July in Santo Domingo became the epicenter of investment activity in the Western Hemisphere for three days. The Americas Investment Forum (AIF) 2026, organized by ProDominicana in partnership with the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), brought together over 2,000 participants from 52 countries, including representatives from 26 specialized agencies, government officials, investors, and members of multilateral organizations and the private sector. The event was opened by President Luis Abinader, with a keynote address delivered by Harvard Professor Ricardo Hausmann, who emphasized the role of innovation and competitiveness as drivers of development.
The second day of the forum was highlighted by an address from Vice President Raquel Peña, who drew a clear line between attracted investments and real economic growth. The main outcome of the forum was investment intentions totaling approximately $4.151 billion for the Americas region, with 90% of this amount directed toward projects in the Dominican Republic. This served as a strong confirmation of international investor confidence and the strengthening of the country’s position as one of the leading recipients of productive capital.
These results are no coincidence – they follow logically from overall economic indicators: by the end of 2025, the country achieved a historical record in foreign direct investment of $5.032 billion, and the first quarter of 2026 added another $1.671 billion, which is 16% higher than the same period last year. As part of the forum, Project Pitch sessions were held, presenting a portfolio of six Dominican investment projects worth a total of $985.2 million, while business rounds generated opportunities and intentions exceeding $3 billion in strategic sectors – energy, tourism, infrastructure, construction, logistics, manufacturing, free trade zones, and technology.
Major news included plans by The Palace Company, led by CEO Gibran Chapur, to construct more than 3,000 new hotel rooms, an announcement by AES Dominicana regarding the largest energy storage project in the Caribbean, the expansion of the Nigua Free Zone, and new capital investments by Gravita Dominicana. These initiatives will contribute to creating quality jobs, diversifying production, and strengthening national value chains.
Deserving special attention is the fact that women played a key role in this investment breakthrough. Executive Director of ProDominicana Biviana Riveiro Disla, who also serves as Vice President of WAIPA, was a central figure at the forum, embodying the systematic approach that turned the country into one of the region’s leaders in capital attraction. She emphasized that the forum’s outcomes reflect the trust the international community has in the Dominican Republic and stressed that this success was made possible through effective public policies aimed at promoting, facilitating, and retaining investments.
Speaking on the second day of the forum, the country’s Vice President, Raquel Peña, drew a clear distinction between incoming investment and real improvements in the lives of Dominicans, stressing that capital works for the people, not the other way around. Her contribution to the development of female entrepreneurship is substantial – under her patronage, the “Women in Export” initiative is being implemented, which in four years has helped 1,469 women-led companies enter over 100 international markets.
The third woman whose influence on shaping the investment climate is difficult to overestimate is María Eugenia del Castillo – Special Advisor to Vice President Raquel Peña, a professional with a brilliant international track record. She served as the Chief Negotiator for the Dominican Republic during the creation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, represented the country in the Group of 77, and led the Latin American block at climate conferences. Her recognition as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum confirmed that the Dominican Republic fosters world-class female leaders.
It is precisely this combination of political will, administrative capacity, and international expertise that created the conditions for the investment breakthrough demonstrated by AIF 2026. An important element of the forum was the presentation of a new book by London-based international post-investment support expert Carolina Arriagada Peters, titled “Investment Advocacy: How Influence and Persuasion Shape the Economy. Cases from Around the World”. The author emphasizes that modern investment policy is not only about attracting new capital, but also about caring for those already operating in the country, as reinvestments, loyalty, and long-term partnerships become the new standard of success.
During the final session of the forum, more than 50 experts from international organizations, global companies, and investment promotion agencies discussed key future trends – nearshoring, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, sustainable finance, energy transition, and global supply chains. They agreed that human capital, innovation, and close cooperation between the public and private sectors will be the decisive drivers of competitiveness in the coming years.
The closing ceremony was marked by the Americas Investment Forum 2026 Declaration, read by WAIPA President Ismail Ersahin and Executive Director Ismail Ersahin, who reaffirmed a shared commitment to advancing an international strategy based on cooperation, sustainable growth, and productive transformations for the Americas and the Caribbean. The Americas Investment Forum 2026 leaves behind a tangible legacy – new partnerships, concrete growth projects, investment intentions, and political consensus. The Dominican Republic has once again proven that it is a reliable partner and a strategic hub for sustainable economic development, with female leadership, strategic thinking, and a focus on sustainability playing a leading role in this future.
Prepared with the support of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, specially for Business Women. Representative of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Dominican Republic, Stella Kurhaieva.
Photo: from the open source