Business leaders in Bonao are advocating the idea of using the abandoned Bonao Free Zone industrial installations to install packaging plants for produce from the many farm nurseries in the area, as reported in Hoy. The Bonao Chamber of Commerce members point out that 14 industrial plants have been closed for five years, which could create hundreds of jobs if the idea is put into action. Speaking for the entity, Jacobo Paulino said that the investment needed would be to purchase the equipment. He said this could be a mixed private-public investment. Luis Rosado, vice president of the Chamber, said that Bonao’s strategic central location is ideal for transport because it is near the ports of Haina and Puerto Plata, and Santiago airport.
Paulino and Rosado said that unemployment is 30% in the area, double the rate in the rest of the country. The area has been affected by the closure of Falcondo operations due to dropping nickel prices, and this affects trade in Bonao.
Paulino and Rosado said they were working on the design of a Strategic Plan for Monsenor Nouel province in order to identify and involve the people of Bonao in the solutions.
The Bonao area produces rice, coffee and cacao, and dairy products. The area also has potential as a cultural and ecotourism destination, with the Candido Bido museum, the Cristian Tiburcio arts house, and the work of the Santos de Palo. The province’s natural attractions include the Jima waterfalls, the Blanco mountains, the Coffee Route, the watering holes of Fula and El Camellon (Masipedro), and the Rincon and Hatillo dams. The business leaders also mentioned that the province had the largest number of rivers in the country.
Abogan por crear zona franca en Bonao para empacar productos agrícolas