Gov. McKee, RI Commerce Secretary Tanner To Lead Trade Mission To Dominican Republic

RHODE ISLAND — Gov. Dan McKee and Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Liz Tanner will lead a delegation of state businesses and associations to the Dominican Republic on an economic development trade mission, state officials said Tuesday.

As part of the mission, McKee and Tanner will hold a series of economic development meetings focused on travel, tourism and hospitality, port development, and clean energy. The mission will take place from Aug. 21 to 23, and is McKee's first economic development and policy mission since becoming Governor.

"Rhode Island and the Dominican Republic share a close cultural affinity and a longstanding relationship," McKee said. "Given the direct flights out of Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport to the Dominican Republic, this is a great opportunity to lead this mission, foster business opportunities and develop relationships that will showcase our great companies and state to this audience."

State officials said the trade mission to the Dominican Republic has a two-pronged approach: to discuss business development opportunities in Rhode Island and also to discuss tourism opportunities with direct flights to Rhode Island from Santiago de los Caballeros Cibao International Airport in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

In 2022, the Dominican Republic was Rhode Island’s third-largest partner for exports, with over $315 million of goods flowing from the state to the Caribbean nation, state officials said.

"At Rhode Island Commerce, we are committed to ensuring businesses have the opportunities they need to help them grow and succeed," Tanner said. "We know that establishing partnerships like the one we are forging with the Dominican Republic, will benefit not just our business community but will also enhance the momentum of Rhode Island’s economy."

Miscellaneous manufactured commodities were the top export from Rhode Island to the Dominican Republic, making up 92.9 percent of these goods. Additionally, Rhode Island imported $22.8 million worth of goods from the Dominican Republic. In terms of imports to the Dominican Republic, Rhode Island ranked 10th among all states for value of goods in 2021, according to state officials.

Rhode Island businesses and organizations will be joining Governor McKee on the trade mission and will be meeting with buyers and distributors to explore potential opportunities for growth in the Dominican Republic. Those businesses include:

• Biointraface
• EGN Consulting
• Mainelli Tool & Die Inc.
• Kassumay, LLC
• North East Knitting
• Verity Design.

The mission is being supported by the John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University in Smithfield, the state district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation. Edinaldo Tebaldi, a member of the delegation and director of the Chafee Center, said he is enthusiastic about this collaborative effort, emphasizing its role in fostering economic growth and enduring partnerships between Rhode Island and the Dominican Republic.

"The Chafee Center takes pride in empowering Rhode Island businesses to expand their global footprint," Tebaldi said.

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