Dominican exports are expected to drop 8% this year in relation to 1997, as a result of the effects on production caused by Hurricane Georges, the low world market prices of ferronickel that brought about the close of the Falconbridge plant, the decline in sugar exports and an increase in local demand brought about by the growing tourism industry. As of July 1998, export statistics already showed a negative difference of US$90 million decline compared to 1996, Atahualpa Dom?nguez, director of the Dominican Center for the Promotion of Exports told List?n Diario newspaper. Last year, exports were US$3,269.1 million, up US$556.5 million more than 1996. This broke down in US$946.9 million of non-free zone exports up 13.34%, and free zone exports were U$2,322.2 million up 445.1 million more than 1996, a 24% growth.
