Santiago Chamber of Commerce highlights regional competitiveness

Santiago’s competitiveness is bolstered by the central government’s infrastructure investments, transforming the area’s urban landscape. The Chamber highlighted the impressive stretch of the Duarte Highway approaching Santiago, noting its modernity, accessibility, and smooth traffic flow, which facilitates travel to Santo Domingo. The Chamber advocates for the highway’s maintenance and expansion.

Carlos Iglesias, president of the Chamber, expressed hopes for the Duarte Highway’s expansion to six lanes up to Santo Domingo and the creation of an additional connection to the old Duarte Highway to alleviate congestion. He emphasized that these improvements would benefit the entire country by enhancing cargo flow between the north and south.

The Chamber also praised the construction of the monorail and the recent opening of the cable car, connecting central Santiago with Bellavista, Pastor, and surrounding areas, contributing to the city’s modernization.

Santiago faces the challenge of being productive as a Mediterranean city. Public investments have accelerated private investments in hotels, free zones, plazas, and real estate projects.

The Chamber concluded by highlighting the positive correlation between the Cibao region’s dynamism, particularly Santiago, and the overall growth of the Dominican economy, impacting national production, employment, and foreign currency generation.