President Abinader Highlights Record Jobs and Exports in Free Zones
Free zones are one of the most productive activities contributing to direct employment in the country. As of November 2024, the sector reached a record number of 198,450 direct jobs, with women representing 53% of the total employment, according to President Luis Abinader’s accountability speech.
The president also highlighted the positive impact of the free zones on economic growth and job creation in the Dominican Republic, emphasizing that this sector continues to strengthen as one of the fundamental pillars of national development.
Furthermore, he underscored the strategic role of the sector in foreign trade, stating, “Free zones represent 67% of the country’s export structure, with exports surpassing 8.6 billion dollars in 2024, demonstrating confidence in our economy.”
As part of efforts to decentralize employment and investment, President Abinader announced the expansion of the sector into new regions.
“We have brought jobs to San Juan de la Maguana, opening a free zone for the first time in that province. In the new free zone in San Juan, three agro-industrial warehouses for tobacco processing are already operational, employing 300 workers, and two new warehouses are currently being built, which will allow for the generation of thousands of formal jobs,” said the president.
Additionally, President Abinader highlighted the development of the military industry in the country through the Armería, a free zone that belongs to ProIndustria.
“I announce that we are already preparing for the assembly of armored vehicles, and by the end of April this year, we will be inaugurating a modern military vehicle assembly plant located in San Cristóbal, in the old Armería. This military industry increased its uniform production capacity by 20% in 2024, and for 2025, it is projected to increase by 326%, which will result in a savings of more than 25% of its cost,” explained the president.
The Contribution of ProIndustria
The Industrial Development and Competitiveness Center (ProIndustria), under the leadership of Rafael Cruz Rodríguez, has been a key player in the consolidation of the free zone sector, strengthening the country’s productive infrastructure.
Currently, 163 companies operate in ProIndustria Free Zones, 78 of which are located in Industrial Parks. During the previous administration (2020-2024), 101 new companies were established in Free Zones and 37 in Industrial Parks, strengthening the country’s productive capacity and competitiveness.
So far in the current administration (2024-present), 12 new companies have been added to Free Zones and 2 in Industrial Parks, reflecting the ongoing commitment to attracting investment and generating employment.
The Director-General of ProIndustria, Rafael Cruz Rodríguez, reaffirmed that the institution will continue working to consolidate the growth of the sector.
“Our goal is to continue promoting investment, innovation, and competitiveness in the free zones and industries of the country, ensuring that they remain an engine of economic development and the generation of formal employment,” he highlighted.
The sustained growth of the free zones reaffirms their essential role in the Dominican economy, solidifying their position as one of the main drivers of employment, investment, and exports.
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