WILLEMSTAD, SANTO DOMINGO - In the latest effort to strengthen regional ties, Curaçao’s Minister of Economic Development, Drs. Roderick Middelhof, recently met with Dominican Republic Vice‑Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugo Francisco Rivera. The discussions centered on bolstering bilateral cooperation and identifying new initiatives to spur economic growth in both countries. According to a statement from the Dominican Foreign Ministry, the conversation touched on “key topics of bilateral cooperation and joint initiatives with the potential to boost the economic development of both countries,” reinforcing the Dominican Republic’s commitment to proactive economic diplomacy and the construction of strategic alliances in the Caribbean.
Curaçao’s Ministry of Economic Development said the meeting gave Minister Middelhof an opportunity to deliver a letter reaffirming Curaçao’s intention to restart negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement. The agreement, envisioned in a 2017 memorandum of understanding, aims to reduce barriers to trade and improve market access between Curaçao and the Dominican Republic. During the talks, the two sides also agreed to explore collaboration on food‑security policies, broader access to affordable food, improvements in regional connectivity and discussions on removing visa requirements to facilitate travel.
Officials in Willemstad see the meeting as a step towards diversifying Curaçao’s economy and creating new opportunities for investment. Dominican authorities, for their part, described the dialogue as evidence of a shared commitment to building stronger regional partnerships. Both governments plan to follow up in coming months with working groups that will focus on the practical aspects of a trade agreement and joint initiatives in agriculture, transport and tourism.
Analysts note that enhanced cooperation between Curaçao and the Dominican Republic could have ripple effects across the Caribbean. By working together on issues such as food security and visa facilitation, the two countries hope to set a precedent for deeper economic integration in the region.
