Governor Kathy Hochul and Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader have announced a new agreement aimed at strengthening economic, cultural, and social ties between New York State and the Dominican Republic. The Declaration of Intent (DOI), signed in Santo Domingo, outlines cooperation in areas such as tourism, disaster preparedness, agricultural innovation, and economic development.
“New York State and the Dominican Republic share a deep, enduring bond rooted in community, culture, and opportunity,” Governor Hochul said. “This mission represents our shared commitment to forge a collective future defined by innovation, inclusion and global partnership. From expanding trade opportunities for New York small businesses to exploring groundbreaking drone technologies that can improve and save lives across borders, this collaboration will deliver real results for both of our economies and our people.”
President Abinader stated: “This agreement will allow us to work in all areas to have a more effective and efficient relationship between the Dominican Republic and that great state of New York, where many of our compatriots live who are now doctors, police officers and outstanding professionals.”
As part of the agreement, Empire State Development’s Global NY program will lead an official trade mission to the Dominican Republic. This initiative aims to connect New York-based small and medium-sized enterprises with buyers and business partners in the Caribbean nation. The goal is to expand export opportunities and promote long-term collaboration between companies from both regions.
Additionally, Empire State Development announced a partnership between its innovation partner NUAIR—headquartered in Syracuse—and agencies in the Dominican Republic. The focus will be on using drone technology for disaster response, agriculture, and infrastructure management. NUAIR operates one of the country’s most advanced drone-testing corridors at Griffiss International Airport in the Mohawk Valley.
The DOI also sets up partnerships for sharing best practices related to disaster preparedness planning and emergency management training. Specific efforts include:
– A training mission by New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for emergency personnel in the Dominican Republic.
– Expert training from NUAIR on drone use for disaster response.
– Technical support enabling participation by the Dominican Republic in New York’s surplus equipment auction.
– A multi-year partnership with SUNY and CUNY focusing on research into climate change resilience, infrastructure improvement, meteorology, emergency management, and public administration.
Following a major weather event affecting the Dominican Republic in November 2023, New York officials visited to discuss support for climate resilience efforts. In June 2024, engineers from the Dominican Republic spent a week studying New York’s infrastructure adaptation strategies.
Empire State Development President Hope Knight said: “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, ESD and New York State continue to build and fortify economic and cultural bridges with international partners. The Dominican Republic has long been a key partner… Through programs like Global NY and partnerships with NUAIR, we are expanding opportunities for business growth…”
Division of Homeland Security Commissioner Jackie Bray commented: “New York is home to some of the nation’s strongest emergency management professionals… We are proud to be able to share our knowledge…with our partners in the Dominican Republic – we are all stronger when we work together.”
Other officials highlighted benefits ranging from improved infrastructure resilience (Dr. Minosca Alcantara) to enhanced higher education collaboration (Dr. Guillermo Linares; John B. King Jr.; Félix V. Matos Rodríguez) as well as agricultural innovation (Richard A. Ball).
Global NY’s trade mission will collaborate with the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo. Participating companies will receive tailored export assistance reports as well as pre-arranged business meetings focused on sectors including life sciences, manufacturing, green technology, and consumer goods.
NUAIR’s expanded role includes knowledge exchange sessions on disaster-response technologies—building on existing unmanned aircraft systems testing across Central New York.
Representative Adriano Espaillat called it “a powerful testament to our shared commitment to prosperity… Together we are building a bridge of opportunity that honors our shared history while investing in a stronger…future throughout the Dominican diaspora.”
