According to the National Free Zones Council, the Dominican Republic is the seventh largest exporter of textiles to the United States. In 1997, the country exported more than US$2,000 million in textiles. The 27% growth in textile exports from the Dominican Republic was only surpassed worldwide by the 28.33% growth of China and Mexico’s 40.89%. Textile exports were up 11.75% in Korea; 20.76% in Canada 20.76%; 5.05% in Taiwan; and 0.58% in Hong Kong. Textile exports generated foreign exchange for US$700 million, up 21%. The National Free Zones Council says that the free zone textile industries accounted for 145,000 jobs in 1997. Some 77 new apparel companies were installed in 1997.
