We All Have a Role to Play in Promoting the Competitiveness of Dominican Products in the U.S.

GFDD hosted a networking lunch for the American Chamber of Commerce in the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR) members  and participants in the 2017 edition of Semana Dominicana (Dominican Week) in the United States, as well as representatives of the National Supermarket Association (NSA) on Friday May 12th. The event took place at GFDD’s New York Office and was moderated by Yamile Eusebio, Acting Executive Co-Director of the
Foundation, who gave the welcoming remarks.

Participants included David Fernández, President of AMCHAMDR; William Malamud, Executive Director of AMCHAMDR; Roberto Herrera, President, Organizing Committee of Dominican Week in the US; Rudy Fuertes, President of the National Supermarket Association (NSA); Samuel Collado and Nelson Eusebio, members of the Board of Directors of NSA; Julio Coen, representative of CEi-RD in the United
States; Gustavo Tavares, Maximo Vidal, Patricia De Moya, Ailin Lockward, Iban Campos, and other representatives and members of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR).

“Dominicans have a great niche to sell their products in the hundreds of supermarkets in the United States owned by Dominicans. We need to take advantage of that and surpass all the
obstacles and challenges that limit the competitiveness of Dominican products”, said NSA President Rudy Fuertes. Mr. Fuertes also congratulated AMCHAMDR on promoting bilateral investments and networking opportunities like the ones during Dominican Week. The NSA President also emphasized the interest of his organization in working together with GFDD, AMCHAMDR, CEi-RD, and the United States authorities on health issues to promote better training and conditions for
Dominican agribusinesses.

Mr. David Fernández, President of AMCHAMDR, suggested identifying best practices and success stories to learn from the US and educate the local producers in the Dominican Republic. He also noted that AMCHAMDR’s Committee on Trade Facilitation will be responsible for following up with NSA to continue expanding on the improvements made to date.

During the activity, Yamile Eusebio gave a copy of GFDD’s
recent publication, “All Things Dominican | Lo Dominicano”, to Mr. David Fernández, President of AMCHAMDR.

This year Semana Dominicana (Dominican Week in the US), celebrating its 25th anniversary, was held from May 8-12, 2017. A delegation of Dominican entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, members of professional and trade associations, academics, and authorities, traveled to the U.S. to participate in meetings and events celebrated in Washington, DC
and New York City, with the main intent to share opinions, ideas, projects, and programs, leading towards sustainable development and improved bilateral relations.

GFDD has supported this annual initiative of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR) throughout the years.

More information about Semana Dominicana: http://semana.do/