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I extend a heartfelt welcome to each of you to the second Dominican Republic-Jamaica Business Forum, held within the framework of the second edition of the Dominican Republic Week in Jamaica. 

It’s a privilege to stand before such esteemed guests, representing a diverse spectrum of sectors and interests.

I am deeply honored as the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to witness the continuation of our nations’ journey toward strengthened ties, particularly in commerce and trade. 

This occasion signifies not only the progress we’ve made but also the potential for further growth and collaboration between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

In February of last year, we celebrated also the launch of the inaugural Dominican Week in Jamaica, a testament to our shared cultural heritage and a platform to showcase the richness of Dominican culture to our Jamaican friends. 

They say you never forget your first time, and that it’s often the best. 

Indeed, our inaugural Dominican Week in Jamaica was a resounding success and set a memorable precedent.

However, this year we have somehow managed to surpass all our expectations.

Last year, against all odds, with limited resources of every kind, and even with a broken ankle, we made the unthinkable happen: the birth of the first Dominican Week in Jamaica. 

A week that, through many sacrifices and efforts, brought us great satisfaction and whose results we are still witnessing today. 

The event drew over 3,000 participants and facilitated 300 B2B meetings involving 160 Jamaican firms and 60 Dominican firms, with attendees travelling from the Dominican Republic. 

This year, we initially questioned whether it would be possible to conduct another Dominican Week, facing the same limitations but fueled by the same dreams that inspired the first. 

After receiving the green light from our ministry, we often wondered if we could at least match the success of our inaugural event. Deep down, we yearned not just to match but to exceed our first attempt. What a tremendous challenge.

It’s remarkable to see the attention this second edition has garnered so far, with numerous companies traveling from the Dominican Republic since Saturday to forge connections and promote trade with Jamaican businesses eager to collaborate and do business.

Yes, it is truly astonishing to see how this event has outdone the previous one, raising the bar even higher for excellence and success.

And all of this is thanks to you, who have believed, just as we have, in the tremendous potential of Dominican Republic and Jamaica collaboration. 

Your faith and commitment are the driving forces behind the success we are celebrating today.

The Second Business Forum underscores a peak in bilateral relations, highlighted by significant dynamism with commerce as the central pillar. 

Our trade has impressively grown, now exceeding 134 million dollars. 

Additionally, Jamaican exports to the Dominican Republic are expected to increase tenfold, indicating a substantial rise in trade activities. 

The robust and sustained investments between the two nations epitomize successful South-South investments, showcasing a model of mutual economic cooperation and growth. 

Moreover, it seeks to promote both countries as investment, trade, and tourism destinations while fostering increased commercial trade and cultural exchange, thereby facilitating the creation of new business ventures and encouraging additional investments and tourism between our nations.

All that you see before you and have experienced over the last three years are clear indicators of a new era in bilateral relations than a fortune enough to witness and be part of.

This push was realised in a greater way when the capital cities of Santo Domingo and Kingston were connected in November 2022, with the inauguration of the first-ever direct flight connecting Santo Domingo and Kingston, courtesy of Arajet, a Dominican airline. 

This not only facilitated easier travel but also symbolized the commitment to enhancing relations between our countries. 

The Jamaica-Dominican Republic business forum will feature a high-level thematic panel and roundtable discussions led by government ministers, officials, and business representatives covering key sectors such as commerce, industry, investment, energy, tourism, aviation, ports, agriculture and others.

The programme features a pivotal panel discussion with distinguished business leaders from both the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. 

They will delve into the successful South-South investment model that the two countries exemplify, sharing their insights and experiences regarding investments within each nation.

Our mission at the Dominican Embassy in Jamaica is not only to promote Dominican trade and investments but also to facilitate Jamaican businesses and investments in both the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. 

This two-way approach is part of the new vision of foreign policy of the government of President Luis Abinader, and Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez.

And this new vision has been a key factor in our diplomatic success. 

That is what we are doing here with the Business Forum. We are match-making, keeping to nurture relationships, we are the “commercial cupids” between the commercial players in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

Furthermore, the business forum will include an award ceremony to honour companies and individuals from both countries who have been pioneers in business and have significantly contributed to reinforcing the bilateral and commercial ties between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

The Embassy is collaborating with relevant stakeholders in Jamaica, such as Private Sector Organization (PSOJ); JAMPRO; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Ministry of Industry, the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association; Investment and Commerce; Ministry of Tourism; Ministry of Agriculture; Jamaica Chamber of Commerce; Jamaica Stock Exchange; as well as entities from the Dominican Republic such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs, the Ministry of Tourism, Pro-Dominicana, the National Council of Free Export Zones (CNZFE), the National Council for Private Enterprise (CONEP), the Industry Association of the Dominican Republic (AIRD), the Jamaican Chamber of Commerce in the Dominican Republic (JAMCHAMDR), the Dominican Association of Exporters (ADOEXPO), and the Dominican Agro-Business Board (JAD). 

First and foremost, we extend our deepest gratitude to the IDB, the International Development Bank, for its invaluable support and for providing us with a wonderful platform to connect and match businesses from both countries. Special thanks also go to our Platinum sponsor, Domicem; our Diamond sponsors JMMB and AC Hotel Kingston; our Gold sponsors Fersan, Codelpa, Arajet; our Silver sponsors Magna Motors and Changan; our Bronze sponsors Ilumryco, Therrestra, IMCA, Gerdau Metaldom, Barcelo, Oliver and Oliver; and our supporting partners the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Select Brands, and InterEnergy. 

Without your collective support, this event and the activities of the second Dominican Week in Jamaica would not be possible.

As we embark on this journey together, let us seize the opportunities before us, explore new avenues of cooperation, and celebrate the richness of our cultural and economic collaboration. 

Together, we can build a future of prosperity for both the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

Thank you, and may this forum mark the beginning of successful collaborations and partnerships that will benefit both our nations economically.