@CZFSantiago www.zonafrancasantiago.com
Our story is not a history of the past, but a journey to the future Santiago Free Zone Corporation (CZFS, by its acronym in spanish), founded in 1974, is the first successful model of public/private management, whose mission is to create and attract investment that will generate a higher employment rate and boost the economic and social development of Santiago and the Northern Region. Product of intense effort and passion, CZFS is the leading institution of its kind in the Dominican Republic; it owns and administers the Víctor Espaillat Mera Industrial the Víctor Espaillat Mera Industrial Park (PIVEM), the largest duty-free park in the country. At the heart of the Americas, Dominican Republic links investors with all leading world markets. For decades, the Dominican Republic has been the prime destination for foreign investment in the Caribbean, bridging two of the world s leading markets: the United States and Europe. Its strategic geographical location, its participation in the Western top free-trade agreements, as well as its political and economic stability supported by its justice system that fosters international competitiveness are just some of the advantages that make the Dominican Republic in general and Santiago de los Caballeros in particular the preferred choice for free-trade zones investors. The Dominican Republic is one of the destinations with the highest level of international connectivity. It has eight airports and more than twelve seaports, with entry and exit points in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Santiago has the best access to a majority of these ports, as well as access to the entire country, through a modern highway network, and to the leading world markets through the Cibao International Airport, a project promoted by the Free Zone Corporation of Santiago. 20 minutes away from an International Airport, 3 hours from USA. 1 hour from Puerto Plata Seaport and 2.5 hours from Caucedo and Haina Oriental in Santo Domingo. Access to the United States market in just three days by sea.
Víctor Espaillat Mera Industrial Park (PIVEM) PIVEM is the largest industrial park in the Dominican Republic, with a total built area of 1,200 million m2 and more than 80 companies concentrated in 180 industrial buildings, with a total workforce of 20,000 people. This building complex, 100% dedicated to production and innovation, has its own power substation, wastewater treatment plant, healthcare and dental clinics, pharmacy, network of avenues, streets and sidewalks, closed circuit and electronic monitoring center. PIVEM is home to large international corporations that produce and/or assemble high-tech electronic products, tobacco products, footwear, chocolate, leather goods, jewelry, and textiles, among other sectors. The Park was the first noteworthy investment of the Corporation and remains as its flagship, where companies can find solutions to everything in one place. ] Biggest Free Zone park in the Dominican Republic with more than 40 years of proven experience ]
Centro de Innovación y Capacitación, CAPEX (Professional Innovation Training Center, CAPEX) is the strategic ally of companies and professionals. Focused on developing human talent at all levels organizations, it offers a wide range of result-oriented training in four areas: organizational development, technology, business, and operations. CAPEX also offers international certifications, organizational trouble-shooting (through the Capex Way), coaching, and consulting. It also offers a platform whereby different production sectors of Santiago and the Dominican Republic can meet via events, seminars, and activities that foster development and innovation with current topics of national interest with a global approach. FUNCAPEX is an organization that promotes sustainable strategic development through the provision of management services and the promotion of projects and initiatives for economic, technological, as well as socio-environmental progress in the public and private sectors of the Dominican Republic, particularly in Santiago and the Northern Region. Areas of Action Proposals for Research, Development, Innovation (R&D+I) and initiatives in: Education and Training Industrial production Marketing and Finance Environment and Renewable energies Health Development of Infrastructures
CENTER OF TALENT MANAGEMENT Easy access to highly trained and talented Human Resources CEGESTA is a specialized job-recruitment agency with vast experience in the industrial environment. It aims at providing modern and leading-edge tools and solutions for Human Talent Management by simplifying, optimizing, and monitoring the selection process to find the best candidates. CEGESTA offers solutions for the recruitment process, not only to PIVEM companies, but also to companies from Santiago and the entire Northern Region; this is an advantage that is being used with great success in most countries and multinational companies. C OOPER AT I VA LA AURORA Cooperativa La Aurora ( Aurora Co-op) aims at improving its employees life quality by promoting individual savings, loans, and microcredit services. Founded in 1965 and acquired by the CZFS in 2016, La Aurora has promoted a culture of saving and financial planning to achieve the collective progress of the community.
Projects being promoted in the Region The main objective of the Corporation is to make the city of Santiago sustainable, a model of economic and social development that will attract investment which will benefit the local economy and its inhabitants. This is why the Corporation is developing bold and innovative projects that have contributed to the construction of important buildings focused on the sustainable development of Santiago. Cibao International Airport (STI) STI is the third largest airport of the Dominican Republic in terms of passenger traffic. It is made up of an international terminal, a domestic terminal, and a cargo terminal. It is located 20 minutes from downtown. Santiago Metropolitan Hospital (HOMS) 2000 The institution managed the construction of Cibao Internatonal Airport (STI), which began on February 15, 2000 and was completed two years later. The Foundation of CZFS was the result of its vision of development. The corporation started with 10 companies, which offered employment to a total of 605 people. CZFS supports Plan Sierra through the donation of millions of pesos each year. Opening of the Center for Innovation and Professional Training (CAPEX) to offer training to employees both from the Park and the region. Expansion of the Park through the acquisition of new land to increase the industrial square footge. HOMS is an advanced medical center aimed at maintaining health through a team of experienced professionals. It is a model of innovation and progress in the country's health management system, and has been supported by the Corporation since its inauguration. Plan Sierra It began in 1979 with the following goals of: 1) Preserving and properly using the region s natural resources; 2) Reducing poverty; and 3) Ensuring that families have a active role in their own development. Supported the construction of the Santiago Metropolitan Hospital (HOMS), a high-tech healthcare center, formally opened on March 30, 2006. Construction of the first eco friendly manufacturing building. Creation of FUNCAPEX, the Corporation s management office. 81 companies operating at the PIVEM in 180 buildings, of which 20 are environmentally-fiendly industrial sites. Approximately 20,000 people work at the Park.
Governability Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Active and voluntary contribution for social, economic, and environmental improvement. As a public/private institution, the CZFS is led by a nine-member board of directors, which includes representatives from the leading business associations in Santiago: the Dominican government, the local city council, and two of the country's top private universities. CZFS management, as well as PIVEM s, is oversee by the private sector; lead by its executive president. The main projects that form part of the productive social investment of the CZFS are within the framework of its Corporate Social Responsibility. These projects have made it possible for many people the Park's employees, their families, and nearby communities to benefit from opportunities that support their education, and to give Santiago and the Northern Region a work force that is increasingly specialized and that has the necessary tools to productively participate in the economic system. The CZFS has supported projects of institutions with recognized social action in the fields of Culture, Education, Health, Old Age, Youth, and Childhood. The Corporation has helped Plan Sierra propagate almost two million plants per year and to perform more than 15,000 field tasks annually. Plan Sierra is an institution dedicated to promoting the sustainable management of water, soil, woodland, and biodiversity resources. In six years, the Corporation has provided more than 30 million pesos to support the production of clean water for human consumption, industrial use, and irrigation, as well as other environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration and reduction of greenhouse gases. Members Chamber of Commerce and Production of Santiago, Inc. The Association of Business and Industry Owners of Santiago, Inc. (ACIS). Association for Development (APEDI). Dominican government represented by the National Council of Free Export...Zones (CNZFE). Association of Santiago Free Zones Companies (AEZFS). Association of Manufacturers of the Northern Region, Inc. (AIREN). City Council of Santiago. Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM). Universidad Superior de Agricultura (ISA). Municipalities and recognized entrepreneurs.
Acknowledgements Corporación Zona Franca Santiago (CZFS) was chosen as the best Park in Latin America and the Caribbean, and presented with eight awards for its outstanding entrepreneurial work and strategic plan; it was declared as the best-located industrial free-trade zone of the Caribbean. In 2016, the Capital Finance International journal also recognized the CZFS as the park with the Best-Located Industrial Free Zone of the Caribbean award. This award was given due to its strategic location that allows investors to do business in a prime location that connects with other countries around the world. The CZFS received these awards within the framework of the 2016 Global Free Zone of the Year as a model free zone of the 21st century, which has a positive impact on the sustainability of its environment, thus becoming the standard for working and growing both professionally and economically. The CFI Journal Best located Industrial Free Zone in the Caribbean The FDI Intelligence Journal FDI s Global Free Zones of the Year 2016: Very distinguished as best Free Zone of Latin American and the Caribbean. Very distinguished as best Small/Medium Enterprise Free Zone of Latin..American and the Caribbean. Very distinguished as exemplary Free Zone for Large Tenants. Award for Education and Training. Award for Best Upgrade in Infrastructure.