Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce Highlights Launch of Export Manual and Strategies to Strengthen Puerto Rico’s Competitiveness
San Juan, Puerto Rico, June 10, 2026 – Strengthening Puerto Rico’s business ecosystem was a central focus during the opening day of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce (PRCC) 2026 Convention, which brought together senior government officials, private sector leaders, and international experts to discuss strategies aimed at advancing economic development, innovation, and organizational leadership across the Island.
“We must make a call for a shift in mindset and pay attention to what is happening in the region and around the world. Singapore is a prime example. Once a poor nation, it is now ranked as the world’s leading economy in economic freedom in 2026. This transformation was achieved by reducing bureaucracy, lowering taxes, eliminating barriers to business creation, and developing a system that protects the right to create and innovate—something Puerto Rico seeks to achieve through its new permitting regulations,” said Margaret Ramírez Báez, Esq., President of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce.
Among the key topics discussed during the business forum, held under the theme “Growth & Freedom,” Soraya Morón Vélez, Assistant Secretary for Entrepreneurship and Business Development at the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC), presented the benefits of the new Export Manual, a resource developed in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce to support businesses interested in expanding into international markets.
“Business owners consistently tell us they want to export but need guidance on how to get started. They needed a roadmap, and that is precisely why we developed this project. This guide helps companies better understand the export process, identify opportunities, and make more informed decisions. More importantly, it serves as a starting point for businesses to begin evaluating their international potential,” said Morón Vélez.
Ella Woger, CEO of Invest Puerto Rico (InvestPR), discussed the economic freedom models of successful jurisdictions with strong connectivity, access to talent, and robust infrastructure, comparing them to Puerto Rico’s strengths and challenges.
“Puerto Rico presents a unique reality. It has highly qualified talent, is part of the United States, and has direct access to major markets. The challenge lies in transforming those strengths into long-term economic activity. Countries such as Singapore and Ireland focused on industries where they could compete and aligned their talent development strategies accordingly,” she stated.
She added, “A favorable regulatory framework is not enough. Investments in education, research, and development are equally important. Competitiveness factors must be leveraged to drive sustainable long-term economic growth. These countries have also benefited from consistency in their institutions and policies that transcend political cycles.”
Discussion Panels
Several key topics related to Puerto Rico’s economic and business development were explored throughout the first day of the convention. One of the featured sessions was the panel discussion titled “Growth and Economic Freedom,” which included Eli Sepúlveda, Executive Vice President of Commercial Credit at Popular, Inc.; José Rafael Fernández, Chief Executive Officer of Oriental Bank; and Ella Woger Nieves, Chief Executive Officer of InvestPR. The panel examined the factors driving Puerto Rico’s competitiveness and economic growth.
The convention also featured an export-focused reaction panel moderated by Hugo Lasso, President of the PRCC Export, Transportation and Logistics Committee, alongside Leonyl Ortiz, Director of PromoExport at DDEC. The discussion brought together distinguished business leaders, including Mariano Parlato, Market Development Manager at LaSalle Group, LLC; Ángel Escalera, Administrative Vice President of Néstor Reyes, Inc.; Carmen Ríos, Vice President and Co-owner of Dulzura Borincana; José M. Baeza, President and Chief Executive Officer of Teselta; and international guest Demóstenes Pérez Castillero, Founding Partner of IPL Group. Panelists shared insights, experiences, and opportunities to strengthen the export capacity of Puerto Rican businesses.
The agenda also included a panel on artificial intelligence moderated by Pedro Fernández, President of Cube Events. Participants included Japhed Riestra Marchand, Chief Executive Officer of Lintryxs; Jesús E. “Nesty” Delgado, Ph.D., Director of the PMTL Institute at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez; and Hernán Quirós Strunz, Managing Director of Ricoh LATAM. The experts discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on productivity, innovation, and the digital transformation of organizations.
Media Contect:
Karen Garnik, APR, Fellow PRSA
787.502.2424, karen@globalvisioncomms.com
Isadora Hernández
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Brenda Vázquez
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