotion. He previously visited the Dominican Republic in 2006, sharing his testimony of God’s work in his life during an event organized by the Tabernacle of Salvation Christian Church.

Government has granted loans in excess of RD$4.3 billion to young people for entrepreneurship

Santo Domingo.- Under the leadership of President Luis Abinader, the Dominican government, in collaboration with the Entrepreneurship Laboratory and the Fairs of the Ministry of Youth (MJ), has provided loans totaling more than RD$4.3 billion pesos to young people. This achievement marks a record in the creation and expansion of business ideas.

Benefitting a total of 51,784 young individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 across various provinces in the country, these loans were made possible through the National Council for the Promotion and Support of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (Promipyme). The Entrepreneurship and Policies Laboratory of the First Youth Employment, in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth’s Entrepreneurship and Youth Fair, facilitated the allocation of funds and acted as a platform for young entrepreneurs to access offerings from various banking institutions.

The financial support provided has led to the creation of 35,627 jobs and the strengthening of 222,671 existing positions. This has made a significant impact on the job market, with a total of 258,298 jobs being positively affected from August 16, 2020, to June 5, 2023.

Minister of Youth, Rafael Jesús Féliz García, expressed his gratitude to President Abinader, describing him as the primary ally of Dominican youth due to his unwavering support.

“President Abinader has gone above and beyond in supporting the youth of our country like never before. He is a president who defends and empathizes with the Dominican youth,” said Minister Féliz García.

The funds provided by Promipyme were disbursed to eligible applicants under the category of “entrepreneurship loans,” further demonstrating the government’s commitment to fostering youth entrepreneurship and economic growth in the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic and Cuba seal agreement to expand flights between the two countries

Santo Domingo.- José Marte Piantini, president of the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), and Armando Luis Daniel López, president of the Institute of Civil Aeronautics of Cuba (IACC), signed an agreement that will allow a greater flow of flights between the DR and Cuba.

The agreement was signed by Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, Minister of Transportation of the Republic of Cuba, and Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The document’s signing concludes the negotiations initiated through the Civil Aviation Board. It updates the agreement signed in Havana, Cuba, on December 9, 2005, with modifications to Article 3, which contains the provisions governing the designation and authorization of air operators between the two Caribbean territories.

At the beginning of the signing of the protocol, Marte Piantini indicated that the objective of updating the document signed 18 years ago was to increase the flow of passengers, commerce, connectivity, and, consequently, air transportation between the territories.

He added that “the signing of the agreement will generate benefits for air operators flying between Cuba and the Dominican Republic, two of the most important economies in the Caribbean, which now bring their commercial aviation relationship closer together.”

The JAC president stressed that the new document updates the commercial aviation relations between Cuba and the Dominican Republic, allowing multiple designations so that “all national airlines can operate air transport services of passengers, baggage, and cargo from the national territory to Cuba and vice versa.

The agreement between the two countries only allowed the designation of two airlines to each country, said José Marte Piantini, during the celebration of the Eleventh Meeting of Directors of Civil Aviation of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, an event organized by the ICAO Regional Office.

The official explained that “from the JAC, we continue working to realize the promise of the President of the Republic Luis Abinader, to turn the country into the hub of international air cargo with greater connection in the Caribbean through the updating of air services agreements and the negotiation of new agreements.”

At the meeting, the aeronautical authorities also proceeded to sign meeting minutes to analyze the capacity of air services between both States, the market’s current needs, and to increase the number of flights between both territories.

About frequencies, the document establishes the commitment to develop unlimited frequencies for the operation of air services in the routes contemplated in the annex of the agreement.

It also stated that, in the case of Havana’s José Martí International Airport, Dominican Airlines would be able to increase their frequencies to that destination.

Dominican-Cuban connectivity
According to information provided by the Statistics Division of the Air Transport Department of the JAC, it is projected that by the end of this year, 36 thousand passengers will be transported through the airport terminals, representing an increase of 32% compared to 2022.

Marte Piantini emphasized that “Cuba is the seventh most active Caribbean market for the Dominican Republic in terms of passenger transportation among the connections in the Caribbean.”

He pointed out that in the first five months of 2023, 11,000 passengers have been transported on commercial flights to and from Cuba.

136 flight operations scheduled at Las Americas this Friday

Santo Domingo.- The influx of domestic and foreign passengers leaving and entering the country has increased considerably in the last few days due to the summer season when hundreds of families leave the country for trips abroad after the end of the school and university term in the country.

According to the data, more than 50% of the visitors are departing and arriving from cities in the United States, such as New York, Miami, Florida, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Boston, New Jersey, and other U.S. states.

Passengers are also arriving and departing on flights from cities in Europe, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Canada and from South and Central America and the Caribbean.

In that order, the Department of Flight Operations of Aeropuertos Dominicanos XXI (Aerodom) reported that 136 flights were scheduled to operate this Friday, 76 of them arriving from abroad through Las Americas International Airport and 60 departing to these different destinations.

Meanwhile, Air Europa, Iberia, Condor, JetBlue, American Airlines, United Airlines, Copa, and Delta, among others, are arriving full of passengers who have the Dominican Republic as the preferred country to enjoy the rest period.

According to preliminary data, the leading airlines that operate regular and additional flights to and from the Dominican Republic maintain an occupancy factor between 90 and 95% of their seats for the current summer vacation season.

It was also observed that the flights arriving and departing the country this Friday are leaving with a considerable occupancy factor, mainly those coming from cities in the United States and the European continent.

Meanwhile, at the airport, in front of the airline counters, a considerable number of people were waiting in line to make their reservations for scheduled flights.

Meanwhile, the institutions that offer services to travelers in the terminal, such as the personnel of the General Directorate of Immigration and Customs, set up unique tables for the quick check of tourists, among which there are entire families, especially French and Spanish.

Vacationers are heading to Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, La Romana, Punta Cana, Bavaro, and other tourist areas, as confirmed by the representatives of the operating and hotel companies, where more than 80% of the tourists will stay.

Clinic for North American veterans opens in Bávaro – Punta Cana

Bávaro, Punta Cana.- Retired veterans of the United States Armed Forces who visit the Bávaro-Punta Cana area have an outpatient clinic at their service.

With the objective of improving their health and well-being, and honoring their sacrifices, the Veterans Community Care Abroad clinic was inaugurated on Avenida España, Corner Plaza, Bávaro.

Alfredo Cordero, retired Army captain and clinic executive, explained that this center is at the service of veterans who served the US for more than 120 days and who reside in the Dominican Republic, however, they are ready to receive active or retired Dominican soldiers, as well as other members of the local community on specific days.

Medical services are free of charge, as they are managed through a program of the US Armed Forces.

The clinic is an outpatient clinic that goes from an initial intervention with a general practitioner who deduces what conditions veterans suffer from, which have been produced or aggravated during military service.

General medicine, psychology, and rehabilitation of physical therapies are offered, as well as therapeutic and relaxing massages, psychiatry, and orthopedics, among other services.

Opening hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Phone: (809) 795-1198
WA: (809) 841-1198
Website: www.vccavet.com

The Dominican Republic registers the highest energy demand in its history

Santo Domingo.- Homero Figueroa, the spokesman, and director of Strategy and Communication of the Presidency, took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce a major milestone in the country’s electricity sector. He revealed that the sector had witnessed the highest demand in its history the previous night, with a total of 3,430.42 MW served. This achievement demonstrates the remarkable response capacity of the national electrical system.

Figueroa expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Today, more energy is generated and supplied than ever before.” He emphasized the growth and strength of the country’s energy sector, which has played a pivotal role in meeting the increasing demand for electricity.

Furthermore, Figueroa highlighted that the national electricity system currently supplies an average of 98% of the daily electricity demand. This level of supply exceeds the performance of previous years when the average energy supply did not surpass 85% between 2004 and 2019.

These statistics underscore the significant progress made in the country’s power generation and supply capacity. The rise in energy demand serves as an indicator of growth and development, while the ability of the electricity system to meet this demand reflects its robustness and efficiency.

Concluding his announcement, the spokesman for the Presidency assured that the country’s electricity sector is now stronger than ever and well-prepared to tackle future challenges that may arise.