President Luis Abinader affirmed that the country is on its way to becoming a “logistics nation”, given the operational improvements and security promoted by the Directorate General of Customs (DGA), with the implementation of technology, which will lead the sector to become an upcoming economic hub.
“The development of the Dominican Republic’s logistics sector generates a direct impact on the quality of life of the population,” said the president during the event ‘Hub RD: the great opportunity of a country that is transforming’.
The head of state highlighted the increase in cargo and maritime, air and cross-border transport flows, which together with the strengthening of our logistics and manufacturing activities led to the country’s trade exchange, with the world, going from USD 30,703 million in 2019 to USD 40,980 million at the close of 2023.
The ruler said that, in 2023 foreign investments reached a value of USD 4,390 million, representing a growth of 45% compared to 2019.
“This remarkable increase is not just an amount; it is evidence of our commitment to attracting foreign capital. Of this figure, 92 % comes from countries in the West, which underscores our influence in the region and the immense potential to further strengthen these ties,” highlighted President Abinader.
He added that currently, according to Central Bank data, the free zone manufacturing sectors leading the way in exports are medical device manufacturing, amounting to US$2.444 billion; electrical products with US$1.173 billion, and textiles with US$930 million.
DGA increased its participation in the Dominican economy
Meanwhile, the general director of Customs, Eduardo Sanz Lovatón, affirmed that the institution he directs has increased its participation in the Dominican economy, from being 18% of the State’s income, to become today close to 25%.
He added that for the first time it exported more than 1 billion dollars more than ten times in a row.
At the event, Lovatón and his team presented the impact of the initiatives implemented in that entity in the national logistics sector.
Also, the deputy director of the DGA, Daniel Peña, presented the “Hub Segment Study”, conducted together with the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR), which served as a reference to prioritize and strengthen certain areas or procedures according to scientific data.
President participates in panel for the 62nd anniversary of Asonahores
Earlier, the President participated in the celebration of the 62nd anniversary of the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores), where a panel called “Past, Present and Future of Tourism in the Dominican Republic” was held, which highlighted the role that incentives have played in the development of this industry in history.
During the event, David Llibre, president of the entity, assured that the tourism sector remains committed to the development of the national productive chain, with different initiatives and joint work with other associations of the business sector, betting that more Dominicans offer more and better goods and services.
The president of Asonahores highlighted that the accumulated foreign direct investment from 2013 to 2023 was USD 8,732 million, presenting a growth of 361 %, being only for the year 2023 of USD 1,182 million, constituting tourism in the fundamental pillar of the Dominican economy, representing by 2022 19% of the GDP directly, indirectly and induced, translating into about USD 22,000 million.
He emphasized that the tourism industry contributes 10% of the country’s fiscal income and generates 18% of total employment, which is equivalent to some 721,912 jobs, changing the lives of thousands of Dominicans.
The event was attended by the president of the Senate, Ricardo de los Santos; the ministers of the Presidency, Joel Santos Echavarría; Administrative of the Presidency (appointed), Andrés Bautista; of Tourism, David Collado; of Public Administration, Sigmund Freud Mena; of Industry and Commerce, Víctor -Ito- Bisonó; of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Álvarez, and of Mescyt, Franklin García Fermín.
Also, the president of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), José Ignacio Paliza; the mayor of the National District, Carolina Mejía; vice admiral Agustín Morillo Rodríguez, commander general of the Dominican Republic Navy; the vice minister of Defense for Naval and Coastal Affairs, vice admiral Ramón Gustavo Betances Hernández, ARD, and the president of the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), vice admiral José Manuel Cabrera Ulloa.
Likewise, the president of the Constitutional Tribunal, Napoleón Estévez; the Legal Advisor of the Executive Branch, Antoliano Peralta; the directors of the Internal Revenue Service (DGII), Luis Valdez; of the Airport Department, Víctor Pichardo; of the IDAC (appointed), Igor Rodríguez; of the JAC (appointed), Héctor Porcella, and of ProDominicana, Biviana Riveiro.
Source:presidencia.gob.do
