Dominican Republic Celebrates National Free Zones Day: A Strategic Hub for Global Manufacturing and Innovation
With nearly 200,000 formal jobs generated and over US$8.6 billion in annual exports reaching more than 140 countries, the free zone has become a cornerstone of the Dominican Republic's export-driven economy. The country exports a wide variety of products including medical devices, electrical and electronic devices, tobacco, jewelry, textiles, footwear, services, added value logistics, positioning itself as a trusted global supplier.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Canada News.Net
20 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
Other countries gain as US limits international student enrolment
LONDON, U.K.: As the Trump administration ramped up pressure on U.S. colleges to reduce their reliance on international students, while tightening immigration rules and adding more scrutiny for foreign applicants, other countries began to see an opportunity. The U.S. government sparked outrage in the spring by targeting international students who took part in pro-Palestinian protests. Some were threatened with deportation, and the legal status of thousands of international students was suddenly revoked — in some cases over minor infractions like traffic tickets. These moves added to the growing sense of uncertainty among international students in America. Although the U.S. is still a top destination for higher education, many students are now seriously looking at other countries they may not have considered before. This shift could have lasting consequences for American universities and the broader economy. One sign of the trouble is that long visa delays in China have led many students to give up on studying in the U.S. entirely. Universities in Hong Kong report a rise in transfer requests from international students currently enrolled in the U.S., while the U.K. has seen a surge in applications for undergraduate programs. According to a study by NAFSA, an organization that promotes global education, international enrollment in the U.S. could fall by 30 to 40 percent this fall. That would result in an estimated US$7 billion loss to the American economy. Many international students pay full tuition, so their absence also creates financial strain for colleges. Britain, the second-most popular country for international education, stands to gain. Even as the new Labour government vows to tighten immigration and limit the length of time foreign graduates can stay and work, admissions experts say the U.K. is still seen as the most welcoming among the four major English-speaking destinations: the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and Australia. Recent numbers back this up. Undergraduate applications from international students to U.K. universities rose 2.2 percent this fall after a drop last year. Applications from China grew 10 percent, and U.S. applications hit nearly 8,000 — a 14 percent rise and the highest in 20 years. Graduate school acceptances from international students also climbed by about 10 percent, especially in business and management programs, according to UniQuest, a firm that works with British universities. Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, said it will take until the fall to get a clear picture of how significant the shift really is. But already, he said, "the American brand has taken a massive hit — and the U.K. is the one that is benefiting." In Asia, demand from Chinese students is growing fast for universities in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, said Will Kwong of AAS Education, a Hong Kong-based consultancy. Many Western universities have offshore campuses in these regions that are less expensive and easier to access than studying in the U.S. or U.K. Kwong added that some Asian families no longer see the U.S. as their automatic first choice due to the political climate and visa troubles. Many students are still waiting for U.S. visa interviews and are likely to miss the start of the fall semester. Still, some remain hopeful. Alisa, a Chinese undergraduate studying data science, plans to attend an exchange program this fall at the University of California, Berkeley. Despite the growing difficulties, she hopes to stay on for a master's degree in the U.S. But she is also looking into other options, "just so I could still go to school if the extreme scenario occurs," said Alisa, who spoke on condition of partial anonymity out of fear of being targeted.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Filling the U.S. gap
Opinion It's been just more than six months since Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MLL) was directed by the provincial government to pull all U.S. alcohol from store shelves in response to tariffs threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump. With many other provinces following suit, and other countries dialing back imports of U.S. alcohol owing to similar tariffs (or threats of tariffs), producers south of the border have been feeling the pain. A recent chart by the American Association of Wine Economists (yes, that is a thing) shows U.S. wine exports to Canada, the largest export market for American wine, fell in value by 72.5 per cent between March 2024 and March 2025, was down 93.2 per cent year-over-year between April of 2024 and 2025 and 97.2 per cent between May of last year and this year. In May 2024, the export value of U.S. wine exports was US$34.3 million — this year in the same month it was just US$960,000. Spirits producers haven't been immune to the effects of Canada turning off the taps on American booze, with a number of distilleries, particularly those making bourbon, filing for bankruptcy. A recent story by the Drinks Business magazine on the troubles in bourbon country cites a number of factors in producers' troubles, including a change in preferences among younger drinkers (in both products and quantity) and, you guessed it, the fallout from tariffs (either implemented or threatened). Canada is (or was, at least) the second-largest export market for American spirits. Yes, you can still buy American wines at some of Winnipeg's private wine stores — they've got stock purchased before the 2024 U.S. election, bought before Manitoba's decision to stop ordering American alcohol. But for those who'd prefer to keep elbows firmly up, there are some tasty options out there that will fill in quite nicely for the missing U.S. booze. Here are three whites and a trio of reds that fit the bill… Quails' Gate Field & Flight Chardonnay Quails' Gate Field & Flight Chardonnay The Quails' Gate 2023 Field & Flight Chardonnay (California/B.C. — $25.99, Liquor Marts and beyond) actually features fruit sourced from vineyards in California (pre-Trump) and crafted in B.C. in response to brutal winter temperatures in the Okanagan Valley that killed many vines and left the future of many area wineries in the lurch. It's pale straw in colour and offers ripe pear, red apple and subtle peach notes, with a secondary floral and vanilla/spice component that's pretty. On the dry, light-plus bodied palate there's a solid helping of ripe tree fruit (apple, peach and pear), with a lemon candy note that comes with medium acidity, a touch of viscosity and a hints of spice on the medium-length finish (it's 13.5 per cent alcohol). 3.5/5 Radford Dale 2023 The Winery of Good Hope Unoaked Chardonnay Radford Dale 2023 The Winery of Good Hope Unoaked Chardonnay The Radford Dale 2023 The Winery of Good Hope Unoaked Chardonnay (Stellenbosch, South Africa — around $22, private wine stores) is a solid option for those who miss ripe California Chardonnay but aren't crazy about big oaky flavours. Pale gold in colour, it brings beautiful baked apple, peach, lemon candy, apricot and spice notes, all unencumbered by barrel influence. It's dry and light-plus bodied, offering bright, fresh red apple and peach notes along with marmalade and spice, a lemony note that comes with the moderate acidity and, at 13.5 per cent alcohol, a decently lengthy finish. An exceptional value — available at The Winehouse, Ellement Wine + Spirits and Kenaston Wine Market. 4/5 Torres Gran ViñaSol Chardonnay on Lees Torres Gran ViñaSol Chardonnay on Lees The Miguel Torres 2023 Gran ViñaSol Chardonnay on Lees (Catalunya, Spain — $17.99, Liquor Marts and beyond) is an organic, vegan Chardonnay (with about 15 per cent Parellada grapes) aged on lees — the spent yeast cells which did the work of converting the sugar inthe grapes to alcohol. The wine's medium gold in colour and aromatically brings ripe red apple and pear as well as floral, bread dough and peachy notes. It's medium-plus bodied, viscous and dry, with the lees aging (and maybe some oak and malolactic fermentation) adding fantastic texture that highlights the ripe apple and pear flavours as well as the secondary peach notes. Hints of lemon and vanilla lurk in the background, and the 13.5 per cent alcohol is unobtrusive. Surprisingly complex for the price, and very well done. 4.5/5 Santa Ema 60/40 Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenère Santa Ema 60/40 Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenère On the red wine side of things, the name of the Santa Ema 2022 60/40 Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère (Maipo Valley, Chile — $16.99, Liquor Marts and beyond) denotes the split of grapes in this Chilean red blend; aromatically it brings together eucalyptus, blackcurrant, plum, dark chocolate and violet notes. It's dry and full-bodied, with the herbal/eucalyptus notes bringing a touch of bitterness to the tannins that surround the ripe plum and blackcurrant flavours, while a hint of vanilla (from 6-8 months in barrel) lingers with the medium-length finish (it's 13.5 per cent). 3/5 Dirty Laundry Cabernet Sauvignon Dirty Laundry Cabernet Sauvignon The Dirty Laundry 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon (British Columbia — $29.99, De Nardi Wines) is 90 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon and 10 per cent Merlot, with fruit sourced from both the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys. It's bright cherry in colour, delivering cassis, plum, violet, earth and dark chocolate aromas. On the dry, medium-plus bodied palate it's ripe and juicy, with cassis, blueberry and plum flavours coming with a subtle bell pepper note, hints of white pepper, medium tannins and, at 13.5 per cent alcohol, a slightly warm finish. The 15 months the wine spent in barrels before bottling contributes to the structure here. Available at De Nardi Wines. 4/5 Penny's Hill 2022 Cracking Black Shiraz Last but not least, the Penny's Hill 2022 Cracking Black Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia — $29.99, Liquor Marts and beyond) is inky purple in colour, with a pronounced black cherry note on the nose of this Aussie Shiraz along with lacquer, plum, cassis, iron and earthy notes which show well. It's dense, full-bodied and ripe, with red cherry, blackberry and cassis flavours along with secondary raspberry, black tea, mocha and spice notes, the latter three in large part thanks to 14 months in French oak barrels. Tannins are moderately grippy, while the 14.5 per cent alcohol provides warmth and length. Drink now after letting it sit in the glass for 15-20 minutes, or set aside for 2-3 years. 4.5/5 uncorked@ @bensigurdson Ben SigurdsonLiterary editor, drinks writer Ben Sigurdson is the Free Press's literary editor and drinks writer. He graduated with a master of arts degree in English from the University of Manitoba in 2005, the same year he began writing Uncorked, the weekly Free Press drinks column. He joined the Free Press full time in 2013 as a copy editor before being appointed literary editor in 2014. Read more about Ben. In addition to providing opinions and analysis on wine and drinks, Ben oversees a team of freelance book reviewers and produces content for the arts and life section, all of which is reviewed by the Free Press's editing team before being posted online or published in print. It's part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Canada News.Net
a day ago
- Canada News.Net
Apple boosts US investment to $600 billion, Trump touts win on tariffs
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump announced that Apple will invest an additional US$100 billion in the United States, potentially helping the tech giant avoid new tariffs on iPhones and other products. The new commitment brings Apple's total planned U.S. investment to $600 billion over the next four years. Earlier this year, the company had pledged $500 billion and the creation of 20,000 new jobs. Trump said the latest move reflects his push to bring global companies "back home." "Companies like Apple, they're coming home. They're all coming home," he told reporters, shortly after Apple CEO Tim Cook presented him with a U.S.-made souvenir. "This is a significant step toward the ultimate goal of ensuring that iPhones sold in America also are made in America," Trump added. Cook said many iPhone components, such as semiconductors, Face ID modules, and glass, are already made domestically, but acknowledged that full assembly "will remain overseas for a while." Though sizable, Apple's new pledge mirrors its past spending patterns and echoes commitments made during both the Biden administration and Trump's first term. In May, Trump threatened Apple with a 25 percent tariff on overseas-made products, reversing earlier exemptions on electronics. The trade war with China has already cost Apple $800 million in the June quarter alone. "Today is a good step in the right direction for Apple, and it helps get on Trump's good side after what appears to be a tension-filled few months," said Daniel Ives, analyst at Wedbush Securities. Apple's follow-through on past promises has faced scrutiny. A Texas plant Cook toured with Trump in 2019 had been producing computers since 2013 and has since shifted production to Thailand. Despite political pressure, analysts say assembling iPhones in the U.S. remains impractical due to high labor costs and complex global supply chains. "The announcement is a savvy solution to the president's demand," said Nancy Tengler, CEO of Laffer Tengler Investments. Partners in Apple's new U.S. investment push include Corning, Applied Materials, Texas Instruments, GlobalFoundries, Broadcom, and Samsung. Apple said Samsung will supply chips from its Texas plant, while GlobalWafers will also provide silicon wafers from Texas. Apple shares closed up five percent on August 6. Corning gained nearly four percent in extended trading, and Applied Materials rose almost two percent.
