The general director of the Center for Industrial Development and Competitiveness (Proindustria), Ulises Rodríguez, said yesterday that industries in the Dominican Republic are experiencing great growth.
During a visit to Listín Diario, Rodríguez said that this sector went from having a timid demand to a huge demand, due to the economic, political and social stability that prevails in the country, aspects that place it in a good position internationally.
He emphasized that with the Covid-19 pandemic and the container crisis, the supply chain was interrupted, which meant that many companies operating in China could not supply the regional, European and American market.
He said that, despite this scenario, the country continued to produce, opted to purchase vaccines early on, while marketing products to developed nations through the free zone system.
“That meant that a number of companies that had shrunk begin to arrive in DR, while others expanded. It was then we realized that something was happening, add to that the appreciation of the peso against other currencies,” Rodríguez said.
Given this context, Rodríguez said that so far, about 300 applications have been registered for industrial warehouses in free zones and other industries outside this scheme, to be used for the manufacture of agricultural products, textiles, medical devices, expendable materials, electrical switches and cocoa goods, all of which with export capacity.
He said that when he came into office, there were only about 12 such applications.
Actions
Rodriguez said that Proindustria contacts other parks that can offer spaces to set up manufactures, while channeling other areas from that institution.
In addition, he stressed that they recovered 40 warehouses, expanded and built new ones, such as the two 1,600m2 warehouses and the land to develop the infrastructure of the warehouses is about 107,000 m2, to be built in the free zone in San Juan de la Maguana province, with a projected investment of approximately RD $ 95 million, where the groundbreaking ceremony was held last Sunday, August 25.
Reopening
The official said that three free zone parks reopened in the last two years, like the one in the municipality of Salcedo, which had been closed for 14 years, as well as in Cotuí and La Vega with the purpose of managing and serving them.
He recalled that altogether 18 of these industrial areas operate throughout the country.
Almost 200,000 jobs
According to information, 191,315 direct jobs have been created in this sector as of August 2022, with a view to increasing that number with the introduction of other free zones in the country.
The development institution recently began renovating the industrial park in the San Francisco de Macorís free zone, where 3,000 jobs will be created.
Park has 10 industrial warehouses
Industrias San Miguel del Caribe (ISM), Nova Textil and Macorís Shoes operate here, creating about 180 direct jobs.
Rodríguez stressed that there are a total of 3,335 industrialists in the country, and that they are increasingly integrated, so they enjoy the incentives of Law 392-07 on Competitiveness and Industrial Innovation.
This is due to the impact of Decree 31-22, mainly on 18 public institutions which the Government instructed to prioritize micro, small and medium industries in the purchasing and contracting processes of some State institutions.
It should be noted that Proindustria serves as a regulatory and representative entity of all projects, plans and measures in this sector, with the character and responsibility necessary, making it truly and effectively competitive.
The director of Proindustria visited Listín Diario in the company of the executives, José Carlos Guerrero, César Almonte, Ilonka Acosta and Yarisabel Marmolejos.
Industrial diversification
The industrial park of DR is diversified and not limited to the manufacture of textile products.
Legislation
With the approval of the Proindustria law, the modernization and renewal of the country’s industrial sector is encouraged.
Regulation
Registered industries may receive the incentives provided by law.
Source:
Listín Diario
