Ministerio de Industria, Comercio y Mipymes de Republica Dominicana
- Founded
- 1966-01-01 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
- Headquarters
- Torre MICM, Avenida 27 de Febrero No. 306, Bella Vista, Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic
The Ministry of Industry, Trade and MSMEs (Ministerio de Industria, Comercio y Mipymes, MICM) is the Dominican Republic’s central government institution responsible for formulating, implementing, and supervising national policies, plans, and projects that drive industrial development, internal and external trade, export promotion, free‑zone regimes, and the micro, small, and medium‑sized enterprise (MSME) sector. It also manages the country’s strategic reserves of petroleum derivatives and other fuels. Established in its current form in 1966 as the Secretary of State of Industry and Trade, the ministry has evolved through several reorganisations, most recently in 2017 when it adopted its present name to strengthen its focus on MSMEs. Its headquarters are located in Santo Domingo’s Torre MICM. As the lead agency for industrial competitiveness and commercial policy, MICM works closely with private‑sector associations, international partners, and other government bodies to foster sustainable economic growth, job creation, and integration of Dominican businesses into global value chains. The minister since January 2026 is Eduardo “Yayo” Sanz Lovatón.
Detailed Review
History and Evolution
The Ministry of Industry, Trade and MSMEs (MICM) traces its origins to the first Dominican Constitution of 1844, which created a Secretary of State of Finance and Trade. Over subsequent decades, the institution underwent numerous name changes and functional splits, eventually being reconstituted on 30 June 1966 as the Secretary of State of Industry and Trade (Law 290‑66). In 2010, following a constitutional reform, it became the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and in 2017, through Law 37‑17, it was renamed the Ministry of Industry, Trade and MSMEs, elevating the MSME agenda to a core strategic priority.
Mandate and Areas of Responsibility
MICM is the rector of public policies across four major areas: Industry – including manufacturing, industrial zones, and competitiveness programmes; Trade – both domestic commerce and international trade facilitation, including export promotion and free‑zone regimes; MSMEs – through support instruments such as the Fondo CONFIE credit fund, the Formalízate programme for formalisation, and the MIPYMES registry providing certification and access to benefits under Law 187‑17; and Fuels – regulation, oversight, and commercialisation of petroleum derivatives and other combustibles.
Digital Services and Key Programmes
The ministry operates a digital service platform, Ventanilla Virtual, which allows businesses to apply for MSME classification, request certified copies, and access other procedures online. Other key services include the issuance of business classification certificates, support for entrepreneurship, and strategic planning for digital economy investment attraction.
Recent Initiatives and Leadership
Recent initiatives under Minister Sanz Lovatón include a partnership with UNDP to launch the “2026‑2036 Foreign Direct Investment Attraction Plan for ICT Companies”, focusing on semiconductors, software development, healthtech, and BPO services; a collaboration with Equifax Dominicana to improve credit inclusion; and a dialogue with gas station associations (Adanegas) over card payment commissions. The ministry also played a role in the OECD’s review of the Dominican Republic’s enabling environment for the semiconductor and microelectronics industries.
Despite its broad mandate, MICM’s precise headcount is not publicly available, nor are named positions below the ministerial level consistently published. The current leadership comprises the minister as the highest executive authority, with no other C‑level officers explicitly identified in the public record for this government entity.
Key Products
Ventanilla Virtual
Online portal for submitting and tracking service requests, including MSME classification, certified copies, and fuel-related procedures.
Fondo CONFIE
Government credit fund providing financing to MSMEs to support growth and formalisation.
Formalízate
Programme that streamlines business formalisation and registration processes.
MIPYMES
Registry and certification system that classifies companies as micro, small, or medium enterprises under Law 187‑17, granting access to benefits.
Copias Certificadas
Service for issuing certified copies of official documents.
Combustibles
Oversight and regulation of the domestic fuel market, including price setting and supply management.
Key Persons
- Eduardo "Yayo" Sanz Lovatón
Minister (Head of Ministry)