The president of the Dominican Association of Exporters (Adoexpo), Kai Schoenhals is challenging Dominicans to export much more than US$4 billion in non-free zone goods in 2011. He expects exports to increase in 2011, given the start of exports by Barrick Gold, the restart of Falconbridge exports and a boost to sugar exports, as reported in El Caribe.<\/p>\n
He said that the present total of US$4 billion is “ridiculous.” He made the point that other territories with less land and without the DR’s privileged geographical location export more. In a conversation Schoenhals mentioned the example of Israel, which exports US$100 billion in farming products a year.<\/p>\n
He said Dominican exports are barely 0.04% of international trade, and that in the national strategy set by the government, the goal is 1%, but Schoenhals says he sees little in the way of concrete actions on the part of the state to help the country meet this target.<\/p>\n
As reported in El Caribe, Adoexpo has reported that exports were up 15.25% this year, after a negative 2009, when exports declined 30%. He said the country needed to export US$10-US$15 billion a year to leap towards development.<\/p>\n
Also participating in the conversation with the press were Kary Van Der Horst, executive director of Adoexpo, Eduardo Barcelo, vice treasurer, Alvaro Sousa, Takuji Tomono, former president Ricardo Koenig.<\/p>\n
Shoenhals stated: “An awareness of the importance of exporting has to be created, especially in food products. We need to promote Dominican farm products at international fairs, the same as tourism is promoted.” He mentioned the case of Peru where exporters meet with the President every month. He said that 80% of Peru’s exports are by small and medium-sized companies.<\/p>\n
He stressed the importance of Haiti as the country’s leading trading partner and says that placing goods for the rebuilding process in Haiti is a matter where logistics prevails.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The president of the Dominican Association of Exporters (Adoexpo), Kai Schoenhals is challenging Dominicans to export much more than US$4 billion in non-free zone goods in 2011. He expects exports to increase in 2011, given the start of exports by Barrick Gold, the restart of Falconbridge exports and a boost to sugar exports, as reported … <\/p>\n