Exports are up to a record level for the first 11 months of the year. Biviana Riveiro Disla, executive director of the Export and Investment Center of the Dominican Republic (ProDominicana) announces exports for January to November 2021 are at US$10.81 billion. This is US$734 million more than the highest annual value in the country’s history that was in 2019 when exports were US$10.08 billion. Exports for the first 11 months of the year surpassed the total exported in 2020.
Most Dominican exports are to the United States. Cigars showed a 38.4% growth, equivalent to US$212.7 million. Jewelry exports were up US$212.7 million. Electrodiagnostic devices report US$161.6 million more. Silver plate exports were up US$156.6 million. T-shirt exports were up US$116.2 million.
Exports in November 2021 were up 24%.
Riveiro Disla attributes the growth to new platforms and services that are helping exporters improve their access to international markets. Among these is the Exporters Director, the Export Guide, the FDi markets service, training and workshops.
The new 24-hour dispatch by the Customs Agency (DGA) and the overall strengthening of the country as a logistics hub are helping to push the export numbers upwards.
Furthermore, Riveiro Disla also mentions the new credit offered by the Bandex export bank, the launching of the Trade Promotion Plan by the Ministry of Foreign Relations and Pro Dominicana to help diplomatic and consular staff promote trade, the strengthening of the Dominican Quality System in support of exports, the adaptation and use of industrial parks administered by the government to house exporting SMEs, the promotion of the export free zone sector, and local industry by the Ministry of Industry & Commerce among other initiatives.
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Pro Dominicana
14 December 2021