The Production Transformation Policy Reviews (PTPRs) are an OECD policy assessment and guidance tool that supports policy makers in the creation and implementation of better strategies for transforming their economies. They benefit from international peer dialogue and discussions under the aegis of the OECD Initiative for Policy Dialogue on Global Value Chains, Production Transformation and Development.
The PTPR of the Dominican Republic involved a 15-month peer review process. It was requested by the National Competitiveness Council (CNC) and the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Micro and SMEs (MICM). It was carried out by the OECD Development Centre in co‑operation with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). It benefited from peer review by the Ministry of Agriculture of Brazil and the Reshoring Institute of the United States. It also benefited from feedback from the Peer Learning Group (PLG) of the PTPR of the Dominican Republic. The group met in Peru, hosted by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and included the participation of 48 international experts from 12 countries representing governments, private sector, universities and international organisations.
The PTPR of the Dominican Republic analyses the national strategy for economic transformation with a focus on agro-food and nearshoring. This report comes as the world grapples with a global public health emergency, the COVID-19 pandemic, which has also brought on a major economic crisis. There is no end to the questions facing the global economy at this moment. However, it stands to reason that, in the medium-term, demand will refocus on essential needs, creating major interruptions to most supply chains.
The PTPR process identified opportunities to strengthen local industrial capabilities and prioritise policy approaches in the coming years. Given these historic challenges, this review can be all the more relevant by providing an analysis of the overall national strategy, governance, and tools for transforming the economy of the Dominican Republic at a time of tremendous tragedy, stress and uncertainty.