Latin America-Day for the first time in Latin America
– May 19, 2026 | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
First edition of the Latin America Day in Latin America
Facts
- Six organizers of the German Week in the Dominican Republic
- 14 sponsors
- More than 140 guests
- One week of programming featuring three receptions, meetings with the Vice President, ministers, company visits, and numerous B2B meetings
As part of the one-day conference held on May 19, 2026, the focus was not only on the Dominican Republic, but on the entire Latin American and Caribbean region. Institutions such as the IFC, CARICOM, and DEG emphasized the importance of supporting regional SMEs, the potential of the young and diverse population, and the growing search by so-called “middle-income states” for new international partnerships. At the same time, it became clear that the region continues to face major challenges for which German technology and expertise can provide concrete solutions, with the shared objective of building long-term, stable, and sustainable partnerships. In this context, the Caribbean states presented themselves as resilient, innovative, and creative partners.
The various panels highlighted both the current framework conditions and possible solutions to key economic and social challenges. During the subsequent spotlight sessions, in addition to AWE — which emphasized the importance of inclusive and sustainable economic cooperation for socio-ecological transformation — representatives from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America also shared their perspectives.
A particular highlight was the exclusive ministerial roundtable at the conclusion of the conference. Yayo Sanz Lovatón, Minister of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs of the Dominican Republic (MICM), Sigmund Freund Mena, Minister of Public Administration, and Enrique Zamora, CEO of Grupo LAFISE, emphasized the current opportunities for the region amid the economically and politically volatile global environment.
However, the significance of this event did not lie solely in the high-level panels and discussions between companies and institutions. Above all, the German Week conveyed to the participating representatives of German companies and institutions a clear impression of how open, serious, and future-oriented German-Dominican cooperation is perceived by the Dominican government and business community. In numerous conversations, the desire to deepen economic relations and expand joint projects was clearly articulated.
The main areas of focus included energy, infrastructure, transport and logistics, water management, and healthcare. The importance of vocational education and training as a foundation for sustainable economic development was also repeatedly emphasized.
The meetings with the Vice President, deputy ministers, ministers, and business representatives — organized by the German Embassy in Santo Domingo, the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Berlin, the Cámara de Comercio Domínico-Alemana (CCDA), and ProDominicana — demonstrated the strong interest in greater German engagement in the region. The already advanced discussions involving several companies suggest that this event has provided important momentum for future cooperation and could mark the beginning of even stronger interest from German business and political stakeholders in the region.
LAV sincerely thanks all partners — especially the German Embassy in Santo Domingo, the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Berlin, the Cámara de Comercio Domínico-Alemana (CCDA), and ProDominicana — for the exceptionally successful cooperation. This first Latin America Day held in the region itself took place at a decisive moment, both for Latin America and the Caribbean and for the German economy. Our shared goal remains to further deepen relations with the region, expand exchange, and strengthen long-term cooperation in an increasingly collaborative spirit.
The joint event was a great success, and we are already looking forward to the next edition in 2028.
