The General Directorate of Customs (DGA) reported this Sunday that, together with the main players in the logistics sector, it joins forces with the aim of turning the country into a hub international air cargo, which represents the most dynamic form of commercial exchange between countries.
The collecting entity held a meeting with the main exporting companies, free zones, airport operators, airlines and cargo handlers in the country, to motivate them to exploit the advantages of importing and exporting merchandise by air, a press release refers.
For this, a technical table was formed, with representatives of the entire logistics sector, to achieve synergy between the Public and Private Sectors.
“During the workshop held at the DGA facilities, technicians from the institution and experts in cargo storage and transportation, as well as representatives of airlines and airports, analyzed the main challenges and advances in terms of air connectivity, to and from the Dominican Republic and, in turn, the advantages of transporting merchandise through this route,” said the entity.
Director of Customs, Eduardo Sanz Lovatoncited that the entity’s capacity for cargo movement is a strength that must be exploited at its maximum level.
“As an institution we have put our commitment and effort so that the hub logistics is a reality, we are identifying the best market opportunities for the country through the segment study of the Hub”, indicated Sanz Lovatón.
He highlighted that, currently, more than 60% of the air cargo in the world is transported in the holds of passenger planes, which represents a great opportunity for the Dominican Republic, due to the frequency of 200 international flights registered by airports in the country.
Among the statistics presented, the official highlighted that, during 2022, the country registered an average of 400 daily airport operations and 121,522 tons of cargo mobilized by air with an FOB value of that merchandise of US$6.615 million.
Last year, 1,258 tons of merchandise transited through Dominican airports, for a total of 4,510 in the last five years.
Meanwhile, the companies showed the strategies they have used to achieve this business model, supported by the high air connectivity that the country has, and the offer of air services to be able to reach their customers anywhere, quickly, efficient and at a competitive cost.
“Anyone who intervenes in the logistics area must be allying to achieve the same objective… Having a hub that offers important connections generates opportunities”, highlighted Paco Ortega, vice president for Central America and South America of the ECS Group.
The event is part of the actions carried out by the DGA to turn the Dominican Republic into a hub World class regional logistics.
At the meeting, three panels were presented with the topics: “Direct Air Distribution from the Dom. Rep.”, “Key Points to compete as hub Air Service of the Region” and “Role of the Authorities to Promote the Hub Cargo Air.”
Representatives of the companies Spirit, Boombah Dominicana SRL, Resonance, Mustad, FedEx, UPS and DHL, Caribe Cargo, CaribeTrans, Lift Cargo, Aerodom and Grupo Punta Cana participated in the panels.
Also entities such as the National Drug Control Directorate, Civil Aviation Board, Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation, Specialized Airport Security Corps, Airport Department, American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic, Animal Health and Plant Health.
