Federico (Quique) Antún, president of the opposition Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), has sent out a press release reminding the Medina administration that by sourcing medical supplies from local free zones it will have savings and help the economy.
Antún, a former strong ally of PLD governments, is now backing the presidency of former President Leonel Fernández, who is running for President this time on the opposition party People’s Force (FP) ticket.
Antún demanded that the government give priority to local suppliers in the purchase of coronavirus protection equipment. He said it is inexplicable that the Dominican authorities are spending billions of pesos to purchase these goods abroad when there are more than 20 companies in free zones that can produce the masks and other protective equipment. He stressed these goods would be “even of much better quality and better prices.”
He said there is no explanation for the fact that these purely Dominican companies have been excluded from the purchase of coronavirus protection equipment, such as washable and disposable masks, as well as medical gowns, blankets, gloves and others.
The free zone law limits to 20% their sales in the domestic market. Several free zone industries have manufactured medical supplies that have been donated during the health crisis.
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Diario Libre
27 May 2020