Exporters see Dominican Republic as the Caribbean’s ‘supermarket’

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic authorities see the Caribbean as an important market for Dominican products, buoyed by the great potential to increase exports to that region.

But Dominican Exporters Association (Adoexpo) president  Álvaro Sousa, goes further, and aims to turn the Dominican Republic into “the Caribbean’s Supermarket.”

“That’s a dream I’ve had for more than 15 years, when I started exporting to the Caribbean. When I started to visit those countries I saw how products arrived at those islands that bought them in US warehouses and in other countries and from that moment it was something that we wanted,” said Sousa.

The business leader notes however that to achieve it, a broader exportable supply is needed or conditions to consolidate with products from other countries, which, in hisview, has already been achieved.

“Thank God we’re already in that stage of being able to become that and it’s something that should be of great importance for all because if we can make all those countries that now buy in Miami or Puerto Rico, come Dominican Republic to consolidate that freight would obviously help us to diversify exports,” he said.

When asked if the Dominican Republic could meet the Caribbean demand, Sousa said the country has the potential. “Now the conditions are ripe and there are logistics centers that become an important part to consolidate Dominican products with those of other countries and to be able to supply the region through this combination.”

“If those people come to look for product A that’s not manufactured here but we do have it and to consolidate they want product B they bought in Miami, but Dominican produces it, then that becomes an opportunity and there opens a window for exporters.”