The Dominican Republic is located in the Greater Antilles archipelago. It is bordered on the north by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Caribbean Sea, on the east by the Mona Passage, and on the west by Haiti.
It is divided into 31 provinces, each headed by a presidentially appointed governor. The capital (National District) falls outside the provincial regime.
The system of government is democratic, representative and presidential, as established in the Constitution of the Republic.
Its principal exports (according to data from 2013) are ferronickel, cacao, raw sugar, bananas, molasses, coffee beans, tobacco and processed coffee. Spain is one of its main customers and suppliers.
Its main imports include: oil and oil products; nuclear reactors, boilers and mechanical equipment; machinery, appliances and electrical equipment; automobiles, tractors and motorcycles; iron and steel and articles of iron and steel; plastic materials and products; pharmaceutical products; and cereals.
From a trade and investment perspective, the Dominican Republic has been one of the main destinations for Spanish companies and investors. Some 25% of Spanish investment goes to the tourism sector (Spanish chains own 60% of all high-end hotel rooms), although Spanish companies also have interests in other sectors, such as real estate, finance and electricity.
Spain has also concluded a tax treaty with the Dominican Republic for the avoidance of double taxation, which has already been ratified and which entered into force on 25 July 2014.
In this session, H.E. Mr Jaime Lacadena Higuera, Ambassador of Spain in Santo Domingo, will offer an overview of the current economic, political and social situation in the country and of its trade and diplomatic relations with Spain.
Meeting with the Ambassador
Date: 24 March 2015
Aimed at: Journalists and business leaders (by express invitation of CEI International Affairs)
Time: from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Place: Av. Vallvidrera, 25, Barcelona
Contact: Ms Àngels Vara
Price: 75 euros (for the lunch)
Kindly confirm your participation by phone at 93 205 45 16 or email at avara-cei@ub.edu.