The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern part of the island of Hispaniola. It gained sovereign independence in 1844. Switzerland recognised the new state and in 1936 opened a consulate in Santo Domingo. During World War II, Switzerland represented the interests of the Dominican Republic in several states. The Swiss Consulate in Santo Domingo became a consulate-general in 1959 and an embassy in 2007.

Economic relations between Switzerland and the Dominican Republic are modest although they date back to the 19th century when Swiss nationals were active in trade and later in the country’s natural resources extraction industries. Swiss companies active in the Dominican Republic include Nestlé and the Davidoff-Oettinger Group (cigar exports). In 2006, two bilateral agreements came into effect governing aviation and the protection of investments, respectively.

The Dominican Republic has maintained a representation in Switzerland since 1913. At the end of 2010, 5,635 citizens of the Dominican Republic were living in Switzerland. 1,963 Swiss nationals are currently (2010) living in the Dominican Republic.