The Dominican Republic Ambassador to Jamaica, Angie Martinez put on a sumptuous reception at her official residence in St Andrew to celebrate the 178th anniversary of her country’s independence.

Addressing her guests, she spoke about the Dominican Republic’s fight for freedom and its collective will to throw off the shackles of being a colony of a foreign power. It was a struggle to achieve self-determination.

Ambassador Martinez drew attention to her country’s special relationship with Jamaica and the number of companies that have invested in the Dominican Republic and also the growing investments from there made in Jamaica.

Read her full address below: 

Good evening, welcome all to the reception for the 178th anniversary of Independence of the Dominican Republic.

I must first thank God for this honour to stand before you on this special occasion…one that is very important in the lives of all Dominicans, our Independence.

The Dominican Republic celebrates with great pride and joy, the 178th Anniversary of the most significant period in the nation’s history.

It was on the night of February 27, 1844, when Ramón Matías Mella fired the trabucazo, and the national flag was hoisted for the first time, announcing to the world the birth of a new country, free and independent of any foreign power: the Dominican Republic.

It is striking that those who were at the forefront of that revolution were young people in their 20s. That is the great value of youth.

Women also played a stellar role in our independence:

Josefa Antonia Pérez de la Paz; Juana Saltitopa; Bona Conception; Petronila Abreu, María Trinidad Sánchez, among others; they joined our liberators, risking their lives and their economic resources so that today we can call ourselves Dominicans.

The name the ‘Dominican Republic’, for many, is associated with beautiful landscapes, merengue and bachata, exquisite gastronomy, white sand beaches with crystal clear waters, an excellent tourist destination, great musical artistes, but above all, our main attraction and resource is our people; good, friendly, cheerful, noble and hospitable.

We are a people who fight every day, united for the progress and growth, not only for our own families and people, but also for our sister nations.

Today we celebrate the heroic Dominicans, who have defended and continues to courageously defend their status as sovereign, free and independent people throughout our history and have been characterised by their tireless struggle for freedom.

FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

However, the fight for freedom does not stop, it evolves and transforms. Today we have new challenges: we are no longer shackled by chains, but by poverty, injustice, inequality and lack of opportunities.

This is not a fight that can be won by any one individual country. We, as humanity, have to fight to be free of these modern-day chains that tries to keep us bound.

The Dominican Republic has become a reference point for economic growth within our region. The country enjoys a highly diversified, vibrant and modern economy.

Like every country in the world though, over the last two years, the DR have had to battle with the negative effects of a pandemic, which have caused major economic downturn in the nation.

However, like a phoenix, the country has begun its rise from this major economic setback, to becoming one the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean with the highest GDP growth.

This fast economic turnaround can be attributed to a number of factors; some of which includes the fastest reopening of the tourism sector, the increased focus on free zone development and the continued emphasis and importance placed on foreign direct investments.

Our country offers a solid fiscal system and political, social and economic stability which is an amazing platform for businesses looking to invest in the DR. This is well represented by Jamaican companies in the Dominican Republic who are success stories; companies like Jamaica Producers and JMMB, both of whom are represented here today.

In the same breath, I wish to highlight the Dominican investments represented in Jamaica, which is a badge of honour for us as Dominican people here in Jamaica and for the Embassy. These investments include:

1-Newport Fersan Jamaica Limited

2-Hyundai Magna Motors Jamaica

3-GB Energy Texaco

4-IMCA (Caterpillar) Jamaica

5-Therrestra Limited

6-ICGA

7-Harmony Entertaiment, among others

The Embassy, along with Jampro are working hard to promote Jamaica in the Dominican Republic and are seeking to form fruitful and vital synergies and partnerships.

And let me tell you something, we have other important families in the DR who are looking to make more investments in Jamaica, some even as soon as this year.

AND BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER, I would like to express my gratitude to these Dominican and Jamaican companies. This reception has been made possible because of the financial support of the private sector, because our country as other countries are right now in austerity as a result of the pandemic.

So thanks to the CEO of Newport FERSAN Jamaica, IMCA CATERPILLAR Jamaica, Hyundai Magna Motors Jamaica, GB ENERGY Texaco, THERRESTRA, ICGA (International consulting group associates); CMK GLOBAL ENTERPRISES LTD; JMBB and Jamaica Producers.

I would like to express a special thanks to the dominican entrepreneur Ho-Chi-Min Castillo and his company Harmony Entertaiment for this spectacular production that you have prepared for this reception and for bringing to Jamaica our music and national rhythms.

KINDNESS AND COURTESY

I am grateful for this opportunity to say thanks to the Government and people of Jamaica.

Since my arrival here, my family and I have been privileged to witness and experience the kindness and courtesy of everyone, from the Foreign Ministries and other Ministries, the business communities, to the ordinary Jamaican. Thank you for making me feel at home. 

I have been blessed with a hardworking team at the Embassy of the Dominican Republic, together with whom, based on the vision of the government of His Excellency Luis Abinader and Foreign Minister, His Excellency Roberto Alvarez, we are charting a new path and birthing a new era in the bilateral relations with Jamaica, who we consider a leader in the Caribbean and a natural and important ally. Together: ‘We Make Things Happen.’

Some of the things we have accomplished include:

• the establishment of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce in the Dominican Republic (JAMCHAM-DR)

• The donation of COVID Vaccines to the government of Jamaica in the most difficult times and our commitment to continue supporting Jamaica in the fight against the COVID-19.

• the execution of multiple commercial missions to the DR.

• Webinars highlighting opportunities available in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica

• The launch of the Dom Rep School adoption program; among others.

We are looking to sign several agreements and MOUs soon. Some are these include:

– the signing of an Air Service/ Air Transport Agreement, which will significantly improve connectivity between the two countries, minimising the travel times from between 9-14 hours to one hour, which will increase commerce and trade and ensure the success of the multidestination tourism.

– the signing of a MOU for language training in Spanish and English;

We are seeking to share in a more reciprocal way, best practices, and establish strong cooperation in agriculture, transport, education, security, Sister Cities agreement; among others.

The Dominican Republic believes in forming synergies. Indeed, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica are growing stronger together, THANKS TO THE ALMIGHTY!

Before I close, I would like to reiterate to the Government of Jamaica, its different ministries, agencies and organization, the Diplomatic Corp, the Jamaica and Dominican business communities that full support and cooperation of the Embassy of the Dominican Republic; and wish to propose a toast in the name of the People and Government of the Dominican Republic to the people and Government of Jamaica given the friendship and affection between our countries.

I would like to invited to the stage a Minister who, from my arrival, has given me his full support, and who is a true ally and friend of the Dominican Republic; please join me on stage Minister Bartlett.

Long live the Dominican Republic!

Long live Jamaica and the sister countries that celebrate with us tonight, the 178th anniversary of the independence of the Dominican Republic!

Viva la República Dominicana!!

Viva Jamaica!!