The Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Kingston will be hosting the second edition of the Dominican Republic-Jamaica Business Forum, which is aimed at fortifying both commercial and cultural ties between the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

The event is scheduled to take place in Kingston on Wednesday, April 17, and Thursday, April 18, 2024.

This business forum stands as a pivotal component of Dominican Week in Jamaica. Recognised as a premier diplomatic event in the Caribbean, Dominican Week fosters vital political, commercial, and cultural exchanges between the two nations. Commencing on Saturday, April 13, and extending through Saturday, April 20, this week-long celebration underscores the deepening relationship between the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

The embassy is collaborating with relevant stakeholders in Jamaica, such as Private Sector Organisation (PSOJ); JAMPRO; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce; Ministry of Tourism; Ministry of Agriculture; Jamaica Chamber of Commerce; the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Jamaica Stock Exchange.

Building upon the resounding success of the inaugural Dominican Week, which garnered acclaim from experts, politicians, and business leaders alike, the business forum facilitated over 350 B2B meetings between 150 Jamaican and 60 Dominican companies. This flourishing engagement underscores the vast potential for bilateral relations. Noteworthy achievements include a significant uptick in Dominican exports to Jamaica, amplified tourism, and heightened investment activities, all emblematic of the success achieved through diplomatic initiatives.

The Dominican Republic-Jamaica Business Forum is dedicated to fostering business and investment opportunities through strategic partnerships, B2B meetings, and insightful facility visits. With the participation of ministers and prominent businessmen from both nations, the forum will feature high-level panels, presentations, and thematic discussions covering vital areas such as trade, investment, tourism, finance, energy, connectivity, agriculture, innovation, and the orange economy.

Ambassador Angie Martínez emphasised that the “Second Dominican Week in Jamaica” unfolds amidst an unprecedented era of bilateral dynamism, characterized by burgeoning trade relations. Notable milestones include a tenfold increase in Jamaican exports to the Dominican Republic over the past year and a significant surge in passenger traffic between the two capitals, exemplifying an increase of over 80% in 2023 alone.

Interested parties are encouraged to register via the platform facilitated by the embassy, sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to schedule B2B meetings and connect with companies and sectors of interest. The platform also enables participants to receive personalised agendas via email, outlining their scheduled meetings during the business forum.