The Dominican Association of Free Zones (Adozona) reported that 2022 closed as the best year in the history of that sector in the Dominican Republic, in terms of export value, number of companies installed and free zone parks in operations.
The president of Adozona, Luis José Bonilla, highlighted the recovery that free zones in the country over the last two years, as well as the climate of investment confidence that the country presents.
He also warned about the challenge the country faces to keep control over the costs of operations in order to remain competitive with other countries in the region.
“In 2022, we had a record year in which we reached almost 8,000 million dollars in exports, with 785 companies in operations and 84 free zone parks, figures never seen before and we exceeded the barrier of 190,000 direct jobs for the second time in history,” Bonilla said.
The businessman added that “these figures should encourage us to continue working hand in hand with the public and private sectors, to maintain control over operating costs in the country, so that it allows us to remain competitive with the countries of the region and that we continue to attract foreign investment.”
He also commented that according to the figures offered by the General Directorate of Customs (DGA), exports from free zones closed 2022 with a growth close to 10%, since at the end of November the figure was 9.5% and in terms of jobs, according to the National Council of Free Zones, with 192,000 direct jobs, which exceeds 2021 by almost 10 thousand more jobs.
In addition, he said that about 80 new free zone companies were approved, foreseeing that these new facilities alone will account for some 17,000 new jobs in the sector during 2023.
“And the most important thing is the diversification of the production matrix we are seeing in our parks,” said Bonilla, who added that “we see how more and more technology companies come to settle in the Dominican Republic, and how, thanks to the strategy we have deployed hand in hand with government and private sector, we are managing to attract new and different companies by availing of the nearshoring effect,” he indicated.
Capacity
The entity believes that the Free Zones is the sector with the greatest capacity to generate new formal jobs, and that is why it should be a national priority to maximize the use of the conditions presented by the world market, characterized by the process company relocations in the region and the consolidation of value chains near large export markets.
Source:
Listín Diario
