The Diario Libre reports that exports for the first half
of the year are up by 8% over 2002, going from US$1.79 billion to US$1.93
billion, according to data from the Center for Exports and Investments (CEI-RD).
The hard numbers illustrate a 7.74% increase over 2002, boosted by a 9.06%
increase in exports from the free zones, to represent 76% of all total exports.
National exports grew by nearly 4%, with an impressive jump for the mineral
sector, which shipped US$23 million more this year than last. Traditional
exports, led by sugar, coffee, cacao and tobacco, grew by 5.65%. The United
States, Puerto Rico, Haiti and South Korea are the main markets, receiving 69%
of all exports and 96% of the exports from the duty-free zones.
The dollar has continued to gain over the peso, with yesterday?s sales showing
the dollar being quoted at RD$35.30, up from RD$32.70 two weeks ago. The visible
scarcity of last week was reaffirmed in yesterday?s market and there was
difficulty in securing purchases for more that US$2,000 at a time.