Santo Domingo.- Dominican Industries Association (AIRD) president  Manuel Diez Cabral on Wednesday proposed joint efforts to convert the country into an exporter of industrialized and farm goods and services, but note that achieve it, the Government must play its regulatory role, enforce the Electricity Law and complement the offer of “beautiful landscapes” with strong industrialization.

Diez, speaking in the American Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon on the topic “Industry: pillar of development and jobs,” said that the country has been exporting 5% less than 10 years ago, for which exports need to be seen in a more encompassing manner because “if we don’t do so our competitors, as the Americans say, will eat our lunch and force us to wash the dishes.”

He cited as an example the economic models of Taiwan, which has increased its exports 71%, and Korea, with 112%.

Business leaders applaud

Diez’s speech dealt with various topics and drew applause several times, such as when he rejected more taxes on businesses, when he stated that the Electricity Superintendence isn’t independent because its chief’s tenure expired two years ago, when he asked to designate a commission on unfair business practices, and when he demanded the elimination of what in his view is a monopoly in land freight transport.