This eastern side is more residential and less commercially developed, but it too has experienced growth, though at a slower pace than Santo Domingo itself, with new malls and department stores.

Santo Domingo Este has a variety of shopping centers, some of them among the largest in the country, such as Mega Centro and Coral Mall.

There are also commercial districts in the Venezuela Avenue and St. Vincent de Paul areas, which feature active nightlife and restaurants.

The municipality also includes the Villa Panamericana, a housing complex built for the athletes of the 2003 Pan American Games.

Companies with a presence in the area include Barceló, Manufacturera Sociedad Industrial, Lácteos Dominicanos, Parmalat, Telever, Codetel, Tricom, as well as construction, energy, and agricultural businesses.