Santo Domingo, RD.
Dominican manufacturing reached a 6.5% increase in February this year, compared to last year, when a pandemic had not yet entered, according to Central Bank indicators.
The data were published by President Luis Abinader at the end of the second meeting of the The table of industrialization, in the Green Room of the National Palace, with the full registration of its members, as part of the National Industry Day.
“The local manufacturing industry has surpassed its best figures for 2020, compared to the effects of Covid-19 on the Dominican economy, reaching an increase of 6.5 in February this year, compared to the same date last year, when the pandemic had not yet been affected, “he explained.
He stressed that he adds to this 100% of jobs recovered in the free zone, where more jobs were created than before the pandemic.
“This is in addition to the six consecutive months of this important sector that exposes record export figures in excess of $ 3.165 million during this period, exceeding by almost $ 200 million compared to previous periods.
Job creation
Luis Abinader reported that from August 2020 to April 2021, approximately 45 companies were approved, which generates approximately 6,597 jobs, with an investment of 7,596 million US dollars and foreign exchange income of over 120 million USD.
“It is indeed a great increase in employment, which is essentially the aim of this government’s economic policy. You know that the main goal of this government every day is to create jobs, jobs and jobs, at the same time as we take care of our health “, said Luis Abinader.
I anticipated that in a month they will meet again, to address the issues that allow this increase in employment to continue and solve any problem, on the one hand the public sector and on the other hand the private sector, working hand in hand so that the industry has a place again which the country’s economic development needs.
He reported that next Friday will inaugurate two new companies in the free zone in Santiago Park, among others to be announced soon.
“Wherever jobs are created, we will be there supporting them, both with local industries and with free zones,” he said.
The President stressed that there are still over 40,000 unemployed in the country due to the pandemic, which are part of the Phase 1 program.
“The government has supported, from flexibility in the financial part or loans, and in a much more efficient permit, with the approval of projects in a short time and we implement a greater unit of criteria and actions between government and private sector,” he added he.
He added that the structures are also being improved so that more jobs can be developed.
Social programs
From last August to April this year, the Dominican state has invested more than $ 100 billion in R&D in social programs, associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, the president explained.
He anticipated that the Supérate program would start in May next year, with another 500,000 people and double the social assistance.
“When Supérate starts in May, they will be given direct social assistance, which is double the precovid. This is a huge effort by the government to ensure that poverty does not increase disproportionately, “said Abinader.
It is recalled that during the year the phase and stay at home programs were extended and in both states they delivered more than $ 13,000 million RD.
Job growth
The Minister of Industry and Trade, Víctor Ito Bisonó, explained this 26,000 new jobs were created, with 26 new companies and four industrial parks, in addition to 13 to be approved today.
“Specifically, the areas that have grown up in this pandemic are electricity, tobacco, medical and pharmaceutical products,” he added.
He detailed this electrical products increased by 56.3%, tobacco over 35% and doctors and pharmacists 33%.
Meeting
At the meeting, the confidence of the industrial sector in the actions of the government was highlighted for the recovery of the economy, promoting growth projections of 5.5% this year, above the average of the countries in the region.
In conclave, they also took stock of the action plans promoted for the recovery of the economy and job creation.
Abinader indicated that the goal of this government is to create jobs and assured that for the end of the year, The government plans to close 600,000 new jobs.
Celso Juan Marranzini, President of the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD), said that industrialists are happy to work hand in hand with the Government to find solutions to relaunch the productive sectors of national industry as well as free zones.
Decree
President Luis Abinader issued Decree 588-20, which declared industrialization a National Priority to increase the competitiveness and productivity of the industrial sector.
Mesa
The decree, in turn, creates an industrialization table consisting of public and private actors, chaired by the President and coordinated by the Minister of Industry, Trade and SMEs.
Pilot
Among the precedents set by this collaboration between the public and private sectors, there is a pilot project for the development of suppliers to strengthen the productive chains between local industry and free zones.