The National Council of Export Free Zones (CNZFE) of the Dominican Republic approved the installation permits for 13 new free zone companies, which will entail a projected investment of more than USD 89.19 million.
According to the information offered at the seventh ordinary meeting, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM), and President of the Council, Víctor Bisonó, indicated that these companies will create 1,881 direct jobs and will generate around USD 19.92 million in foreign currency, which will significantly impact the national economy.
Furthermore, the installation permits for three industrial parks were approved, with an estimated investment of about USD 46.02 million and an amount greater than USD 4.17 million in foreign currency.
For his part, the executive director of the CNZFE, Daniel Liranzo, reported that these companies will be dedicated to logistics services activities, manufacturing of paper and plastic articles, manufacturing of electrical components, tobacco processing, recycling, manufacturing of candles and votive candles, among others.
The provinces where the approved parks and companies will be installed are Santo Domingo, San Cristóbal, Santiago, San Pedro de Macorís, La Altagracia and Puerto Plata.
Liranzo emphasized that, with these new approvals, the free zone sector will continue creating more job opportunities for the benefit of the Dominican people.
Historical figures
Liranzo highlighted that, for the first time in the history of the free zones, a record number was reached in job generation, reaching 199,019 direct jobs in the month of September, which places the sector very close to surpassing the goal of 200,000 direct jobs.
The highest concentration of these positions is recorded in tobacco and its derivative activities, call center and BPO services, textile manufacturing, and medical and pharmaceutical products.
Likewise, he highlighted that, between January and September, free zone exports maintained sustained growth, reaching the figure of USD 6,507.7 million. This performance was led by medical and pharmaceutical products (33%), followed by tobacco and its derivatives (14%), electrical and electronic products (13%) and textile manufacturing (11%).
