Increasingly, the women-led companies They look for ways to enter the international marketspositioning its brand and contributing significantly to the economy, generating foreign exchange of 2,401.9 million dollars only between January and October of this year.
However, when analyzing the trend of these exports over a longer period, it is observed that most of these sales are intermittent and in low amounts: of the 1,469 exporting companies headed by a woman who exported between 2020 and 202460% traded volumes of less than $10,000 and 15% exported between $10,000 and $50,000.
Only 2% – equivalent to 31 companies– managed to export values that exceeded 10 million dollars, shows the study “Women, connecting with the future”, published yesterday by the Export and Investment Center of the Dominican Republic (ProDominicana).
“This tells us that we have to continue adding much more value, continue building a sustainable path over time and not be left with sporadic exports,” said the executive director of ProDominicana, Biviana Riveiroafter pointing out that 81% of these companies are micro, small and medium-sized, so the support structures for this segment must continue to be strengthened.
The vice president of the Republic agreed with this, Raquel Pena. When attending the sixth National Meeting of Women Exporters – an event that recognizes and promotes female participation in the export sector – she considered that “the important challenges that hinder, day after day, the development of women entrepreneurs in multiple areas.
However, he emphasized that the Government drives public policies that guarantee the equal opportunities.
“We have the firm conviction that development must be inclusive. And thanks to this vision, today we can affirm that Dominican Republic continues to move towards very firm steps towards a fairer economy, but also towards a more innovative economy, with equality of conditions, absolutely for everyone,” he expressed.
Items and markets
During the 2024the women-led companies they exported more than 1,000 tariff linesbeing the raw gold the item with the highest value, with 1,461 million dollars in that period, followed by other products such as:
- cocoa beans (119.1 million)
- copper ores ($116.4 million)
- bananas (105 million)
- jewelry ($77.6 million)
- soybean oil ($35.1 million).
Swissthe India and USA were the top three markets these products went to last year, with $742 million, $626.8 million, and $163 million, respectively.
Contributions to the economy
These companies have contributed to boosting the Dominican economy both through sales and purchases generated, such as through their contributions to the treasury and with the generation of well paying jobs.
The study cites data from the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII) that report that the sales of export companies led by women reached 325,411.6 million last year alone, for an increase of 18% compared to the 276,359.9 million pesos exported in the last year. 2023.
Meanwhile, purchases from other economic sectors They totaled the 153,254 millionfor an increase of 9.9% in relation to the purchases of the 2023which were 139,322.5 million pesos.
Likewise, the taxes collected To these ventures were added the 34,279.4 millionrepresenting an increase of 37% when compared to the contributions of the 2023which totaled 25,069 million pesos.
Job creation has also maintained a stable behavior. The most recent data shows the creation of 23,580 jobs on average during the second quarter of 2025, with salaries that averaged 51,595.65 pesos in that period.
During the event, the trajectory and performance of companies led by women that have promoted the internationalization of the Dominican exportable offer was recognized.
In the “Pro-leadership” category, the company Laboratorio Capilo Español was recognized, while in “Pro-internationalization” the Tabacalera El Artista was awarded.
While in the “SME Pro-performance” category, the company Frutas y Vegetales Micardi was recognized.
