The foreign ministers of Canada and the Dominican Republic laid out a broader trade and security agenda in Ottawa on Oct. 19, highlighting restored access for Canadian beef and a planned affordable housing project.
Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand met Dominican Republic Minister of Foreign Affairs Victor Bisonó. It was the first visit to Canada by a Dominican foreign minister in over 20 years, the governments said in a joint statement.
The housing project is supported through the International Finance Corporation’s GROW Initiative, which seeks to expand women’s leadership and economic participation. Of Canada’s C$100 million contribution to the initiative, US$5.5 million, approximately C$7.8 million, is for the Dominican project. The ministers welcomed plans to put the project into effect.
The ministers also welcomed the restoration of Dominican market access for Canadian beef exports. Their discussions covered potential cooperation in mining and critical minerals, energy, clean technology, agriculture, aerospace, artificial intelligence and transportation. They considered ways to facilitate travel, improve connectivity and encourage tourism and business exchanges.
Anand described the Dominican Republic as Canada’s largest trading partner in the Caribbean. The ministers said predictable and transparent conditions would support economic growth and reaffirmed their commitment to trade governed by agreed rules.
On security, the ministers discussed backing Haitian-led efforts to improve security and democratic governance while pursuing lasting stability in Haiti and nearby areas. They also addressed organized crime across borders and illicit trafficking. The governments committed to strengthening regional security cooperation, including by concluding an aviation security arrangement.
Bisonó pointed to 72 years of diplomatic ties and said he would welcome Anand to the Dominican Republic. The ministers committed to regular high-level talks as they pursue the areas of cooperation set out in the statement.
