Spanish Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 85th Anniversary

The official Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Industry Office in the Dominican Republic celebrated its 85th anniversary with a cocktail party which stressed the important role the Chamber has played over the years in the area of industry development, commerce, transport and tourism over the past 8 decades.

The creation of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce sought to overcome the isolation experienced by the Spanish American collective…

The activity was headed by Diego Bermejo Romero de Terreros, Spanish Ambassdor and honorary president of the Chamber of Commerce; Manuel García Arévalo, President of the Board of Directors; Manuel Hernández, Consul General and Fernando Mier Durante, economic and commerce advisor from the Embassy.

The first steps toward creating the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Industry were taken by Manuel Galán and Pacheco de Padilla in 1924 when they held the posts of business attaché and consul in the Spanish Embassy in the DR. Support and recognition by the Spanish Crown of the official character of the Chamber was decreed on July 12, 1924. The function of the Chamber of Commerce was constituted by Spanish businessmen who were dedicated to production, commerce and connected auxiliary professions.

The diplomatic representative, in an advantageous and visionary manner, convoked a meeting of the main representatives of the Spanish commercial collective residing in Santo Domingo, San Pedro de Macorís, Santiago de los Caballeros, Puerto Plata and Barahona.

On this occasion, a constitutional assembly of the Spanish Chamber took place in the old halls of the Casa de España, located on Padre Billini St. # 12 of the Colonial Zone which also served for several years as the Chamber’s headquarters.

In their efforts to consolidate this nascent corporate and business entity, the Chamber obtained official recognition through Royal Order of Ministry of State, signed in Madrid on July 24, 1926.

This same year the Chamber was incorporated by the Dominican authorities and formalized through the Resolution of the Ministry of Justice and Public Instruction, dated July 28, 1927.

The creation of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce sought to overcome the isolation experienced by the Spanish American collective who lacked a group that brought them together in a formal and dynamic way.

The Chamber’s purpose was also to legitimately defend and promote its interests and to foment the kindred spirit among its members.

In addition to current Chamber President Manuel García Arévalo, the Board of Directors is made up of José Antonio Álvarez Alonso, First Vice President; Francisco de la Cruz Maestro, Second Vice President; Alberto Salazar Ugarte, Secretary; Roberto Huerta Rodríguez, Treasurer; Fernando Casanova, Vice Treasurer and Mario García, past president.