In the dynamic landscape of international trade, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stands out as a robust strategic partner aimed at enhancing trade corridors in Latin America. This was underscored during the opening day of the 2026 Global Government Summit in Dubai, where discussions on economic collaboration highlighted the UAE’s significant role in strengthening trade links with countries in this vibrant region.
Strategic Economic Dialogues
During a notable panel titled “Are We Witnessing a New Global Economic Model?”, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic and Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, CEO of DP World, delved into the prospects of joint investment initiatives. The session centered on transforming the Dominican Republic into a pivotal logistics hub in the Caribbean while also exploring the economic cooperation between the UAE and the Dominican Republic through DP World’s strategic investments.
Investment Potential in the Dominican Republic
President Abinader highlighted the crucial role of Emirati investments in bolstering the country’s infrastructure, citing the partnership with DP World as a successful model of international collaboration that transcends geographic boundaries. He reaffirmed the Dominican Republic’s commitment to modernizing its legal frameworks to facilitate foreign investments, particularly in logistics and free zones.
With a favorable strategic location and promising tourism resources, the Dominican Republic is establishing numerous tourism and industrial free zones. Abinader noted that the partnership with DP World involves a range of initiatives, including a significant project near Punta Cana, the largest private airport in the region. Furthermore, the Dominican Republic boasts three ports and has two additional ports under construction, along with a free zone dedicated to aircraft maintenance, positioning it as the largest logistics center in the Caribbean.
Enhancing Trade Corridors
“The UAE is a strong partner for us, contributing to the enhancement of trade corridors in Latin America, with the Dominican Republic ranking as the seventh largest economy in the region,” Abinader stated, attributing this to flexible economic policies, investment laws, and the integration of digital innovation in vital sectors such as tourism and logistics.
In response, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem shared insights into DP World’s expansion plans in the Dominican Republic, focusing on logistic hubs within the country. Initial assessments revealed valuable spaces between the port and the airport, prompting them to exploit this as a connection point between the north and Latin America. “We invested over $700 million, with additional investments of similar magnitude in the Dominican Republic through a model economic partnership,” he indicated, emphasizing their goal of increasing handling capacity to 3 million containers and integrating smart technological solutions to facilitate trade flows between the Americas and beyond.
Opportunities for Global Enterprises
Bin Sulayem commended the strategic and tourist appeal of Punta Cana, recognized as the tourist capital of the Caribbean. He praised the Dominican government’s swift actions in facilitating business operations for investors and entrepreneurs to develop integrated industrial and logistics complexes that attract global companies to establish regional distribution centers. He reinforced the idea that successful governments create jobs, while unsuccessful ones foster poverty, underscoring the importance of cross-border economic partnerships between the UAE and the Dominican Republic that create opportunities and mutual benefits.