Telecom & Competition: Indotel awarded radio spectrum blocks to Viettel and Claro Dominicana, setting up Viettel as a new telecom player with a 20-year concession (240 MHz total) and Claro getting 20 MHz for the remaining 15 years, aiming to boost service quality, competition, and prices. Trade & Customs: Customs chief Nelson Arroyo said Dominican foreign trade hit US$28.196B in Jan–Jul, up 9.4%, with imports at US$18.919B (+8%) and exports at US$9.277B (+12.5%), alongside a push to modernize controls with AI. Protected Areas Titling: President Abinader delivered the first six state property titles for land inside Loma Novillero and Montaña La Humeadora national parks (12.35M sq m), starting a national process to formalize protected areas and curb illegal occupation. Tourism & Maritime Policy: Senators advanced a bill to incentivize nautical maritime tourism, arguing the DR is missing out on “billions” due to lack of legislation for private vessels. Forced Labor Scrutiny: A U.S. watchdog renewed pressure on CBP after forced-labor concerns in Dominican sugarcane fields resurfaced, with a senator asking why a prior import ban was lifted. Education & Skills: Efekta Education passed 5M active users across school systems and teacher training, including deployments in the Dominican Republic. Ports & Cruise Development: Apollo Maritime Services named José Negron to lead ports and destinations development, with experience including cruise destination work in the Dominican Republic. Construction Sector: Copymecon backed changes at MIVHED but urged stronger participation for MSMEs in construction projects. Media & Streaming Expansion: Prime Video announced a $2B-plus Latin America investment plan (2027–2030), including growth of local originals and sports, with the Dominican Republic listed among new territories for Prime services.