Santiago.–President Luis Abinader received this Wednesday a recognition from the Association of Wholesalers in Provisions of Santiago (Amaprosan), together with the main associations of merchants and wholesalers of the Cibao and Santo Domingo region, for assuming as a priority of his management the comprehensive transformation of the Yaque Hospedaje, a work considered a historical debt to the city of Santiago.

The distinction was awarded during the inauguration of the thirty-fifth edition of Expo Amaprosan 2026, in recognition of the president's determination to promote the recovery of one of the main supply centers in the Northern region, an initiative that will contribute to strengthening commercial activity and improving the economic, social, health, urban and environmental conditions of the province.

The organizations recalled that, during Expo Amaprosan 2025, President Abinadera accepted the request of the sector and publicly assumed the commitment to promote the transformation of Hospedaje Yaque, making available the necessary resources to materialize the project.

A year after that commitment, the commercial sector appreciated that the initiative is moving towards its execution, highlighting that the word pledged by the president is beginning to be translated into concrete actions.

The recognition was signed by the Association of Wholesalers in Supplies of Santiago (Amaprosan), the Association of Retailers of Santiago, the National Council of Trade in Supplies, the wholesale associations of La Vega, Moca, Constanza and Santo Domingo, the Association of Merchants of Duarte Province, the Association of Merchants and Industrialists of Santiago (ACIS) and the Representative Commission of Hospedaje Yaque.

They pointed out that the transformation of Hospedaje Yaque will strengthen the organization of commerce, promote a safer and more orderly environment, dignify the space where thousands of merchants have worked for generations and will have a positive impact on the economic, social, health, urban and environmental development of Santiago.

In thanking the recognition received, President Abinader assured that this represents an even greater commitment to Amaprosan, to Santiago and to the entire Cibao region. Regarding Hospedaje Yaque, the president recalled that since he was young he heard that it was a market that did not operate in the best conditions, despite being an important meeting point between producers and merchants, where logistics and hygiene problems persisted.

He expressed his hope that, with the project promoted by the Government together with the Santiago City Council, the Lodging will become an example of commerce and benefit the thousands of families that depend on this activity.

In his speech, President Abinader expressed that, in his duties, he has always listened to all sectors and that the decisions he makes seek the national interest, although they may have positive consequences for some and negative consequences for others.

Likewise, he reported that the Government is developing, together with the City Council, other works aimed at improving the quality of life of the population. He also announced that work is already underway on the design of a solution to strengthen the supply of drinking water in Santiago, by optimizing the Cibao Central Aqueduct system and the construction of a new aqueduct in the northern area, with the purpose of responding to the demands generated by the growth of the city.

He stated that the economic growth and real estate development experienced by Santiago and other cities in the country generate new challenges for infrastructure and commerce. He argued that small and medium-sized merchants cannot face the processes of adaptation to new times alone, which is why they require the support of the Government to move forward without economic growth ending up affecting them.

The head of state assured that the country's economic and social indicators continue to show positive results and maintained that the greatest strength of the Dominican Republic lies in the coordination between the Government, the business sector, commerce and the different social sectors, considering that this alliance has guaranteed social peace and the development achieved by the country.

Finally, he reiterated that he will continue listening to Santiago and the entire national territory to follow up on priorities that contribute to development and improve the quality of life of the population.

They highlight compliance with the pledged word

The entities expressed that this intervention demonstrates President Abinader's willingness to listen to the needs of the different productive sectors and promote solutions that positively impact the lives of merchants, workers, families and citizens.

They also indicated that Hospedaje Yaque constitutes a point of reference for the economy of Santiago and the entire Northern region, so its transformation represents progress, organization, security, economic development, environmental protection and better conditions for those who carry out their commercial activities there.

Values works promoted by the Government together with municipal authorities in Santiago

Meanwhile, the president of Amaprosan, Hilsa López Olivares, valued the works that the Government is promoting together with the municipal authorities in Santiago, especially the start of the Mercado Hospedaje Yaque project and the comprehensive transformation of the New York Chiquito environment.

The business leader stated that both interventions are long-awaited projects that will forever change the reality of hundreds of families and workers, while returning order, security, economic development, environmental protection and dignity to those areas of the city.

Likewise, he explained that Amaprosan has actively participated in the dialogue tables and in the preparation of proposals to make these projects a reality, and assured that the institution will continue as an ally and responsible overseer throughout the entire process.

For his part, Julio César Pérez Mata, president of the Expo Amaprosan 2026 Organizing Committee, pointed out that the fair has established itself as a multi-sector platform that connects industries, merchants, entrepreneurs and the population. In this regard, he explained that the event seeks to serve as a link between industries and consumers, create spaces of opportunity for new entrepreneurs and offer artistic, cultural and recreational activities in a safe environment.

Likewise, the mayor of Santiago, Ulises Rodríguez, thanked President Abinader for accompanying the inauguration of the Amaprosan Expo, noting that, despite his intense work schedule, he made a space to support organized commerce in Santiago. He stated that this gesture has enormous meaning for the city and that its presence sends a clear message of support to the commercial and business sector.

In addition, he expressed that Santiago's merchants value that the Government continues to address their needs and support initiatives that strengthen production, investment and the economic development of the country. He stated that Santiago recognizes the support received during President Abinader's administration and is certain that great projects are still coming to continue promoting the development of the province.

Commerce, Industry and Society: Pillars of Development

Expo Amaprosan 2026 was inaugurated under the motto "Commerce, industry and society: Pillars of development" and dedicated to the Bocel Group, in recognition of its business career, capacity for innovation and contributions to national production.

During the five days of Expo Amaprosan, business, commercial, recreational and cultural activities will be held, as well as talks, discussions, preventive health services and an ecological pavilion coordinated with the Cibao Ecological Society.

Present at the event were the Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza; of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs, Eduardo Sanz Lovatón; the Minister of Public Works, Eduardo Estrella; the governor of Santiago, Rosa Santos; the municipal mayor, Ulises Rodríguez; Senator Daniel Rivera; the director of Proindustria, Rafael Cruz Rodríguez; the representative of the National Council of Commerce, Olga Payero; and the businessman from the North region, Sandy Filpo. The Bocel Group, the company to which this edition of the fair was dedicated, was attended by Arquímedes Cabrera, María Ana Margarita Vidal, executive president, and Rafael Cabrera, CEO of the organization.