Santo Domingo.- The general director of the Center for Industrial Development and Competitiveness (Proindustria), Rafael Cruz Rodríguez, and the general director of the Spanish Association for Standardization (Aenor) in the Dominican Republic, Ariel Espejo Combes, led the signing of the inter-institutional cooperation framework agreement between both entities, with the purpose of developing joint initiatives that boost the competitiveness of manufacturing companies by promoting quality, innovation, sustainability and the adoption of international standards.

The alliance will allow the design and implementation of training, technical assistance and business strengthening programs in strategic areas such as quality, traceability, environmental sustainability, regulatory compliance, governance and innovation. Likewise, it will promote the implementation of quality management systems aligned with national and international standards, contributing to the development of a more competitive industrial sector prepared to respond to market demands.

Rafael Cruz expressed that this agreement expresses a long-term vision of promoting a Dominican industry where excellence, innovation and sustainability are permanent drivers of competitiveness and growth.

"We consider that this alliance will bring companies closer to specialized training programs in ISO standards, quality management, innovation, sustainability, digital transformation, environmental management, risk management and continuous improvement. So we welcome this strategic alliance, which strengthens the vision of a management committed to placing this institution in another dimension," said the official.

As part of the agreement, Proindustria and Aenor will develop support programs aimed at strengthening the culture of quality in manufacturing industries, promoting the implementation of ISO standards and other international standards, as well as certifications, audits, conformity assessment and continuous improvement actions that contribute to increasing operational efficiency and facilitating access to new markets.

The agreement also contemplates the design of technical assistance programs to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria in the administration of industrial parks and free zones, in addition to the joint implementation of training sessions, dissemination activities and work plans that strengthen the capabilities of the national industrial fabric.

For his part, Espejo Combes, from Aenor, argued that today it is not enough to demonstrate quality. “Organizations must also demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, care for the environment, innovation, responsible waste management, food safety, the reduction of their carbon footprint and increasingly solid governance and determine the ability to compete and access international markets.”

"Precisely for this reason we value this agreement with Proindustria. Our aspiration is that a greater number of manufacturing companies can access the knowledge, tools and standards that allow them to strengthen their competitiveness and respond successfully to the growing demands of markets such as Europe and the United States, where the requirements are increasingly more rigorous," he expressed.

The agreement will be valid for two years and the actions derived from this alliance will be executed through annual work plans, in which both institutions will define objectives, activities, schedules and responsibilities to guarantee the development of the planned initiatives.

With this signature, Proindustria continues to promote strategic alliances that contribute to raising the competitiveness of the Dominican manufacturing sector, promoting the incorporation of good international practices and tools that strengthen the productivity, innovation and sustainable development of the national industry.