Key Takeaways
– Exports from the free trade zone sector in the Dominican Republic hit a record US$4.2799 billion in the first half of 2025 and represent the highest-performing source of foreign exchange.
– In June, shipments abroad from the free trade sector reached $771.96 million, a 2.8% increase over the same month in 2024.
– The top export categories from the DR’s free trade zones are medical/pharmaceutical manufacturing, electronics/electrical equipment, and tobacco and cigar production.
Free Trade Zone Sector in the Dominican Republic Is National Export Leader
The free trade zone sector in the Dominican Republic is one of the country’s most productive, innovative, and globally integrated commercial sectors. During the first six months of 2025, exports under the free zone regime reached a record $4.2799 billion. This is further evidence of its growing importance in the country’s foreign exchange earnings. The free trade sector in the Dominican Republic is also a consistent national export leader. June 2025 exports from free trade zones were $771.96 million, 2.8% above the same month in 2024. The first half of 2025 represents one of the strongest export performances on record.
In recent years, government policies and incentives have also focused on improving the sector’s competitiveness, attracting investment, and diversifying access to international markets.
Dominican Republic’s Free Trade Zone Exports: Composition
The fastest-growing and highest-value export categories from the free trade sector in the Dominican Republic are medical and pharmaceutical products. These items represent a plurality of the total value of DR free zone exports. Other leading export categories from the Dominican Republic’s free trade sector include electrical and electronic equipment, textiles, and agribusiness products.
With a wide range of export products now meeting quality standards and production requirements from the U.S. and EU, DR free trade exports are among the most diversified of any nation in the Caribbean.
Main Countries of Destination for DR Free Trade Exports
In addition to a diversified basket of export products, the free trade zone sector in the Dominican Republic is also regionally and globally integrated. For decades, the United States has been the country’s leading trade partner for Dominican exports and a destination for foreign direct investment. This historical relationship has deepened with trade agreements such as the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which eliminated tariffs and simplified customs rules on a variety of goods.
Puerto Rico, the Netherlands, and Haiti are other leading destinations for exports from the free trade sector in the Dominican Republic.
Sector Impact and Government Programs
The Dominican government has invested heavily in creating an enabling environment for export growth in the free trade zone sector. Víctor “Ito” Bisonó, the country’s minister of industry, commerce, and MSMEs, called the DR’s free trade sector a “key generator of foreign exchange and employment.”
He noted that the high volume of exports during the first half of 2025 is “proof of the resilience and productivity of the Dominican manufacturing sector and the success of the public policies implemented to attract investment, enhance competitiveness, and increase access to new markets in the international arena.”
The government’s efforts to attract investment and expand free trade exports are not limited to new economic incentives. In addition to new or updated free trade parks near major ports, airports, and highways, the administration has also emphasized creating a modern infrastructure with the latest in green energy, smart manufacturing, and ESG-compliant operations.
Key Export-Driven Subsectors
Free trade zones in the Dominican Republic are now active in more than 750 companies and across all major export sectors. The most productive subsectors include apparel and textiles, agribusiness and food processing, electrical and electronic components, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, BPO, and information technology services.
Employment and Industrial Zones
Direct employment across the free trade sector in the Dominican Republic is also above 192,000 workers as of the second quarter of 2025. Free trade parks are spread across the entire country and account for over half of the country’s total number of licensed industrial parks.
Industrial and Logistics Hubs
The government’s focus on attracting logistics and manufacturing investment to the Dominican Republic continues with infrastructure upgrades. Industrial parks now in the initial stages of development are near ports, airports, and highways and have high connectivity with companies focused on nearshoring, just-in-time manufacturing, and frequent manufacturing or container shipments.
The Dominican Republic’s seaports, particularly Caucedo and Haina, are among the most modern in the Caribbean. Modernization of Las Américas International Airport and the Northern Corridor are also in progress, providing greater incentives for investors who value streamlined transportation and logistics networks.
Industrial Park Features and Technologies
Industrial park operators have also invested heavily in upgrades to existing sites and the construction of new zones. Sustainable energy sources, smart manufacturing technology, and certified clean-production operations are becoming standard in modern free trade parks to meet global ESG standards.
In addition, new facilities and updated programs in industrial parks are offering more space and resources for R&D, business incubators, vertical farming, and precision agriculture.
Market Challenges and Opportunities
The free trade zone and export sector face several challenges on the national and global stage. International economic contraction, geopolitical risk, and supply chain challenges still have a high degree of uncertainty, and the Dominican Republic’s export-driven sectors must adjust and adapt to the new environment.
Nearshoring to and from the U.S., digital manufacturing, e-commerce fulfillment, and clean tech represent major emerging opportunities for which the Dominican Republic is well-positioned. Geographic proximity to the United States, a modern logistics infrastructure, and a commitment to economic diversification all provide incentives for investors to consider the country as they reassess production and supply chain footprints.
Dominican Republic’s Strategic Vision and Opportunities for Growth
The free trade sector in the Dominican Republic will be one of the cornerstones of the administration’s long-term economic vision. Bisonó has stated that it is part of the country’s industrial, manufacturing, and logistical transformation.
Beyond their current role in generating exports, these industrial parks are expected to become anchors for the country’s efforts to attract high-tech industries and strengthen regional supply chains. Programs like Zona Franca 4.0 are integrating digital technology into free trade operations to ensure competitiveness for the coming phase of global industrialization.
Conclusion: Opportunities in Dominican Republic Free Trade Zone Exports
The performance of the free trade sector in the Dominican Republic during the first half of 2025 and its continued success as the country’s highest-value source of foreign exchange is a reflection of several factors. Improvements in the investment climate, greater international and regional integration of export sectors, and targeted government programs to support this critical sector have contributed to high levels of sustained growth.
Exports from the DR’s free trade zones are also a bellwether for future economic development. The country is on track to strengthen its position as a regional logistics and industrial hub, attract new and existing investors, and drive the next phase of job creation.