Foreign investment topsUS$7.3B in 3 years, 37% of region

Santo Domingo.- DominicanRepublic Export and Investment Center (CEI-RD) director Jean Alain Rodriguez yesterdaysaid direct foreign investment (FDI) in the country topped US$7.3 billion duringthe last three years, or 37% of the total received by the Caribbean.

He said most of theFDI flowed to retailers, industry, mining and real estate, an average of 57% ofthe country´s total during that period. "The Dominican economy is moredynamic and increasingly diversified, increasing investment in non-traditionaleconomic sectors such as renewable energy, infrastructure and logistics."

Speaking in a workingbreakfast of the young business leaders grouped in ANJE, Rodriguez said around US$67.6million have been invested in exports, which created 40,000 jobs nationwide."And we have a projection of 7,000 jobs this year."

The official added thatexports grew an average of 5% yearly, from US$5.9 billion to US$9.9 billion from2004 to 2014, a jump of 67%.