DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) reports that the national economy expanded by 4.1% during the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. This growth was significantly bolstered by the free zone manufacturing sector, which posted a notable 7.8% increase in March alone.

According to official data, overall economic activity grew by 5.1% year-on-year in March, driven by the real value-added performance of several productive sectors. Free zone manufacturing emerged as a primary catalyst for this momentum, hitting a historic monthly export ceiling of US$841.2 million, an 8% year-on-year rise for the month.

Service exports and employmentJohannes Kelner, executive director of the National Council of Free Zones (CNZFE), emphasized that the sector’s impact extends beyond traditional manufacturing. Kelner noted that service-exporting firms within the...