Trade facilitator Taiana Mora Ramis warned in Santo Domingo that incomplete export programs in developing countries fail to create jobs or generate foreign currency.
Writing on August 20, 2026, the Caribbean trade specialist said economic support institutions frequently measure completed activities rather than actual transactions, leaving small businesses unable to finish international sales.
Mora Ramis pointed to small enterprises that receive public or private training, produce promotional material, and attract interest from buyers in the United States through social media platforms like Instagram. However, many of these businesses fail at the final stage because they lack the funds required to modify their products, packaging, or containers to meet buyer requirements.
She explained that while supporting organizations mark their project indicators as complete and declare the initiative a success, the affected companies only almost export without securing lasting commercial growth.
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is a central trade hub in the Caribbean region. Economic development projects in the area frequently focus on helping local small and medium sized businesses access larger foreign markets, particularly the United States and Europe.
E-commerce obstacles and high shipping costs
The trade expert highlighted a stark contrast in international digital commerce within developing nations. While local consumers can purchase goods from international platforms in two clicks and receive them within two days, local businesses trying to sell overseas from their home countries encounter major obstacles.
Mora Ramis noted that local exporters face limited online payment options, difficulty collecting payments in United States dollars or euros, and shipping costs that in some cases exceed the total value of the merchandise.
Policy flaws and taxes on digital inputs
According to Mora Ramis, current economic policies routinely bring companies to the doorstep of success but fail to help them cross the final threshold. Traditional assistance programs often end immediately after training sessions, export plan drafting, or attendance at trade fairs and trade missions.
She emphasized that real market success requires continuous intelligence, direct buyer contact, product adjustments, commercial presence, marketing, and ongoing innovation. Furthermore, service exporters already face double taxation and must deal with a 15 percent increase in the cost of digital inputs, as tax policies fail to distinguish between personal digital consumption and essential inputs used to generate exports.
Financing barriers for knowledge-based firms
Financing presents another major hurdle, especially for knowledge-based companies such as video game designers or businesses winning international tenders. Mora Ramis explained that these enterprises need financing to hire personnel and cover several months of work before receiving export income.
Financial institutions rarely accept corporate experience, intellectual property, or signed international contracts as collateral. Because banks demand physical assets to secure loans, firms with strong foreign currency potential are left without suitable financial instruments.
Comprehensive export policies needed
To address these structural gaps, Mora Ramis argued that economic development policies must accompany businesses through every stage of the export cycle. She called for comprehensive support including product modifications, international certifications, packaging, logistics, working capital, and commercial presence.
She urged governments and development agencies to measure success through concrete outcomes, such as completed sales, recurring clients, foreign currency generated, and jobs created, rather than the number of trained companies or executed activities.
