During the first 10 months of 2005, Dominican exports grew to US$860 million – an 18.5% increase compared to the same period in 2004 – according to the Center for Exports and Investments (CEI-RD), as reported by El Caribe. The increase is attributed to the US economy’s 4.4% recovery during 2004 and the foreign trade policy in anticipation of the FTA with the US market and Central America, generating greater dynamism in the productive and export sectors. Figures provided do not include free zone exports.