Luis Abinader highlights the role of the Dominican Republic as a logistics benchmark

President Luis Abinader spoke this Friday about the Dominican Republic 's role as a democratic , logistical, and sustainable leader in the region, noting that the country is ready to serve as a reliable bridge between Latin America, the Caribbean , and the Middle East.

According to a press release, during the central session of the WGS–LAC Dialogue , the president highlighted that the development achieved by the nation is the result of a solid democracy and institutions that have contributed to maintaining political stability and attracting international investment , key elements to overcome the challenges of the pandemic, global economic crises and geopolitical tensions.

In this regard, the head of state urged strengthening regional cooperation and integration, convinced that Latin America and the Caribbean have the human talent, resources, and creativity necessary to play a more significant role in global decision-making.

He emphasized that democracy , in addition to being a moral value, constitutes an economic asset that supports international confidence in the Dominican Republic and noted that the country is not only recognized for its hospitality and natural beauty, but also for being a space for economic transformation and sustainability .

The president praised the confidence shown by the World Governments Summit and the United Arab Emirates in choosing Punta Cana as the venue for the meeting, and highlighted the role of the Center for Public Policy Analysis and the Puntacana Group as strategic allies.

Abinader stated that this forum represents an opportunity to reflect on the common future and the region's role in the global context , and noted that this strength has been key to overcoming the challenges of the pandemic, international crises, and geopolitical tensions.

He stated that political leadership must be understood as an exercise in listening , dialogue , and the ability to rectify, as opposed to authoritarian models that weaken institutions.

Addressing the economy , the president emphasized that the reconfiguration of supply chains has made the country a strategic player in regional and global trade , thanks to its geographic location in the heart of the Caribbean, which allows for privileged air and sea connections to major markets.

The head of state highlighted the existence of eight international airports , more than 182 daily flights to 170 destinations, and ports recognized for their efficiency, such as the Caucedo Multimodal Airport , operated by DP World .

He considered the company's decision to expand the port terminal and free trade zone park, with an investment of US$760 million, to be a sign of international confidence and emphasized that this investment confirms the Dominican Republic as a benchmark in nearshoring throughout the region.

Sustainability and energy transition

The president explained that no development model is sustainable without a responsible relationship with the environment. In this regard, he reiterated the government's commitment to transforming the energy mix , promoting solar, wind, and energy storage projects .

He stated that the goal is to transform the Dominican Republic into a regional laboratory for energy transition , and noted that the future competitiveness of economies will depend on green models capable of responding to the demands of climate change and a more demanding global market.

The head of state highlighted the preparation of Dominican youth for the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution , highlighting the implementation of the National Semiconductor Strategy and the launch of alliances with international universities such as Purdue and MIT.

He also highlighted programs such as " Technology from Scratch ," which are already training thousands of young people in STEM fields, and considered that these initiatives seek to ensure that the Dominican Republic does not limit itself to technology consumption, but rather actively participates in its production.

Fight against illicit trade

Referring to institutional strengthening , he noted the progress made in the fight against illicit trade and noted that in recent years, more than 135 million units of illegal products have been seized and incinerated in coordination with the private sector. He noted that this effort protects the formal economy , the health of the population, and investor confidence.

In his analysis of the international context, he described the current moment as a " polycrisis ", marked by the interaction of health, economic, social and political crises .

Given this situation, he argued that regional integration is the best tool for building effective responses and will strengthen markets, increase investment in key areas such as education, health, and infrastructure, and expand opportunities for new generations.

He also said that regional cooperation is essential to address transnational phenomena such as migration , drug trafficking, and organized crime .

He praised the fact that the WGS–LAC Dialogue has established itself as a space for innovation and engagement that will drive new investments and cooperation for the benefit of the region.

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