The National Council of Free Trade Zones has approved the creation of five new FTZs (known in the DR as "zonas francas"), representing an initial investment of RD$55 million and expected to generate more than US$4 million in revenues. The approval was announced by Industry and Commerce Minister Luis Manuel Bonetti after a meeting of the Council in Santiago. Two of the new parks will be created in San Pedro de Macor?s, and one a piece for Los Alcarrizos, La Romana and Salcedo. In 1998 alone, seven new FTZs were authorized by the Council and 58 new firms approved to operate within the parks.
