Las Américas Free Zone Park foresees growth after 40 million investment
President Luis Abinader attended the presentation of the expansion project of the Las Américas Free Zone Park, amid the installation of a company focused on the manufacture of medical devices and their sterilization.
The expansion adds around 800,000 square feet to the industrial buildings, with an investment of more than 40 million dollars.
Abinader highlighted the importance and role that free zones have played during the crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While many countries are looking for alternatives to give oxygen to their economy, here we have a free zone sector that has already integrated 98% of the workers registered before the crisis. And I am sure that this month 100% will be integrated, “said the head of state at the event, where he also highlighted the work of Luis Manuel Pellerano Amiama, founder of Las Américas Free Trade Park.
He highlighted that last October, free zones were the economic sector that registered the highest growth in its contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
The president said that a 6% growth in the national economy is projected for this year, which will place the Dominican Republic at the head of the American continent.
The Minister of Industry, Commerce and SMBs, Víctor Bisonó, explained the project will generate more than 5,000 new jobs in the areas of services, packaging materials, plastic products, manufacture of medical devices, and sterilization services for these products.
Bisonó emphasized that the expansion of this free zone complex adds to dozens of new industrial projects that are under construction in the country to offer new job opportunities.
“I would like to emphasize the sterilization of medical devices. A project of very high strategic value, since it is the first company established in our country to provide sterilization services to companies that make up the subsector of medical devices”, referred the official.
He pointed out that nine of the 30 largest companies in the world in the medical device industry have direct manufacturing operations in the country’s free zones and that they have made direct investments of more than 1,000 million dollars.
Claudia Pellerano, president of the Las Américas Free Zones Shareholders Council, appreciated the recognition that it has given to free zones as one of the most important sectors of the country’s economy.
“Our desire is to continue attracting world-class companies and continue to grow,” said Pellerano.
On his side, Miguel Estepan, CEO of the Las Américas Free Trade Zone Park, reiterated his gratitude to the Government of President Abinader and assured him that they will continue to bet on expansion, development, and human talent.
Present at the event, together with the president, Ascensión Deligne, Minister of Public Works and Communications, and Felipe Suberví, director of the National Institute of Potable Water and Sewers (Inapa).
In addition, present at the event, Luis Manuel Pellerano, commercial director of the company, and Daniel Liranzo, executive director of the National Council of Free Export Zones