Free Zones contribute 77.1 percent of the growth in exports
The free zones contributed to 77.1% of the growth of the country’s total exports from January to May of this year.
During this period the accumulated exports totaled US$ 3,178.1 million, this being the amount exported highest since 2012 according to figures from the General Directorate of Customs (DGA).
With a 61.8% share in total exports, the sector maintains its positive performance and its exports grew 12.2% in the first five months of the year, that is, US$345.9 million more compared to January-May 2021, according to the report.
At the subsector level, plastic articles represented the one with the highest relative growth with 43.2% compared to January – May 2021, followed by textile manufacturing (23.7%), medical and pharmaceutical devices (21.4%) and tobacco and its derivatives ( 8.2%).
For the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Mipymes, Víctor -Ito- Bisonó, free zones have the highest incidence in the country’s total exports and maintain a predominant participation in the Dominican export structure.
“With the leadership of President Luis Abinader, the investment climate has been strengthened, supported by political, economic and social stability, conducive to the growth of foreign direct investment in the country,” the minister said.
Regarding the destination of exports, the United States remains the main recipient with 72.8%, followed by Haiti, a destination country of 6.3%, and Puerto Rico, which receives 4.5% of the exported goods and services produced by industries in the Republic. Dominican.
The free zones have strong roots in the country, contributing to the generation of direct jobs, professionalizing the Dominican labor force, promoting the national productive chain and the growth of exports.
A significant aspect that becomes evident is the strengthening of the productive chain between the free zones and the national manufacturing industry, since an interannual growth of 8.8% of local purchases is registered during the first quarter of the year, compared to the same period. of 2021.
From January to April of this year, RD$ 35,939 million in local purchases from free zones are registered, that is, more than RD$ 2,900 million above the RD$ 33,041 million reached last year.