(Southeast reporter NatalieKeith contributed to this article.)

As GlobeSt.com reported last month, Dominican and Floridabusiness leaders have joined forces to form the Dominican-AmericanBusiness Initiative. The design of the group, which was formed at aMay 12 meeting between leaders of the two countries, is to fosterreal estate and other business ventures between the US and theDominican Republic. The group was formed in light of the newCentral America-Dominican Republic-United States Free TradeAgreement, which becomes effective this month. Under the agreement,tariffs and trade restrictions will be eliminated over the nextseveral years. DABI is being spearheaded by attorney JeffreySiskind of Siskind Legal Solutions of South Florida LLC. Siskind'sfamily built the Jarajua Hotel in 1988 and later sold it toMarriott. It now operates as the Renaissance Jarajua Hotel andCasino. Last month, Siskind invited the Dominican Secretary ofState, Joaquin Geronimo, to speak before South Florida businessleaders and discuss the potential for growth. Later that month,Geronimo sat down for an exclusive interview with GlobeSt.com. Theinterview was conducted through interpreter Lena Ciccone, a civilengineer and expert in her own right on Dominican real estatematters.

GlobeSt.com: You are already in a growth mode. Howmuch has the construction sector generally grown?