With the 7th EPA Awards, the European Union celebrates trade relations with the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The European Union in the Dominican Republic celebrated the VII edition of the EPA Awards, commemorating strong and fruitful bilateral economic relations, both at the trade and investment levels. These relations have been framed in the last 16 years within the framework of the Economic Partnership Agreement signed between the CARIFORUM States and the EU, mostly known as EPA for its acronym in English.

The event, which brought together all the relevant actors in the field of foreign trade in the Dominican Republic, recognized trade operators who have stood out for using the benefits provided by the agreement and who have also successfully placed their offers in the markets of the European Union and/or the Dominican Republic.

This year, six companies were awarded in different categories, in addition to the more than forty recognized in previous editions. Specifically:

i) Goods: Grupo Mallén

ii) Services: Viafirma

iii) MSMEs Women Exporters: Adonai Produce

iv) Sustainability and Circular Economy: Profine Energy

v) Fair Trade: Yacao

vi) Investment: Grupo Piñero

The Ambassador of the European Union, Katja Afheldt, reiterated that the Dominican Republic and the European Union are natural partners. During her speech, Afheldt recalled that the EPA is a tool that provides predictability and certainty to economic agents, promotes trade and investment, and is two powerful engines for generating growth, wealth, and jobs. He also mentioned the complexity of the current geopolitical scenario and the EU’s intention to deepen alliances with EU countries that share values, defend multilateralism, and have a similar vision on how to face global challenges, as is the case of the Dominican Republic.

Pavel Isa, Minister of Economy, Planning and Development, said, “The EPA is much more than a trade agreement, as it contemplates the development dimension. The European Union is the main donor of funds to the development of the country and was the first to bet on key sectors of the Dominican economy, such as tourism and sustainable transport. Today, European cooperation is also committed to a fair and inclusive digital green transition. Its support to the microfinance sector has been essential to generate economic opportunities for MSMEs and vulnerable people, such as women and youth.”

The keynote address was given by renowned economist Raúl Ovalle, who gave a presentation entitled “From Trade and Investment to Prosperity: The Role of the EPA on the Road to RD2036”. In his speech, Ovalle explained how the expansion of market access and the EPA are essential tools to materialize the vision of development that President Abinader’s administration has set out through its strategy Goal RD 2036 and whose main objective is to double the size of the country’s real GDP in that period.

Biviana Riveiro, Executive Director of ProDominicana, led the conclusions and response to the keynote address. She indicated that the EPA not only facilitates trade between the Dominican Republic and the EU but also contributes to sustainable development, competitiveness, and the country’s integration into the global economy. She added that to maximize the impact of this link; it is key to promote knowledge and training in quality standards, sustainability, and international certifications so that Dominican products and services can take full advantage of this access to the European market.

The award-winning companies were chosen by an Evaluation Committee chaired by the Delegation of the European Union and composed of the Vice Ministry of Foreign Trade (MICM), ProDominicana, the Dominican Association of Exporters, the Foreign Investment Association, the Chamber of Commerce and Production of Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic Services Coalition, the Eurochamber, the Caribbean Export Development Agency and the Economic and Commercial Counselors of the Member States of the European Union.

The award ceremony and celebration of the EPA Awards was attended by Ambassadors Katja Afheldt (European Union), Antonio Pérez-Hernández y Torra (Spain), Stefano Queirolo Palmas (Italy), Maike Friedrichsen (Germany), Antti Kaski (Finland), Sonia Barbry (France), the Minister of Economy, Planning and Development, Pável Isa Contreras; Biviana Riveiro, Executive Director of Prodominicana; Dharuelly D’Aza, Vice President of the Chamber oD’Azauties; Vice Ministers Hugo Rivera (MIREX) and Olaya Dotel (MEPYD), Leandro Villanueva (Public Health); Gabino Polanco (Technical Director DGA).