Hospitality Investment: Lopesan Hotel Group opened three new Punta Cana resorts—Caoba Lagoon, Serenity Bay and Splash Cove—adding 1,000+ rooms and a $350m+ investment, with a new convention center and a “Boulevard” entertainment promenade. Agriculture Modernization: TNR and Intabaco signed an agreement to modernize Dominican tobacco farming via pressurized irrigation, training, demonstration plots and support to boost yields and export competitiveness. Cigar Industry Regulation: The Dominican Republic created a Regulatory Council for the “Dominican Cigar” geographical indication to protect authenticity and quality across cultivation, manufacturing and packaging, with enforcement of NORDOM standards. Finance & Sustainability: Banco Popular will manufacture gnial credit/debit cards using recovered coastal plastic with Parley for the Oceans, linking card activity to ocean conservation funding. Energy & Courts: A Santo Domingo court sentenced a businessman to two years (suspended) and ordered RD$47.7m+ in restitution for electricity fraud involving an illegal direct connection. Housing Costs: Lawyers and residents warn that rent increases in the National District are driven by demand and construction costs, with tenants largely protected by contract terms since there’s no rent cap law. Job Market: PUCMM’s “Invest in Yourself” 2026 job fair returns July 10 with 30+ companies across finance, manufacturing, energy, logistics and more, targeting 3,000+ attendees. Tourism Awards & Events: Dominican resorts earned multiple Travvy Award nominations, while Cabarete Classic prepares as a key water-sports prelude to the Santo Domingo 2026 Games.