Vice President Raquel Peña confirmed that the Dominican Republic will take part in the 30th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled for November 4–5, 2026, in Madrid. The announcement came during a meeting with Narciso Casado, Director of Relations with Ibero-America at the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) and Permanent Secretary of the Ibero-American Business Council (CEIB).
The meeting was part of Peña’s official visit to Spain, which is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding economic cooperation between the two countries. Discussions also explored the possible implementation of the 4T Model in the Dominican Republic as a pilot initiative to improve the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Focus on Business Competitiveness
According to the Office of the Vice Presidency, the proposed initiative would support a sector that plays a significant role in employment generation and economic growth. The 4T Model is built around four pillars—Talent, Territory, Transformation, and Traction—and promotes collaboration between public institutions and private businesses to strengthen entrepreneurial development and improve market access.
If implemented, the program could provide additional tools to help Dominican MSMEs increase productivity and expand business opportunities in domestic and international markets.
Cultural Agenda in Spain
During her visit, Peña also toured the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), one of the leading institutions responsible for preserving and promoting the Spanish language. She met with Juan Luis Cebrián, a member of the academy and founder of the Spanish newspaper El País.
Accompanied by Dominican Ambassador Tony Raful and Minister of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs Víctor “Ito” Bisonó, the vice president visited the academy’s historic library, underscoring the longstanding cultural and linguistic ties between the Dominican Republic and the broader Spanish-speaking community.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
The official agenda reflects the Dominican government’s efforts to deepen cooperation with Spain through political dialogue, economic initiatives, and cultural exchange. The country’s participation in the upcoming Ibero-American Summit will provide another opportunity for regional leaders to discuss shared priorities and strengthen collaboration across the Ibero-American community.