Free zone exports are expected to exceed US$9 billion in 2025, US$10 billion in 2026 and the sector will continue to attract investment, promote the transfer of knowledge and technology and create formal jobs.
This was revealed by Claudía Pellerano, new president of the Dominican Association of Free Zones (Adozona), who highlighted that in 2024, the Dominican Republic was the economy that grew the most in Latin America. One of the keys to that growth was exports and 66.5% of that great achievement was due to the free zones, with a value that exceeded US$8,600 million.
She stressed the importance of ensuring competitiveness, respecting the current legal framework and focusing incentives on strategic sectors that will guarantee the sustainability of the model.
When presenting the new Adozona board of directors, Pellerano indicated that they would focus on continuing to position and consolidate the sector. They also intend an ongoing effective participation in the efforts to align the promotion and capture of nearshoring, where it has not yet been possible to capitalize on the country’s full potential.
“In order to continue attracting the companies we back, we will focus on specific areas such as medical devices, electronics, semiconductors and technology services. And we insist, it is important to develop specialized and sustainable infrastructures. As well as making sure we train the technicians and engineers needed for these investments,” she said in her speech at the board of directors’ inauguration.
Pellerano, who is also president of the Ibero-American Association of Free Trade Zones, pointed out that the 92 free zone parks distributed throughout the country have generated opportunities for communities that might otherwise have chosen to emigrate. In addition, the active participation of women in the sector has transformed family and economic dynamics, significantly improving the quality of life in the communities.
The president of Adozona showed the prospects of the sector in 2025 – 2026 and called for collaboration between the Government, universities, technical schools, unions and multilateral organizations to ensure that the Dominican Republic has a new generation of professionals capable of facing the challenges of the future.
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