He National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP) gave special recognition to Yayo Sanz Lovatón for his transformative management at the head of the General Directorate of Customs (DGA)highlighting its direct contribution to strengthening the competitiveness and economic development of the Dominican Republic. The event was led by the president of CONEP, Celso Juan Marranzini, who praised the institutional modernization achieved under the leadership of Sanz Lovatón, with emphasis on operational efficiency and transparency of customs processes.
Sanz Lovatón, current Minister of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM), thanked him for the distinction and reaffirmed his commitment to transferring the vision of agility executed in the DGA to his new ministerial responsibility. He stressed that the achievements in Customs, such as the implementation of the 24-Hour Clearance (D24H) program, which facilitated the departure of more than 39,000 containers and benefited more than 6,000 importers, the installation of X-rays in the country’s ports and the modernization of the Customs Law, which constitute the roadmap for its current goals.
The head of the MICM announced that the innovations that boosted foreign trade will be replicated to strengthen key sectors. Among its priorities are the simplification of processes for MSMEs, the promotion of the semiconductor industry, the strengthening of free zones and the promotion of the orange economy, under the premise of consolidating the country as an attractive ecosystem for high-value investment.
During his speech, the minister analyzed the national economic situation, emphasizing the Goal 2036 and the need for sustained growth. When referring to the regional panorama, he stated: “In recent years, the Dominican Republic has positioned itself among the best in the business.” Likewise, he projected an optimistic climate for foreign investment, supported by efficient budget execution for 2026 and transparent planning.
The official emphasized the importance of supporting the private sector and addressing global challenges with a strategic vision, such as tariffs in key markets, using Dominican political stability as the main competitive advantage for attracting capital.
For its part, Celso Juan Marranzini He reiterated that the Sanz Lovatón administration marked a milestone in the country’s logistical modernization, shielding the national economy from complex international challenges.
The members of the CONEP Board of Directors were present at the meeting, which brought together the country’s business leadership: Celso Juan Marranzini (President), César Dargam (Executive Vice President), Julio V. Brache, Lina García de Blasco, Christopher Paniagua, Luis José Bonilla, Lucile Houellemont, Juan Bancalari, Rosanna Ruiz, Carlos Iglesias, Manuel Pozo Perelló, Raúl Rizek, Jaak Rannik, Paola Rainieri, Carlos Guillermo León, Carlos Cueto, Rafael Izquierdo, Eduardo Cruz, Luis Álvarez, Fernando Villanueva, Mercedes Ramos and the economic advisor José Gior Ariza.
