The Dominican Republic manufactures thousands of surgical masks, medical gowns and ventilators in its export free zones. A report in El Dia reveals that the country has the capacity to produce the medical devices the country needs to overcome the coronavirus health crisis.
The Dominican Republic is already among the top five suppliers to the United States of medical devices. For example, the leading companies Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson have been operating for over 10 years in the free zone regime of the Dominican Republic. More than 30 other companies have operation in medical and pharmaceutical products manufacturing, with exports of US$1.65 billion in 2019.
As reported in El Dia, Omar Jimenez, coordinator of the Cluster of Medical Devices, explains that there is a wide range of products manufactured here that could contribute to mitigating the health crisis. He explained export companies are restricted from selling locally. He said at present the cluster is collaborating with the National Council of Export Free Zones (CNZFE) and the Dominican Association of Free Zones (Adozona) to find a way around the red tape and make a contribution to the Dominican Republic’s medical needs.
Jose Manuel Torres, executive vice president for Adozona, says that five local free zone manufacturers that produce medical devices have already delivered donations of surgical masks for the local market. He said these are able to increase their production to supply local needs.
During the 1 April 2020 press briefing, in a response to question by El Día director José Monegro, Public Health Minister Dr. Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas said the Ministry has been in contact with Luisa Fernández, director of the CNZFE and is studying the proposal for sourcing the needed medical products locally.
Follow the story in Spanish:
YouTube — MSP briefing Bulletin No. 13
El Dia
CNZFE
2 April 2020