The rector of INTEC assures that the Dominican Republic has trained human capital to develop the semiconductor industry

 SANTO DOMINGO. – The rector of Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), Arturo Del Villar, assured that the Dominican Republic has the capabilities to enter the semiconductor market, not only in terms of packaging, but also in the design and improvement of processes, since it has a human capital trained by universities to develop that industry.  

Participating in a panel after the presentation of the report "Analysis of the enabling environment for the semiconductor and microelectronics industries in the Dominican Republic," Del Villar stated that INTEC, as a strategic partner of the productive sectors, has prioritized improvements in the undergraduate study programs of the Engineering Area, such as concentrations, microcredentials and accreditations, in order to respond to the current demands of the productive sectors.

In the panel moderated by Federico Cuello Camilo, Dominican ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), stated that INTEC has introduced courses related to advanced manufacturing. “Universities are the bridge that can overcome many of the barriers that currently exist for the implementation of a semiconductor industry in the country,” the academic emphasized.

Sharing the stage with the Minister of Education, Luis Miguel De Camps; the president of the Dominican Association of Free Zones (Adozona), Claudia Pellerano; and María Waleska Álvarez, CEO of NAP del Caribe; the rector of INTEC highlighted the university's connection with EATON Corporation, with which it has established a strategic alliance of more than a decade. "Our students complete internships at EATON, many end up being hired in important positions, and the company's executives teach at the university, so we share laboratories and develop joint research projects," he stated. 

Del Villar also spoke about the Learning Factory program, which INTEC develops with the support of Penn State University. “In this program, companies come to the university with a problem they want to solve, and that project is assigned to a group of students who are supported by a faculty advisor. We have had many very successful cases,” he emphasized.

About the report

The report was presented by Guy Lalanne, acting head of the OECD's Productivity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Division, who explained that the document analyzes the opportunities, challenges and policies that drive the development of the semiconductor and microelectronics industry in the Dominican Republic.

Lalanne pointed out that the Dominican Republic has numerous strengths for developing the semiconductor industry, including an advanced manufacturing base, generous incentives in its free trade zone regime, political stability and democratic institutions, good transport infrastructure and its geographical proximity to important export markets in the Americas.  

He also suggested that to fully capitalize on the opportunities in the semiconductor and microelectronics industries, the country should strengthen the institutional framework for semiconductor policymaking; take advantage of the Dominican Republic's free trade zone regime; improve the business environment for the semiconductor and microelectronics industries; develop the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem; and improve electricity and water infrastructure.

Semiconductor Industry for 2028

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs, Eduardo Sanz Lovatón (Yayo), stated that the Dominican Republic is a reliable partner for nearshoring and an active participant in the new configuration of the global production map.

He argued that when the private and public sectors work together on investment and public policies, development transcends governments and becomes a national strategy adopted by countries as a pillar of sustained growth.

He also stated that the Dominican Republic will be producing and exporting semiconductors before 2028, marking a milestone in the diversification of the national production matrix. In this regard, he said they are working on a strategic alliance with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).