Free zone exports hit $814.7 million for the first time in May

Santo Domingo – The Dominican Free Zone continues to break records, with exports reaching an all-time high in May, totaling US$814.7 million, 2.7% higher than the milestone reached in April this year; according to records from the General Customs Administration.

Daniel Liranzo, executive director of the National Export Free Zones Commission, highlighted the extraordinary performance of the sector’s production (measured in exports) in the first five months of 2024.

Likewise, he stressed the growing diversification of the sector’s export products, highlighting the performance of the jewellery sector, with exports growing by 14.7% in January-May 2024 compared to January-May 2023; similarly, paperboard, printing and stationery activities (27.1%); metals and articles thereof (5.5%); and agro-industrial products (3.6%).

Likewise, Liranzo highlighted the good performance of traditionally dominant export sub-sectors such as medical and pharmaceuticals, with exports increasing by 16.7% in January-May 2024 compared to January-May 2023; tobacco and its derivatives (8.9%); plastic products (3.6%); among others.

Finally, Lilanzo highlighted the great efforts made by the Dominican Government, led by President Luis Abinader, through the development of measures and initiatives in support of free zones, such as the creation of the Presidential Cabinet for Export Development; the Zero Bureaucracy Program; and the Industrialization Program aimed at strengthening the productive sector, which has had a positive impact on the dynamism of the sector.