This effort is the result of the hard work carried out by the Agricultural Trade Treaty Office (ACTO) together with Competitiveness, within the framework of the National Trade Facilitation Committee chaired by the General Directorate of Customs, in response to the requirements cited in Decree 346-19 on the cold chain.

The Ministry of Agriculture, the National Competitiveness Council, and the National Trade Facilitation Committee (CNFC) presented the Manual of Good Practices for the management of perishable products throughout the cold chain. The document focuses on 30 products with export potential that, due to their biological characteristics, undergo changes that affect their shelf life.

In this official presentation, held virtually, the Minister of Agriculture, Osmar Benítez, received a manual from Zoraima Cuello, executive director of the National Competitiveness Council, with the technical and financial support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

This effort is the result of the hard work carried out by the Agricultural Trade Treaty Office (ACTO) together with Competitiveness, within the framework of the National Trade Facilitation Committee chaired by the General Directorate of Customs, in response to the requirements cited in Decree 346-19 on the cold chain.

The manual of Good Practices for the management of perishable products contributes to the execution of axis 3 of the National Development Strategy, which postulates the need to “a territorially and sectorally integrated, innovative, diversified, plural, quality-oriented, and environmentally sustainable economy.” It also aligns with Agriculture Resolution 78-2018, which prioritizes the export of these 30 products, as well as local (NORDOM) and international (CODEX) regulations and provisions.

Minister Osmar Benítez highlighted that “Maintaining the cold chain prevents the growth of microorganisms, reduces heat and water vapor emissions, and controls the atmosphere around products, which prevents food waste.”

The official revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture has encouraged the incorporation of cold storage into exports, requesting that the chain not be broken. He also mentioned the inclusion of 10 products at a time, until reaching the 30 selected with the greatest potential for export.

In her speech, the Director of Competitiveness, Zoraima Cuello said that "We are committed to maintaining the cold chain, opening the doors to the expansion of trade, exports, and the creation of more jobs for Dominicans."

Eduardo Rodríguez, representing the president of the CNFC, said "This achievement, which complies with the provisions of Decree 346-19 and also protects local exports, is a source of great satisfaction for the National Trade Facilitation Committee."

Rodríguez emphasized that the country must jointly commit to the effective implementation of this manual, ensuring the safety, quality, and competitiveness of the products the Dominican Republic offers to the rest of the world.

Meanwhile, the IDB representative for the Dominican Republic, Miguel Coronado, reported that "the implementation of this project has been possible thanks to the synergies between the National Competitiveness Council, the Ministry of Agriculture, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors, for the implementation of the Immediate Action Plan (PAI) of the National Logistics Plan (PNLOG), adopted by the National Trade Facilitation Committee (CNFC)."

Coronado emphasized that the cold chain, as a logistics system, serves as a catalyst for increasing exports and opening new markets. He highlighted that the increase in cold chain capacity benefits perishable products, logistics operators, terminals, and even the pharmaceutical and medical device industry.