NewsWhore
03-08-2007, 06:50 PM
Exports, implementation of good environmental practices, and fulfillment of social and taxation responsibilities are the key commitments that should guide the industrial sector in the DR in these days of free trade agreements. The Dominican Association of Industries (AIRD) held its first congress at the Hotel Jaragua this week and discussed the challenges the country faces with the country's entry into DR-CAFTA and the opening up of trade in general. The congress was also an opportunity to discuss the need for the increased competitiveness of Dominican industries and to ask the government to work together with the sector to face future challenges.
During the closing ceremonies President Leonel Fernandez received a bill proposal from the AIRD, which suggests the establishment of a free zone-type tax regime for companies operating in industrial parks. The proposal also calls for the creation of the "Center for Development and Industrial Competitiveness." The Center would take on some of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce's roles and would be responsible for the creation of industrial parks.
AIRD president Manuel Diez Cabral said that DR-CAFTA should be more than a list of signed agreements. Diez said that the DR is seeking to create an export-based economy that is competitive and DR-CAFTA can help this to happen. Cabral also took the opportunity to warn President Fernandez about the way in which the energy crisis will affect business in the country and also spoke of the monopoly that the freight transport companies have in the DR.
Former AIRD president Yandra Portela said that studies show that the fundamental element of a competitive strategy is to make industries more "agile" and pushed the idea of turning the country's geographical location into an advantage for trade.
The manufacturing sector represents 23% of the nation's total GDP, pays the largest amounts of tax and is one of the nation's largest employers. Out of every 100 jobs 15 are in the manufacturing sector, which translates into 2.5 million jobs.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#8)
During the closing ceremonies President Leonel Fernandez received a bill proposal from the AIRD, which suggests the establishment of a free zone-type tax regime for companies operating in industrial parks. The proposal also calls for the creation of the "Center for Development and Industrial Competitiveness." The Center would take on some of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce's roles and would be responsible for the creation of industrial parks.
AIRD president Manuel Diez Cabral said that DR-CAFTA should be more than a list of signed agreements. Diez said that the DR is seeking to create an export-based economy that is competitive and DR-CAFTA can help this to happen. Cabral also took the opportunity to warn President Fernandez about the way in which the energy crisis will affect business in the country and also spoke of the monopoly that the freight transport companies have in the DR.
Former AIRD president Yandra Portela said that studies show that the fundamental element of a competitive strategy is to make industries more "agile" and pushed the idea of turning the country's geographical location into an advantage for trade.
The manufacturing sector represents 23% of the nation's total GDP, pays the largest amounts of tax and is one of the nation's largest employers. Out of every 100 jobs 15 are in the manufacturing sector, which translates into 2.5 million jobs.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#8)