Due to strong competition from Asian countries and elimination of textile quotas have caused a decline in textile exports by 17% from the Dominican Republic to the United States during this year’s first semester.

Competition has also lowered international prices, affecting not only local manufacturers but even many Central American countries leading to various enterprises in the country to stop manufacturing. In the Dominican Republic operational costs are extremely high, due to high energy and fuel costs and the dollar exchange rate is an added disadvantage factor.

Textiles manufacturers should, therefore, focus on areas that are more beneficial and with the aid from government must take measures that can improve competitiveness in order to avoid further closing of business, culminating to further loss in jobs.