Dominican free zones’ 161,257 jobs reveal a most robust sector

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic’s free zones continue being one ofthe economy’s most robust sectors, accounting for as many as 161,257 directjobs in 2015.

The National Free Zone Council’s (CNZFE) latest report saysthere were 5.2% more jobs last year, than the 153,342 in 2014.

CNZFE director Luisa Fernández said the report shows that garmentsand textiles continue to create the most direct jobs, with 44,744, or 27.8% ofthe total.

She said tobacco and derivatives follow, with 25,293 (15.7%);services 22,929 (14.2%); medicine and pharmacists 19,942 (12.4%), and footwearand its components, 18,140 (11.2%).

She said the sector’s exports topped US$5.5 billion during theanalyzed period, or a relative growth of 4.8% compared with the same period in 2014.