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Central American Business Leaders Revive Regional Agenda in Santo Domingo
Business organizations from Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic have agreed to relaunch a shared regional agenda aimed at strengthening economic integration, attracting investment, and coordinating their response to shifting global trade and geopolitical conditions.
SANTO DOMINGO — Business associations representing Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic have agreed to resume a coordinated regional agenda designed to strengthen economic cooperation and improve the region’s competitiveness as global trade patterns continue to evolve.
The agreement was reached during the Ordinary Assembly of Presidents of the Federation of Private Entities of Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic (Fedepricap), held in Santo Domingo under the temporary leadership of the National Business Council (CONEP), the Dominican Republic’s leading private-sector organization.
Focus on Trade, Investment and Relations With the United States
According to participants, the renewed agenda will prioritize closer monitoring of the region’s economic relationship with the United States while advancing initiatives to promote regional economic integration, facilitate investment, and improve cooperation among private-sector organizations.
Celso Juan Marranzini, president of CONEP, said the region faces a rapidly changing international environment shaped by shifts in global commerce, geopolitical tensions, and technological advances. He argued that stronger coordination among business organizations is essential to exchange experiences, develop common positions, and address shared economic challenges.
Innovation and Talent Development Among Priorities
A CONEP statement said business leaders also identified several long-term priorities, including workforce development, the adoption of artificial intelligence, legal certainty for investors, institutional strengthening, and the defense of democracy and free enterprise.
The discussions also highlighted opportunities created by nearshoring and digital transformation, trends that many countries in the region see as potential drivers of new investment and supply chain diversification.
Regional Business Cooperation
Marranzini said Fedepricap, which represents hundreds of thousands of companies and millions of jobs across the region, has a responsibility not only to advocate for the private sector but also to contribute to building a more integrated, competitive, and democratic Central America and Dominican Republic.
The meeting brought together representatives from the principal business organizations of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, reflecting a renewed effort by the region’s private sector to coordinate on issues with growing economic and strategic importance.
