In an interview in Listin Diario, the director of the National Council of Export Free Zones (CNZFE), Luisa Fernandez, says that the sector experienced outstanding growth in 2011. She said that exports totaled US$4.475 million, or a 17% increase compared to 2010. She said that the main growth areas in the sector were footwear and textiles, which registered increases of 57% and 21% respectively. She said that the jewelry manufacture sector was up 20%, medical products 17%, for a marked variety of export products. She said that there was a 3% increase in jobs. The sector now employs 125,000 employees, up from 121,000 in 2010.
Fernandez forecast continued growth. She said that in 2011, the CNZFE approved the operation of 76 new companies that will add another 8,384 direct jobs, with a RD$2.48 billion investment. She forecast foreign exchange generation of US$63.4 million. The new companies will provide call center services (21%), farming products (17%), apparel (10%), tobacco products (9%), and others.
She attributed the growth to the Fernandez administration’s economic policies.
There are 51 export free zone parks in operation in the Dominican Republic with 582 companies nationwide.