Dominican Week in Spain will boost the country as an investment destination.

The Dominican Week in Spain Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce of Spain in the Dominican Republic ( CAMACOESRD ) presented the second edition of Dominican Week in Spain ( SEDE ), which will take place from October 27 to 30 in Madrid and will be attended by businesspeople, executives, government officials and other figures from the country’s private and public sectors.

The launch event took place last Thursday, August 7, at the Fray Antonio de Montesinos Monument, with the active participation of the Mayor of the National District, Carolina Mejía , the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Víctor Ito Bisonó , and the Minister of Culture, Roberto Salcedo . Also present were Ignacio Sánchez de Lerín and Pilar Serret , Minister Counselor and Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Spanish Embassy in Santo Domingo, respectively.

SEDE 2025 has become the most important platform for the Dominican private sector to strengthen relations with its second-largest international investment ally and one of its main trading partners: Spain. By organizing events that analyze the current opportunity for Dominican sectors, where investment and trade can be a significant opportunity for the Spanish business community, this initiative facilitates the revitalization of bilateral relations and, through a parallel cultural agenda, connects the Dominican diaspora with their country of origin.

Carolina Mejían stated that “from the National District Mayor’s Office, we enthusiastically support this initiative because we believe in a city and a country that projects itself to the world with pride and vision. And as Secretary General of the governing party, I reaffirm my commitment to a diplomacy that opens doors, creates opportunities, and connects our people, here and there.”

The mayor also noted that in 2023, bilateral trade exceeded $1.1 billion, and Spanish investments in tourism, infrastructure, and energy have been key to the Dominican Republic’s development. “But beyond the numbers, we are united by a human bond: more than 200,000 Dominicans live in Spain, working with dignity, contributing, and dreaming of a better country,” she said.

In this regard, Manuel García Arévalo emphasized the importance of this second edition of the initiative because it means that the first one met its objective and demonstrated the need for the platform as a tool for a different approach between businesspeople and authorities from the Dominican Republic in Spain.

“On this occasion, we will continue to strengthen the exchange of information and knowledge in key areas of business relations between both countries, such as infrastructure, finance, technology, tourism, manufacturing, and basic services. But we also want to continue serving as a channel for strengthening ties with the Dominican community in Spain, and we are finalizing a cultural agenda that includes cinema, the opening of the “Tovar Immersive” exhibition with the Rizek Group, and the presentation of a book by the Museo del Cordón in collaboration with Banco Popular. And, of course, we will support outstanding Dominican talent in Spain with a night of recognition, an event to which the Dominican Embassy in Spain, a permanent partner of SEDE, has made a special contribution,” he emphasized.

Bisonó highlighted the importance of Spain as a partner of the Dominican Republic in the area under its responsibility and the opportunity that SEDE provides as a “platform that allows us to showcase to the world, from Madrid, the richness and breadth of the Dominican Republic’s economic offering, the diversity of our productive sectors, and the vitality of a country that looks to the future with ambition, confidence, and concrete proposals.” He emphasized the fact that topics such as the creative economy and the potential of free trade zones, with a particular focus on the medical device sector, were included on the agenda. “The platform is a showcase of who we are and what we aspire to be.”

According to data from the Dominican Republic’s Central Bank , Spain was the second largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) to the Dominican Republic in 2024 for the second consecutive year, behind only the United States. Investment reached $1.126 billion, reflecting an increase of nearly 70% compared to 2023—already a record year—and accounted for nearly 25% of total FDI flows to the country.