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From the General Coordinator's Desk

As this year comes to an end, I want to thank each and every one of you for your effort, dedication, and ongoing commitment, which have been crucial to the achievements we celebrate in 2024. This year has been marked by significant progress in various areas, and I am pleased to share with you, through this newsletter, a summary of our key activities.

Among the milestones we highlight are our successful initiatives of talks and plant tours for young students, collaborations with higher education institutions and technical studies, and support for productive linkages to strengthen the value chain. We have also made significant strides in promoting the sector’s attributes through various national and international forums.

This newsletter reflects not only what we have achieved, but also the shared vision that drives us to move forward with the conviction that collaboration is key to collective success. Without a doubt, our joint efforts have been the driving force behind these advances, and for that, I want to reiterate my sincere gratitude for your continuous commitment and effort.

We look ahead to 2025 with optimism and certainty that, as a Cluster, we are prepared to seize the growth opportunities that will arise. I am confident that, with the same spirit of cooperation and determination, we will continue to develop innovative solutions that will benefit both the industry and society as a whole.

I wish you a new year filled with achievements, new projects, and continuous professional and business growth.

Thank you for being a fundamental part of this successful year and what is yet to come!

With gratitude and best wishes, 

Diana Báez  

General Coordinator, Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals Cluster

The Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals Cluster (CDMF) of ADOZONA recognized Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) for its outstanding contribution to the training of specialized talent in key areas such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In the 1st edition of its "Recognition to Academia," CDMF highlights INTEC as a benchmark for educational quality in preparing professionals for the medical devices and pharmaceuticals sector.

This award was granted as a result of the 2024 graduate quality survey, conducted among the leading universities and technical institutes in the country, and based on the evaluation of human resources departments from the cluster's member companies. This rigorous selection underscores the impact and quality of INTEC's work in training key professionals for the industry.

Medical device exports from Free Zones in the Dominican Republic reached 2.49 billion dollars in 2023, accounting for more than 31% of the total shipment value from these zones.

Additionally, in terms of employment, the 40 companies dedicated to the manufacturing of medical devices generated 32,358 jobs, with an impressive 67.6% of these positions filled by women.Ver más

The Dominican Republic is on the brink of a significant advancement in its industrial sector. This was highlighted by the Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Mipymes (MICM), Víctor Bisonó, who announced an 80 million dollar investment from the Israeli company Elcam Medical, which plans to establish a manufacturing plant in the country.

The event was attended by the Ambassador of Israel to the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean, Raslan Abu Rukun, and senior executives from Elcam Medical, including its CEO, Guli Kohn, and Supply Chain Manager, Eli Tsso.More

The Dominican Republic continues to strengthen its position as a key player in the global medical device market, consolidating its role as a leader in the Central American and Caribbean region. Official records show that in 2023, medical device exports from Dominican Free Zones reached 2.49 billion dollars, representing over 31% of the total shipment value from these areas.

This figure not only highlights the importance of the sector but also reflects the country's capacity to compete in highly demanding international markets.More

With the aim of presenting the various opportunities within the medical devices and pharmaceuticals sector in the Dominican Republic, we participated alongside the National Free Zones Council in MD&M West and MEDICA, B2B trade fairs for medical devices that connect leading companies in medical technology and manufacturing, as well as pharmaceutical products.



Dariana Lorenzo, Project Manager at ADOZONA, participated at the Dominican Republic Free Zones country stand, sharing the attributes of the free zones sector and the benefits within the Clúster de Dispositivos Médicos y Farmacéuticos.

Members of the Medical Devices & Pharmaceuticals Cluster and its board participated in the conference "Mujer y Zonas Francas - Una mirada desde la Sostenibilidad," an initiative within the framework of the Sustainability Lecture "Alejandro E. Grullón E.," organized by Gildan and the Pontificia Universidad Madre y Maestra, in collaboration with ADOZONA, Fundación Popular, PNUD, and the Ministerio de la Mujer.

This event highlighted women's leadership within the free zone sector, discussed perspectives on public policies for women, and presented tools to further promote women's leadership in one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in the Dominican Republic.

In collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAMDR), we participated in the AMCHAMDR Talks: Challenges and Opportunities of Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals in the Dominican Economy.

On this occasion, Diana Baez, Coordinator of the Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical Cluster (CDMF), participated as the main speaker of the event, highlighting the development of the medical device sector over the years, as well as the current challenges facing the industry and the achievements of the Cluster since its foundation

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Additionally, Omar Jiménez, former coordinator of the Cluster, participated in the panel on the challenges and opportunities of the medical device and pharmaceutical industry at the local level, emphasizing the need for education and technical-professional training in the sector to continue its development in the country, as well as the opportunities for value chain integration within the free zones sector.

Representatives from the CDMF participated in the "Benchmarking Assessment of Industry Policy, Investment Promotion, and Free Zones in the Dominican Republic," an initiative in collaboration between USAID and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Mipymes.

This event focused on highlighting opportunities to improve the competitiveness of free zones, particularly in high-tech sectors. Additionally, key strategies were shared for the development of suppliers and strengthening the supply chain in the country.

The Technical Education Committee of the Medical Devices & Pharmaceuticals Cluster impacted more than 664 high school and university students through a series of talks, where they shared insights into the opportunities within the sector. The following institutions were part of this initiative: Colegio ABC, Colegio Fernando Arturo Meriño, Colegio Calasanz, Colegio Triumphare, Colegio César Nicolás Penson, Instituto Politécnico de Haina, Instituto Politécnico Loyola, CAFAN, Politécnico Salesiano Padre Bartolomé Vegh, Instituto Técnico Salesiano, INTEC, PUCMM, Instituto Especializado de Estudios Superiores Loyola, UNPHU, UNIBE, UNAPEC, UCE, O&M, and UASD.

The companies BD APM, Jabil, Convatec, AccuMed, LG H&H, Fresenius Kabi, PIISA Industrial Park, BBraun, Medline Microtek, Baxter, BD (ZFLA), and Medsorb Dominicana, all member companies of the Cluster, hosted these high school and university students at their facilities. During their tour, the students had the opportunity to learn more about the medical device industry in the country, its products, and the professional development opportunities these companies offer.

The Cluster held a  series of productive meetings with representatives from prestigious institutions, including UNIBE, UNAPEC, ITLA, UTESA, PUCMM, INTEC, Politécnico Loyola, UNPHU, and UCE. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss the ongoing development of current educational programs and the existing talent pipeline, while also exploring potential areas of collaboration between the cluster and each institution.

During these sessions, the CDMF highlighted the growing demand for skilled professionals in the medical devices and pharmaceutical sectors, emphasizing the importance of aligning educational offerings with industry needs.

The CDMF (Cluster of Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals) has held a series of meetings with counselors and advisors from schools and technical institutes with the aim of strengthening vocational guidance for students interested in health and medical technology fields. During these meetings, the importance of the medical devices and pharmaceutical sector was presented as a professional development opportunity, highlighting the growing demand for experts in these fields.

We thank the following institutions for their warm welcome:

• Academia de Liderazgo UCE
• Colegio Loyola
• Instituto Politécnico de Haina
• Colegio Triumphare
• MC School

The Cluster's Education Committee visited the Instituto Politécnico Loyola in San Cristóbal to learn about its facilities and robust academic offerings.

We also had the opportunity to visit its Research, Development, and Innovation Center, which houses the practical laboratories where students put their knowledge to the test.

We thank Father Victoriano, rector of the Instituto Politécnico Loyola, and his entire team for opening the doors to new opportunities for collaboration between our industry and this institution.

Member companies of the Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical Cluster gathered at the "Invest in Yourself" Job Fair, organized by the School of Industrial Engineering at the Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), UNAPEC, and INTEC.

Thank you for your participation and commitment to young talent!

We conducted a survey on the scholarships granted by the member companies of the cluster, and here are the results: in 2022, a total of 56 scholarships were awarded, with a projection of 99 scholarships to be granted in 2023. By the end of 2023, the companies of the CDMF awarded a total of 156 scholarships! These scholarships are granted to employees or the children of employees of the companies, for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, as well as continuing education programs for various professional development opportunities.

In 2024, the member companies of the Cluster achieved a significant milestone: a total of 199 interns. Out of this total, 22 interns were retained by the companies, reflecting the success of our efforts not only to train talent but also to integrate them into the sector permanently. We continue to promote the development of new talent and strengthen the connection between academia and industry. A step forward toward the future of innovation and professional development in our sector!

The CDMF held the webinar "Sterilization: New Regulations," aimed at representatives from member companies in the procurement and supply chain areas. This event featured David G. Howe, COO of Cosmed Group, who shared his extensive experience on regulatory changes in the sterilization process within the medical industry.

During the session, we explored the impact of these new regulations, their alternatives, and how companies can adapt to meet international quality and safety standards. Thank you to all the participants for their interest and commitment to innovation and compliance!

MICM Completes Pilot Program for Supplier Development in Collaboration with the Medical Devices Cluster

We participated in the closing activity of the Pilot Project to Promote Productive Linkages between companies in free zones in the medical devices sector and local businesses. This initiative was driven by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MiPymes, in collaboration with the Medical and Pharmaceutical Devices Cluster of ADOZONA.

During this event, the results of the project were shared, along with the experiences of some of the local companies involved in the process. Nine local industry companies participated in this pilot program, which were categorized based on their current and developing competencies. After their evaluation and categorization, these companies received an action plan for continuous improvement, aimed at fostering potential supply chain connections with the medical devices subsector.

Supply Chain Committee Completes Joint Bidding Process for Sector Needs

As part of the main actions of its strategic plan, the supply chain committee has continued with its initiatives to gather competitive quotes on primary materials for the sector. This year, the committee focused on negotiations for packaging materials, packing, and personal protection. Throughout this process, they have managed to negotiate prices with local suppliers, fostering connections within the supply chain and significantly reducing costs in their budgets.