The Dominican Center for Exports & Investments (CEI-RD) reports that exports for the first nine months of the year were up 6.32%. According to the governmental agency, exports stood at US$2.963 billion, which is US$176 million more than reported for January to September 2002.
Diario Libre informs that non-free zone exports were up 3.86%, going from US$664.6 million for the first nine months of 2002 to US$690.3 million for the same period in 2003. There were increases seen in ferronickel and gypsum sales, as well as in cacao, coffee and sugar exports. Free zone exports that make up 77% of the total were up US$150 million, or 7%.
The Dominican Association of Free Zones (Adozona) had reported that apparel exports, which make up most of free zone exports, were down 0.3% during the first nine months of this year compared to the same period last year (see DR1 Daily News of 18 November). The Adozona report is based on data from the US Department of Commerce.