Center for Exports & Investments (CEI-RD) statistics show that exports in the DR for the period January-September were down 21.5%, as reported in Hoy. Exports to the US, the leading market for Dominican exports, were down 15.56%. Last year, the DR exported 54.13% of all its goods and services to the US. In 2008, the US received 50.33% of all Dominican exports. <\/p>\n
Dominican Exporters Association president Ricardo Koenig said that exports were affected mainly because the Falconbridge mining operation suspended ferronickel exports. In 2008 ferronickel exports totaled US$449.90 million, compared to just US$4.46 million in 2009. <\/p>\n
Haiti is the second largest market for Dominican products, with official exports at US$460.95 million. <\/p>\n
Leading Dominican exports for the Jan-Sept 2009 period were blood transfusion equipment US$334.58 million, cotton textiles US$188.25 million, handmade cigars US$175.23 million, disposable medical products US$98.38 million and raw sugar cane US$91.39 million. The DR also exported US$37.51 million worth of copper. Copper exports are highly controversial because a large portion is known to be stolen wiring. <\/p>\n
Koenig complained that the export sector does not receive incentives from the government, and thus competes at a disadvantage with regional exporters. He called for less taxation, as well as a freedom to contract transport services, and less costly electricity. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Center for Exports & Investments (CEI-RD) statistics show that exports in the DR for the period January-September were down 21.5%, as reported in Hoy. Exports to the US, the leading market for Dominican exports, were down 15.56%. Last year, the DR exported 54.13% of all its goods and services to the US. In 2008, the … <\/p>\n