The exchange rate of the US dollar in the Dominican Republic has shown significant fluctuations in recent months, reaching historical levels that concern merchants, consumers and economic authorities. Currently, the dollar is quoted above RD $ 64, exceeding official projections and generating direct impacts on the cost of living.
According to economists and the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD), this variation responds to a combination of internal and external factors:
External factors:
Geopolitical tensions: International uncertainty leads companies and investors to take refuge in the dollar as safe assets.
Internal factors:
Currency demand: The increase in imports and the anticipation of future costs has raised the purchase of dollars by local companies.
Local monetary policy: The Central Bank has injected liquidity to stimulate the economy, which has increased the demand for foreign exchange and pressed the exchange rate.
Fiscal deficit and current account: Public spending and imbalance between exports and imports also affect the need for dollars.
Fluctuation in remittances and tourism: A decrease in this income reduces the availability of dollars in the local market.
Merchants warn that the increase in the dollar makes basic products take
