Customs Agency director Eduardo Sanz Lovaton encouraged UASD students to engage in a career in logistics. He told UASD Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences students that the Abinader administration will be making available scholarships for post-graduate studies in logistics-related fields. In his talk with the students of the state university, the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, Eduardo Sanz Lovaton said logistics is already the top foreign currency earner for the Dominican economy when factoring in exports from free trade zones and national industries.
Sanz Lovaton described logistics as “the Dominican oil”, with an enormous growth potential. He emphasized the country’s potential as a regional logistics hub, citing advancements in air connectivity and technology implemented in ports and airports to streamline customs and commercial operations.
“Many people don’t recognize that we have the capacity to be an exporting powerhouse, and the main generator of foreign exchange for our economy aren’t remittances, sugar, coffee, or cacao; it’s exports, with over 70% originating from our free trade zones,” Sanz Lovatón explained.
He detailed the ongoing efforts by the Customs Agency to foster a favorable investment climate for logistics, expressing his conviction that this sector will be the new economic pillar, contributing to education, security, employment, and opportunities for the nation.
“Logistics will be our oil,” he reiterated, outlining the progress in air connectivity and the technological upgrades at the country’s ports and airports designed to enhance customs and trade efficiency.
Sanz Lovaton’s remarks are supported by the findings of a recent study that quantifies the significant economic impact of the Dominican logistics sector and projects a robust growth of 3.78% by 2034. The “Evaluation of the Impact of the Logistics Sector on the Dominican Economy,” presented by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MICM), reveals that logistics contributed 3.14% to the nation’s GDP in 2023, encompassing both direct and indirect effects.
This landmark analysis, spearheaded by technical director Julio Lozano with methodological support from Oxford Economics and local expertise from Datalityca, marks a pivotal moment for the country. It provides a distinct measurement of the logistics sector, separating it from the broader “Transportation and Storage” category traditionally used by the Central Bank, thus offering a clearer understanding of its crucial role in national development.
Key findings of the study:
The report, unveiled at an event held at Ferries del Caribe, highlighted several key findings:
• GDP contribution: The logistics sector directly contributed 2.43% to the GDP in 2023, with projections indicating a rise to 2.9% by 2034. Factoring in indirect effects, the total contribution reached 3.14% in 2023 and is expected to climb to 3.78% within the next decade.
• Job creation: Between 2012 and 2023, direct employment within the sector surged by over 138%. Including indirect jobs, the growth was an impressive 226%.
• Future employment: By 2034, the sector is estimated to generate 196,258 jobs, with the cargo transport subsector leading the way with an anticipated 93,750 positions.
• Growth drivers: Auxiliary logistics services and cargo transport subsectors are identified as significant drivers of both economic and employment growth within the sector, underscoring logistics’ strategic importance as an economic engine and a vital platform for global trade integration.
Dominican Republic’s logistics advantage:
Minister Bisonó emphasized the Dominican Republic’s strategic advantages, noting that the country boasts five logistics centers and 33 companies in the sector that handle over US$2 billion annually, generating thousands of jobs.
“Our geographical position, combined with an intermodal logistics network encompassing maritime, air, and land transport, makes us a natural connection point between the Americas, Europe, and Asia. And we are capitalizing on this,” the minister added.
In the maritime sector, the ports of Caucedo, Río Haina, and Santo Domingo are recognized as some of the most efficient ports in the region. “Thanks to the incorporation of advanced technology and the implementation of the 24-Hour Dispatch program, over 85,000 containers have been dispatched in less than a day, reducing the average dispatch time by 40.96%, from 6 days and 22 hours to just 4 days and 2 hours,” Minister Bisonó explained.
He further stated that “all this progress is not accidental; it is a result of President Luis Abinader’s clear vision, which has made logistics a state priority.”
Minister Bisonó concluded by urging the logistics sector to continue advancing in unity and synergy with the public sector, emphasizing that “the country is moving, and it is not doing so by inertia. It is driven by a living, modern logistics sector, connected to the world and the future.”
The study’s presentation was attended by key figures from the logistics and free zone sectors, including Vice Minister Johanes Kelner, the director of the National Free Zones Council Daniel Liranzo, the president of Ferries del Caribe Nestor González, and consultant Julio Gonzalez.
About Law 30-24:
Law 30-24 on Logistics Centers, Operating Companies of Logistics Centers, and Logistics Operating Companies establishes a legal framework to regulate the operations of logistics centers and operating companies. Its objective is to promote the country’s sustainable development and enhance its international competitiveness. The law came into effect on 30 July 2024.
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Listin Diario
Listin Diario
Presidency
15 May 2025