Government pays RD$194.7M to help Dominican Free Zones

Dominicantoday.com, Santo Domingo , December 6 th 2007

The Hacienda Ministry disbursed RD$194.7 million of the Fund to Preserve and Create Jobs of the Free Zones Sector, in order to contribute to confront the problems which affect its competitiveness.

The check was handed to a Free Zones Association commission, headed by its president Fernando Capellan, by Hacienda minister Vicente Bengoa, who received a report on its current state.

Bengoa said the funds are the first payment as per the decree which stipulates a RD$2,000 monthly transfer for each employee of the free zones, based on their labor market participation, taking their fixed payrolls as reference.

Capellan said the fund will last nine months and aims to stabilize the industry's jobs and to promote an environment that generates new sources of jobs.