The National Council of Free Zones approved the installation of five new industrial parks in the province of Santiago. These require an investment of over US$31 million. The new free zones will be built in Pontezuela, Tamboril, Villa González, Laguna Prieta and Caribbean Industrial Park. The Laguna Prieta and Pontezuela parks will specialize in the processing of tobacco. Some 19,861 persons will be employed by the zones that are expected to generate upwards of US$76 million in foreign currency a year. Minister of Industry and Commerce Luis Manuel Bonetti signed the authorization agreements at an act held at the Hotel Lina in the presence of Fernando Capellán, Salvador Gómez, Henry Kelner, Soto Bermúdez and Larisa Díaz, who represented the park developers. Speaking at the event, Minister Bonetti said that some 182,000 Dominicans are employed in free zones, and foreign exchange receipts are over US$700 million, or 28% more than last year. Exports are expected to reach US$2,300 million, for a growth of 21%.
