Santo Domingo.- The extension the World Trade Organization (WTO) gave the country to continue providing incentives for the export free zones sector until 2015, are among the measures obtained by the Government to bolster their competitiveness and growth in 2007.

According to the National Export Free Zones Council (CNZFE), the operations of 99 free zones companies were approved between January and December this year.

It also cites as an important accomplishment the designation of the operators of those parks as non-regulated energy users and the creation of a RD$1.2 billion fund for loans required by companies which operate a free zones, in the areas of textiles and footwear.

CNZFE director Luisa Fernandez cited the case of company T.T.X., of the multinational Hanesbrand, which was set to shutter its operations in Santiago and after the governmental adopted a series of measures decided to remain in the country. "This prevented the loss of more than 1,000 jobs and this company also plans to transfer part of its operations in other countries to this country as, which would represent about 500 additional jobs."