Puerto Rico completes successful trade mission to Dominican Republic
DDEC reports $3 million in projected sales from 22 participating companies.
Puerto Rico’s Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC, in Spanish) recently led a trade mission to the Dominican Republic aimed at expanding economic and commercial ties between the neighboring islands.
DDEC Secretary Sebastián Negrón-Reichard, accompanied by more than 20 small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners, participated in the effort organized by PromoExport with support from the DDEC’s Puerto Rico Trade Office in the Dominican Republic.
“We brought 22 Puerto Rican companies to meet with potential clients to explore opportunities for exporting their products and services,” Negrón-Reichard told News is my Business. “We also focused on forming strategic alliances and conducting market research.”
The participating businesses represented industries including manufacturing, technical services, consulting, technology, food and beverages, and transportation.
Negrón-Reichard said the $60,000 investment used to fund the mission — covered by state and federal funds — was a key step in helping Puerto Rican entrepreneurs access new markets. He stressed the importance of international exports as a growth strategy, given the island’s geographic limitations.
“I’ve asked my team to develop a plan to begin hosting monthly trade missions starting next year,” he added.
When asked by News is my Business whether future missions would target countries with existing U.S. trade agreements, especially in light of potential new tariffs, Negrón-Reichard confirmed that is part of the DDEC’s strategy. He said the agency is also working to help Puerto Rican companies replace imports from high-tariff countries with locally produced alternatives for the U.S. market.
“The results of this mission were overwhelmingly positive,” he said. “We opened new channels for collaboration, strengthened ties, and laid the groundwork for increased trade and investment. We’re grateful for the support of the Dominican government and the warm reception from Dominican business leaders.”
The mission generated more than 200 meetings between Puerto Rican companies and prospective Dominican clients. Some participants have already entered negotiations, and several have secured short-term sales agreements.
Leonyl Ortiz, director of PromoExport and part of the DDEC’s Trade and Export Program, reported projected sales exceeding $3 million over the next 12 months as a direct result of the mission. He noted that four companies extended their efforts beyond Santo Domingo by holding meetings in Puerto Plata, while others engaged in high-level discussions with government officials.
Ella Woger Nieves, CEO of Invest Puerto Rico, also joined the mission. Alongside Negrón-Reichard, she presented investment opportunities in Puerto Rico, highlighting the island’s advantages as a commercial hub for Central, South, and North America, particularly under new federal policies promoting reshoring.
Among the participating companies were Valero Inc., which manufactures and remanufactures shopping carts for supermarkets with a focus on durability and operational efficiency; R’ Brothers LLC, a producer of artisanal sangrias and premium cocktails; and CIS International LLC, a consulting and technical training firm for pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. With more than 14 years of experience, CIS operates from Puerto Rico and has provided services in Latin America and India, including prototype development and contract manufacturing.
