Opening a new business in DR

Start by reading the multiple forums here.  Then ask some folks in the business community where you plan on living/working.

Bob K

Thank you

You are welcome and good luck

Bob K

Hi Bob,

Is it easy, difficult, and/or costly to open a microdistillery in the Punta Cana area?  Do you have any information and/or web links on the regulations and taxes/fees required?  I would start by just selling to local resorts and stores in the DR.

Thanks,

Dean

opening a business here is time consuming, frustrating, costly & the procedure is not logical. A suggestion for you. It is just my opinion, but your photo makes you look a bit arrogant & a touch supercilious. I'm sure that is not your intent. A more friendly visage could stand you in better stead.  Don't take offense, just my thoughts.  Read & study the revalant threads & persue your goals. Good luck & welcome.  I hope you will distill a top notch rum. I love a good quality rum, such as Cruzan Single Barrel, a true sipping rum.

Thanks for the input.

Dean

Sorry I know nothing about that type of business but I do not see it doing well..  Sorry

Bob K

I know something   about it. It will be difficult as it is somewhat of a controlled Industry. Money and politics controls it. It will be a tough go.

Welcome to the forums.

To judge someone based on their profile picture.... Really? Rather arrogant isn't that!

Carefully read my words. I never stated that he was arrogant.  I said that it could possibly be construed as such. Read carefully, whomever assumed the content was negative? I actually was being constructive.  I do agree with Planner on the inherent difficulties of opening   that kind of business.  Bless you all during the holidays.

Of course you checked out where the dr scores on the lists like: ease of doing business......economic freedom, etc.   What numbers did you get on those?

I did read and thought your comments very inappropriate.

Yes on the ease of doi g business  we score low, with good reason.

To each their own, no matter how much at variance they may be with others. Just ask for the opinion of others. You are correct in the obstacles that are before him. I wish him success in his desire to enrich the rum market as I am a devout consumer of libations containing high quality ingredients.  By the way my dog is pregnant, anyone looking for an exceptional puppy, PM me.

Hello,
People are mentioning the challenges of starting a business in DR. Is there a separate post that outlines some of the issues and strategies to mitigate them? Are there some businesses that are more difficult than others to initiate? Or are certain locations easier to work with the local city council? From what I’ve read elsewhere, the government seems “open for business” including sustainable tourism. From your perspective, how would that term be defined? We’re thinking of owning a boutique hotel - either build ourselves or purchase an existing one. Thought?

The actual processes of opening any company is ridiculous here. After that it just continues regardless of where here.

Next week I will start a business thread!

Hi Planner,
I’d greatly appreciate a thread devoted to this topic outlining the issues and possible ways to minimize them. Thanks again. Merry Christmas. It’s -15 Celsius here in the Interior of BC Canada

Happy to help! Merry Christmas

come soon & tan up! Have fortitude & patience, jump thru their hoops & laugh at it all. You can succeed. What type of business have you had experience with & to what depth did you delve in the intrincies (sp) of operation?  Wish you well & good luck in your ventures.

Hello,
I currently own tree farms in the U.S.A. and I am looking at a large piece of property in the DR to possibly start one there. I am curious if it would be better to start a new company in the DR or work as a foreign company. And would i be taxed the same.

Good morning.   I  have some experience in farming here.  There are some good  opportunities here.  What is better will depend very much on your personal and corporate circumstances and strategies. A simple answer is not possible.  I am happy to message you privately.

Yes, pay attention to Planner, SHE KNOWS !!  Good luck & welcome to the site & to the island.

Hello all, I am interested in setting up a tourist attraction in the DR. We do interactive animal exhibit (butterflies, birds) I am seeking information on if there is "room" for another attraction, difficulty of dealing with tour operators etc. Thank you for your time!

Welcome to the forums.

Is there room?  Most likely.

Is it difficult to deal with tour operators? Not really, but it's different here. It's not difficult but it can be complicated 

You will need to incorporate, set up, get all your ducks in a row based on tour operator needs, set up based on ministry of tourism needs etc. It will take some time and juggling.

Your success will be based on a number of factors!

I’m looking to start my own taxi line in the Dominican Republic. I have met friends that do/run excursions, would hire Dominican family members and bilingual Dominicans to work. I want to know if this is something an American can do legally.

Welcome to the forums.  Yes you can legally own a corporation here.  The Taxi industry is both legally controlled and controlled by unions and territories.

I have some expxperience in this industry so I will message you.

Health2018,  I have a successful boutique hotel here in the DR for 8 years.   The beachfront hotel has 26 rentable rooms plus my home overlooking the beach and ocean.  I would be happy to answer any questions.

When I came here 8 years ago opening a company was fairly easy.  But in my case, I bought a property that was already owned by a corporation, so I bought all the shares and that was super simple.

There are taxi  mafias that would prevent you; unless you have some special kind of 'juice'.

So you didn't open a business you bought a corporation. Very very different.

Yes Planner, building a hotel and starting a new corporation to do so would entail a huge amount of paperwork and problems and time and expense in addition to the construction nightmare.  I would not advise anyone to do that.  Best to buy something already built and owned by a corporation.  The easiest and best way to go.

I wont assume all situations are the same. I wont generalize.

What i know for fact is starting a corporation - doing the incorporation process - is time consuming and complicated.

Yes, it was simple, fast & cheap 16 years ago. $8oo usd foe a L.L.C.9 sub chapter S type. Almost three weeks to complte. Not so any more. Despite the time & money,  Watch your back now translates to protect your assets.

Tinker that's a US Corp not dominican!!!!

Different name, same basic capabilities within the Spanish law precepts. I used Juan Perdomo on Pedro Clisante. My corporation's name was Tennedora Deandra w/ accounts in Banco Santa Cruz. My US corp was The Bones Excel Corp. The abilities for both were viryually identical EXCEPT for the variations in the law.  You can open a corp for about $1,000 dollars here. PM me for a referral.  Things may have changeg over the years, that is true. I stand by my afore mentioned statement.  Blinfold me, put me up against the wall, but what I said about 2002 corp is the truth!   Fire at will!   Put that in your pipe & smoke it!  (legal stuff of course).  Thus ends a mini tirade from the Tuba, just a dyiing fart into the winds.

Incorporation as a legal entity changed fairly significantly several years ago. And their are a number of types.

Don't compare to the US as you do a disservice.

Again opening a corporation is many many steps, forms and processes.

Planner as usual, is 100% correct. Things have altered over the years. It costs about a grand now, depends more on the size of the lawyers' office and the complexity & type o corporation.  Protect you assets, incorporate!  PM me for referrals on the N. Shore.

No it costs much more than that my friend.  I know absolutely no one who will open a corporation for you for 1,000 bucks UNLESS they are doing a lot of other work for you as well.

I could use some advice and maybe you have some input?? I would really appreciate it!
I have a successful internet business selling promotional products all over the world & I have done this for 40 years. I have my own people in China and very reliable people working for me. My manager have been with me since start in China 20+ years ago. I have also owned a glass factory in Romania at one point. So in other words I have crystal products and design work in my blood. 

I have some really great friends & they just landed 16 beautiful acres in western Dominican R. & I have something speaking into my ear [maybe GOD] to get involved in their missions on this great land with a hospital and many building that can host over 50 people. I would seriously consider spending time there & not only help my friends, but also help The People there to gain a better life. I really do not find any interest in gaining anymore for myself, but I find more pleasure in giving to others.

So....there you have a little back ground:

Does anybody have any knowledge in moving a company from USA to Dominican? Is there tax advantages? I am really sick and tired in all political fighting in Washington & I feel maybe I could have an opportunity to make a change. I do have kids and grandkids in Florida, but I feel I could visit them every month if I had to.

How about health Insurance?

Maybe I leave it at this and see if anybody could give me advice.

Respectfully,   Peter

I responded to your other post