The public trust backed by Grupo Ramos's assets, such as the Multiplaza shopping centre, will allow small investors to participate in real estate growth. The operation aims to strengthen the Dominican capital market.
The Dominican capital market takes a step forward with the structuring of a public trust backed by real estate assets from Grupo Ramos, the giant of commerce and shopping centres in the country. The operation, which includes properties like the iconic Multiplaza shopping centre, will enable any saver to acquire shares in these assets and benefit from their economic performance.
According to sources in the financial sector, the vehicle is regulated and supervised by the Superintendence of Securities Market (SIMV). Investors will be able to purchase securities that represent a portion of the trust's equity, with income coming from the exploitation of the properties. The issuance prospectus will detail the risks and conditions, as is customary for such instruments.
The initiative comes at a time when the Dominican economy is maintaining steady growth, but the capital market still has limited development compared to the size of GDP. Large business groups have traditionally financed themselves with private capital, reinvestment of profits, and bank credit. Now, the aim is to open new avenues for popular savings to drive productive projects.
A financial vehicle for high-quality assets
The public trust is a legal figure that allows for the grouping of real estate assets — such as shopping centres, logistics parks, corporate buildings, or tourist complexes — into a separate estate. This estate is divided into shares that are placed in the stock market. Investors receive returns based on the performance of those assets, without the need to purchase the entire property.
In the case of Grupo Ramos, the operation includes consolidated and high-quality assets. The company, owner of chains like Sirena and Supermercados Nacional, has demonstrated its capacity for innovation. Recently, the Sirena Market Lope de Vega store extended its hours to 24 hours, a decision that reflects confidence in the local market and the evolution of consumer habits.
The structuring of this trust is not an isolated event. It represents a model that could be replicated in other sectors. Hotels, marinas, industrial parks, private hospitals, and concessioned ports and airports could follow the same path to finance new investments and offer savings alternatives to Dominicans.
More capital, more transparency, and an educational challenge
For companies, the advantage is clear: they gain access to an additional source of financing, diversify their capital structure, and strengthen their corporate governance. For investors, the opportunity is to diversify their wealth with real assets and returns linked to the real economy. The capital market gains depth, liquidity, and sophistication, and the country can finance long-term strategic projects with national savings.
However, the success of this formula depends on a key factor: financial education. Many Dominicans are still unaware of what a public trust is, how it works, what its risks are, and how it fits into a wealth strategy. Without informed citizens, the market cannot grow solidly.
Therefore, experts agree that the next step must be to promote financial education programmes. The opportunity is enormous: large economic groups can lead a more participatory growth model, where popular savings become a driver of development. It is not about relinquishing business control, but about sharing the fruits of growth with society.
Grupo Ramos's issuance is, in that sense, a hopeful sign. If more companies follow its example, the Dominican Republic could make a qualitative leap in the democratisation of investment and the solidity of its capital market.
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