NewsWhore
04-17-2007, 06:50 PM
A study carried out by the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development lists a series of challenges that the Free Trade Zones have had to confront over the last few years. The good news is that electricity costs for many FTZ parks have declined because they have been granted non-regulated consumer status, being able to connect directly to transmission lines and source power at lower costs. But the report also reveals that competition from Asia, the slowdown in the US economy and an increase in services sourced by the FTZs have affected the competitiveness of the local manufacturing plants. The FTZs, for instance have been affected by a 35% increase in domestic cargo transport costs. Customs tariffs are also an increased burden. In the DR, Customs charges US$100 per freight container while Customs in Central American countries charge between US$50-75 per container. The report says that if FTZs are to survive, the government should provide them with more support.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)