Dominican Week in Belgium and the Netherlands: focus on exports to the European Union

In brief

• During the week of 1 June 2026, the Dominican Republic held the Dominican Week in Belgium and the Netherlands, a strategic platform to strengthen its economic, trade and cultural relations with Europe.
• On the opening day’s agenda: the 5th Dominican Republic – European Union Political Dialogue, a business forum and a cultural evening.
• Panels examined the present and future of Dominican exports to the EU, drawing on experiences in cocoa, banana and tobacco.
• COLEAD —co-prepared the exports panel and moderated it, through its office in the country.
• Among the participants: the European Commission (DG INTPA), the Brussels-Capital Region and the World Customs Organization.

A strategic platform between the Dominican Republic and Europe

During the week of 1 June 2026, the Dominican Republic held its Dominican Week in Belgium and the Netherlands, designed as a strategic platform to consolidate economic, trade and cultural relations with Europe and open up new opportunities for exports, tourism and foreign investment. The opening day brought together authorities, businesses, international organisations and representatives of the European private sector, around the 5th Political Dialogue between the Dominican Republic and the European Union, a business forum and a Dominican cultural evening.

Dominican exports to the EU under discussion

The business forum showcased the country’s investment models and development projects. Panels then examined the present and future of Dominican exports to the European Union: entrepreneurs and experts shared their experiences in sectors such as cocoa, banana and tobacco, highlighting the growth of the Dominican export offer on international markets. The Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union, Joan M. Cedano, stressed the importance of consolidating the country as a reliable destination for investment and a strategic partner in the region.

An active contribution from COLEAD

In connection with the SIA programme — funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and implemented with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic — COLEAD worked closely with the Embassy on the preparation of the panel “Present and future of Dominican exports to the EU: experiences and lessons learned”. This contribution notably included the moderation of the panel by Pablo Lopez-Herrerias, Director of Projects in the Dominican Republic, with the support of COLEAD’s office in the country.

High-level participation

The day also featured the participation of Boris Dilliès, Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region; Olga Baus-Gibert (European Commission, DG INTPA); Mauricio Bogaert, President of BelChamRD; and Ian Saunders, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization.

 Find out more The event in pictures.

This activity is supported by the SIA project (Sanidad e Innovación Agropecuaria), implemented by COLEAD on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic and financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under loan no. BID-4909/OC-DR. This publication has been produced with the financial support of the IDB. The contents are the sole responsibility of COLEAD and in no way reflect the views of the Dominican Ministry of Agriculture or the IDB.