President Luis Abinader expressed this Monday that the free zone sector has generated 200,000 new direct formal jobs in only four years, and that in May there has been a record in exports for USD 813 million.
Likewise, he stated that, to date, 1,800 items have been exported to more than 143 countries around the world.
Regarding the records in accumulated investment, there was a relative growth, according to the head of state, of 44.5 %, being in 2020 of 5,189 and by 2023, of 7,496.
These declarations were offered by the President during the LA Semanal con la Prensa, in Las Cariátides hall of the National Palace, where the subject of the free trade zones was discussed, which is considered “the factory of jobs”.
Jobs
On the subject of direct jobs, the President pointed out that they have reached the highest level in all history, since in June 2020 there were only 119,974 and by June 2024 there are 198,466 direct jobs, for a 65.4%. “More than 78,492 new direct formal jobs in just four years.”
Young workforce
The governor said that in this line, the average age of young employees in free zones is 32 years old, 53% of the total direct jobs are for women.
93,903 are men and 104,131 are women. 56,000 are women who are heads of household, with income coming from free trade zones.
Half a million jobs
The head of state explained that almost half a million jobs is the total employment impact. More than 198,000 direct jobs are generated in the free trade zones and 251,200 new jobs in the labor market.
Historic milestone
A historic milestone has been achieved for this sector, with 41% in two wage increases and that 35% of the positions are at the technical and administrative level, by the end of 2023.
Exports
Regarding this aspect, he pointed out that in 2019 there were exports from the free zone sector of 6,273 million dollars, while in 2023 it was 8,052 million dollars, having an unprecedented growth of 28.36 %.
67.2 % of the total exported by the country in the first half of 2024 belongs to the sector.
Growing diversification
In this regard, he said that the country is evolving towards more specialized goods and services, contributing to make the country less vulnerable to fluctuations in fuel prices.
Strengthening local industry
From 2020 to 2023, local purchases increased by 62.5 %. In 2020 they were 83,077, while in 2023 they were 135,050.
Operations
Free trade zone operations were present in 28 of the 32 provinces, with an increase of 16% in the number of parks in operation. In 2020, there were 75 parks and 692 companies, while in 2023 there are 87 parks and 820 companies.
Approvals in this administration
During the administration of President Luis Abinader, 315 new companies were created in the free zone sector.
Ito Bisonó
For his part, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Víctor (Ito) Bisonó, pointed out that free zone companies generate more than 10 times the employment of a traditional company.
Each direct job produces 2.5 indirect jobs, “which means that the free zone system reaches 700,000 Dominicans who have how to carry the bread of sustenance with dignity.”
Source:presidencia.gob.do
