Ulises Rodríguez, general director of the Center for Industrial Development and Competitiveness (Pro Industria), affirmed yesterday that the free trade zones have shown a growth never seen before in the country, going from 133,000 jobs in the pre-pandemic, to more than 195,000. He said that there is a projection of exceeding 200 thousand jobs this year.
Rodriguez offered the data while giving a conference at Terturama, an entity attended by prominent intellectuals, professionals, and businessmen to learn about topics of high public interest.
He pointed out that “last year alone, exports amounted to 7 billion 833 thousand dollars, something never seen before, with exports representing approximately 63% of the country’s total exports”.
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He added that in the month of May they broke the monthly record with 774 million, 998 thousand, 785 dollars, and explained that after the slump, there are currently more companies installed with a total of 812 operating throughout the country.
Rodriguez pondered that such a rhythm of growth of the free zones generates investments, massive employment, and generation of foreign currency that help us to balance the historical negative trade balance.
The official pointed out that as part of the social benefits generated by the growth, the government, together with the employers and the labor sector, negotiated a 20% increase in the minimum wage in the sector, raising it from RD$13,900 to RD$16,700.
In the case of call centers, he indicated, it ranges between 30 and 40 thousand pesos per month; and of an impact that reaches more than 195 thousand households of those workers and employees of free zones.
“Now, to continue taking advantage of the competitive advantages that free zones have, we need to make the leap that allows us to overcome the challenges of innovation and remain competitive,” he emphasized.
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