DRFREEZONES, an initiative of the National Free Zones Council of the Dominican Republic (CNZFE), will conduct a live webinar titled “The Dominican Republic Solution: U.S.–Dominican Republic MedTech Supply Chain Collaboration” on September 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. AST. The session aims to provide insights into the updated total-cost analysis for nearshoring decisions involving the medical technology (MedTech) sector.
Webinar Overview and Key Topics
The webinar will feature Dr. Alexander Schad, Executive Chairman of Frederic Schad, who is the author of the study serving as the foundation for the analysis to be presented. His presentation will focus on how U.S. manufacturers can assess the Dominican Republic as a viable option within a more resilient and collaborative MedTech supply chain.
Key components of Schad’s analysis will include recent changes in U.S. trade policy. Specifically, the webinar will address actions taken in July 2026 by the U.S. Trade Representative, which imposed an additional 12.5% tariff on certain Dominican Republic-origin products, while also discussing various factors such as logistics, inventory management, and quality control. Despite the new tariffs, the analysis suggests that the Dominican Republic may still offer lower overall manufacturing costs for U.S.-bound medical devices compared to China, largely due to shorter lead times and lower logistics expenses.
The 48-minute program will include a formal welcome, the main presentation by Dr. Schad, a moderated discussion, and a Q&A session. The goal of the session is to equip industry executives with a framework to better compare various sourcing and production locations, focusing on the comprehensive operational impacts instead of just nominal costs.
Johannes Kelner, Executive Director of CNZFE, emphasized that successful MedTech supply chains require more than just cost-effectiveness; they also depend on factors like resilience, regulatory compliance, and the ability to function collaboratively in real time. He added that this webinar seeks to provide decision-makers with updated information and facilitate meaningful discussions about the role of the Dominican Republic in enhancing U.S. MedTech supply chains.
The webinar is free and open to various stakeholders, including manufacturers, supply-chain executives, and investors considering nearshoring options. Additional registration details can be found on the official DRFREEZONES website and their LinkedIn channel.
Why It Matters
This webinar represents a critical step for stakeholders in the MedTech sector, offering insight into the evolving landscape of supply chain management and nearshoring. As companies assess production locations amidst changing trade policies, discussions like these will be integral to informed decision-making that supports operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
