Ángelo Viro warns of electricity outages and US tariff talks affecting Dominican and Brazilian industry

Ángelo Viro, president of the National Association of Industrial Enterprises of Herrera, said that frequent electricity interruptions are raising production costs for private‑sector firms. Companies are turning to alternative power sources to avoid passing higher prices on to consumers. Viro made the remarks while announcing the eighth edition of the National Quality Award for the private sector.

Viro also expressed confidence that the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs will effectively negotiate with the United States over tariff measures, including those linked to forced‑labor concerns. He highlighted the country’s position as the seventh‑largest economy in Latin America and its potential to become a Caribbean industrial leader. Despite challenges such as power outages and seasonal cyclones, he noted that many firms have backup generators and can absorb higher fuel costs without shifting them to consumers.