The United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Leah Campos, formally began her institutional agenda with a visit to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Mipymes, where Minister Ito Bisonó led a high-level meeting to address key issues of the bilateral relationship in trade, investment, and technical cooperation.
During the meeting, both delegations reaffirmed the strategic nature of the ties between the Dominican Republic and the United States, emphasizing the importance of strengthening stable cooperation in trade, institutional matters, and the development of technical capacities that benefit both nations.
Bilateral trade reaches record figures
The Minister Ito Bisonó highlighted that trade exchange between both nations continues its upward trend. Between January and October 2025, bilateral trade exceeded US$15.9 billion, registering a year-on-year growth of 3 percent, driven mainly by the dynamism of Dominican exports.
Local exports to the United States surpassed US$6 billion, also with a 3 percent increase. More than 89 percent of these exports come from the free zone regime in strategic sectors such as medical devices, electrical appliances, cigars, jewelry, and advanced manufacturing, consolidating the country’s competitive position in specialized markets.
“These results confirm the strength of our economic relationship and the confidence of the US market in Dominican production,” expressed Ito Bisonó, who also thanked Ambassador Campos for choosing the MICM to initiate her official diplomatic meetings.
Leadership in foreign direct investment
The head of the MICM highlighted the country’s position as a preferred destination for foreign direct investment. In 2024, a historical record of US$4.523 billion in investment was recorded, and projections for 2025 indicate that this figure will be significantly surpassed. The Dominican Republic captured 30 percent of all investment directed to the Caribbean, consolidating itself as one of the most competitive markets in the region.
This position is sustained by key factors: proven macroeconomic stability, a favorable business climate, and legal certainty that attracts global investors looking for reliable opportunities in Latin America.
Strategic cooperation with US agencies
The MICM presented to Ambassador Campos the progress of cooperation with key US institutions, including the Department of Justice, Customs and Border Protection, the DEA, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative. These programs cover trade traceability, technical exchange, and regulatory coordination, strengthening economic security and transparency in bilateral trade flows.
Combating illicit trade and global recognitions
The ambassador also received a detailed report on the Dominican Republic’s efforts against illicit trade. The country has been recognized for its progress in the fight against counterfeiting, smuggling, and piracy, with more than 160 million units of illicit goods seized and incinerated in recent years.
Currently, the Dominican Republic ranks 50th out of 158 economies in the 2025 Illicit Trade Index, placing above the global average and being one of the least vulnerable states to illicit trade practices. This performance reflects substantial improvements in transparency and market controls implemented by competent authorities.
Additionally, the country ranks second in Latin America according to the 2025 Intellectual Property Index of the US Chamber of Commerce, reaffirming the Dominican Republic as a reliable and strategic partner in the region for trade cooperation and the protection of intellectual rights.
Participating delegations
The MICM commission was headed by Ito Bisonó, accompanied by the Vice Minister of Internal Commerce Ramón Pérez Fermín and directors Ilena Rosario and Vladimir Hernández. On behalf of the US Embassy, officials from the Commerce Department of the diplomatic mission participated.
