President Leonel Fernandez was in Bonao for the groundbreaking of the free zone that calls for a US$72 million investment by the Us manufacturing company. Lee Chaden, chief executive officer of the Sara Lee Branded Apparel Management ? Americas division, said that the investment shows the company’s confidence in the Dominican authorities and the country. President Fernandez told Chaden that in the DR the investment made by Sara Lee is especially valued as it comes in a timely and transcendental moment not only for the nation, but for the apparel industry. He said that the competition from China and India is the leading challenge the future of the apparel industry in export zones in the DR faces. He said that the dismantling of the quota system puts at risk 30 million jobs around the world, including thousands in the Dominican Republic. Fernandez said that he trusts Congress will pass the free trade agreement with the US and that the Sara Lee comes to the DR in the understanding that the agreement will be passed.
The Dominican Republic is benefited from the closing of plants and reduction in work force in Puerto Rico, despite receiving millions in incentives for job creation and infrastructure from the Puerto Rican government, as Sara Lee strives to remain competitive. The company has slashed its labor-intensive work force in Puerto Rico moving to what it considers the more competitive Dominican Republic.