Claudia Pellerano is the new president of the Dominican Association of Free Zones (Adozona). During the inaugural session, she said the goal is to reach a record-breaking US$10 billion in exports by 2026, Diario Libre reports.
The new Adozona board, which will serve from 2025 to 2026, includes José Tomás Contreras as first vice president, Frank Rodríguez, Luis Emilio Rodríguez, and Marcos Cabral as second, third, and fourth vice presidents, respectively. Aquiles Bermúdez will serve as secretary.
In her inaugural address, Pellerano highlighted the significant contributions of the free zone sector to the Dominican economy, noting that in 2024, free zones accounted for 66.5% of the country’s total exports. She projected that this figure would reach approximately $9 billion in 2025.
“The 92 parks in the sector have contributed to the country’s development through investments, the promotion of knowledge and technology transfer, and job creation,” said Pellerano.
A recently released study, “Dominican Free Zones: Investing to Contribute in an Environment of Risks and Opportunities,” highlighted the sector’s historical performance, from “The Golden Years (1993-2000)” to the “Great Opportunity (2020-2024).” The research indicated that in 2026, the sector provided 198,034 jobs, with women holding 53% of these positions.
Provincially, San Cristóbal, Santiago, and San Pedro de Macorís emerged as the top three locations for free zone employment, accounting for 47%, 24%, and 22% of jobs, respectively.
“Adozona has always been a key player in national dialogues,” said Pellerano, who previously served as president of the Association of Free Zones of the Americas. “From our founders who understood the need for collaboration to those of us who continue their work, we have always been committed to the future of the Dominican Republic.”
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Diario Libre
16 January 2025