Land transport blocked for 23 products from DR

GWOZOZO

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Dec 7, 2011
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DR recalls its ambassador over Haiti trade decision.

Haiti - FLASH : The Dominican Republic recalls its ambassador for consultation
17/09/2015 09:51:18


Following the decision of Haiti to ban the import by land of 23 Dominican products, which represent the majority of Dominican imports, forcing the neighboring nation to export these products to Haiti only by sea or air http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1...-ban-by-road-of-certain-products-from-dr.html , Jos? del Castillo Savi??n, the Dominican Minister of Industry and Trade, said Wednesday that the new restrictions on Dominican products are harmful to bilateral trade.

Adding that besides negative impacts on mutual trade, both for producers and traders Dominicans, this will also affect Haitian traders but especially the people of Haiti that will be affected by supply shortages and delays resulting. He said he would contact his Haitian counterpart Wilson Laleau and the Dominican Embassy in Haiti for more details on this decision...

Furthermore, the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalled for consultation its ambassador in Haiti and warned that it reserves the right to take further diplomatic action in response to the announcement of the Haitian government.

The Dominican Chancellery said yesterday that the measure, which limits the land trade between the two countries, is discriminatory, since the Dominican Republic is the only neighboring country of Haiti and therefore the only member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) that will be affected by this prohibition.

Chancellor Navarro explained that "[...] This measure represents violations of international commitments made by the two WTO member countries, in particular articles I, on the most favored nation; III on national treatment: V on freedom of transit; XI, Section 2, paragraph b) of the general elimination of quantitative restrictions and XIII on the non-discrimination of quantitative restrictions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), where the rules where merchandise trade between the countries are set [...]"

"If the decision announced by the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Haiti materializes, this will make difficult the possibilities of reactivating dialogue and bi-national cooperation already being affected," stressing that he had not received from Haitian authorities any formal communication on this measure nor preliminary informations on this subject, in violation of bilateral agreements of 2014.

Recall that the Dominican Republic is a WTO member since March 9, 1995, and the Republic of Haiti since 30 January 1996.

SL/ HaitiLibre
 

GWOZOZO

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Dec 7, 2011
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Haiti - NOTICE : Import ban by road of certain products from DR
16/09/2015 10:02:13


In a statement, Wilson Laleau, the Minister of Economy and Finance informs the general public and importers in particular that a list of 23 products from the Dominican Republic will no longer be able to be imported by road but only by sea or air (excluding cement). These goods will be allowed to disembark only at the port of Port-au-Prince and that of Cap-Haitien.

The Ministry states that "These measures are adopted with the aim of a better quality control and to better ensure the safety of the population" and warned the stakeholders that "the General Administration of Customs is instructed to make the immediate seizure of any product on the list that would be imported by a port other than those authorized by a border office."

Due to the late publication of the decision, the Ministry in a corrective statement indicates that the entry into force initially scheduled this Wednesday, September 16 is postponed to Thursday, October 1, 2015.

Liste des produits concern?s :
1.- Wheat flour
2.- Gray cement (exception)
3.- Edible oil
4.- laundry soap
5.- Detergent Powder
6.- Packaging foam
7.- Drinking Water
8.- Painting and car body products
9.- Cooking Butter
10.- Mant?que
11.- Rebar
12.- Noodles
13. Expanded metal and sheet
14. PVC Pipes
15. Juice Powder
16. Soft Drinks
17. Beer
18. Snack (cheeco)
19. Ground maize
20.- Mattresses
21.- Heavy equipment for the construction (even for rent)
22.- Household utensils in plastic
23. Cookies

Obviously these measures are aimed above all other reasons, to enable the Ministry to cover the hundreds of millions of dollars of tax revenue lost to smuggling. However, one may wonder whether the Minister has taken into account the increase in the price of these products, due to a much more expensive transportation method, which will have negative repercussions on the cost of living, already too high for the poorest populations...

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre
 

GWOZOZO

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Dec 7, 2011
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Haiti postpones import ban until 1 October

The Haitian Government has postponed the ban on the import of 23 basic products from the Dominican Republic into its territory until 1 October 2105. The measure was originally scheduled to go into effect this Friday, 18 September 2015 as notified to the Haitian press, but was postponed, as Wilson Laleau, Minister of Economy and Finances confirmed to the Dominican press.

The ban will affect farm products including eggs, chickens, plantains, bananas, lettuce, carrots, coconuts, processed meats, juices and other products that are sold at the Monday and Friday border markets, as well as construction materials. The ban does not affect clothing imports that are sent to the Conavi free zone plants on the Haitian side of the border.
 

franco1111

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May 29, 2013
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The odd twist on this is that these products can still be imported by air. I have to guess that is cost prohibitive. Making the ban almost 100 percent effective.
 

PICHARDO

One Dominican at a time, please!
May 15, 2003
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LOL!!

Nothing that a new "small" coup d'etat can't take care of!

LOL!!!

It's cyclical for Haiti...

For those that still don't know, this is all about Martelly trying to create media attention to other matters rather than his rule by decree state of affairs. He tasted power, now he doesn't want to let go of it.

He who controls the inflow in Haiti, controls the country. They are trying to squeeze the balls of the mover and shakers in their economy. The biggest chunk is from DR-Haiti border trade.

The gov people (Tet Kale) controls the airports and sea ports. They can't control the land border commerce.

Watch and learn... This is why Haiti can't develop as it has been since 1804.
They need money and lots of it, to retain the gov in power as is. The only way they can think of, its by using this way to control the cash flows. Not the sharpest tools in the shed.
 

Kipling333

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Jan 12, 2010
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Really what person in their right mind in Haiti would stop goods from the neighbouring country coming in by truck,, it is quite illogical when similar products from other countries would cost more and disadvantage the Haitian population. It is not as if there are trucks by the hundreds going into Haiti..so they can be assessed at the border and the due tax imposed on the Haitian importer . Haiti is a classic example where they do not need enemies as they are thir own worst enemy.
 

bob saunders

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Jan 1, 2002
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After the earthquake there were literally tons of supplies stuck in warehouses, docks...etc that the Haitians government wouldn't rel?ase until duty was paid...etc. Even during an national emergency the corupt government still wanted their cash, on free donations.
 

AlterEgo

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Jan 9, 2009
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Obviously these measures are aimed above all other reasons, to enable the Ministry to cover the hundreds of millions of dollars of tax revenue lost to smuggling. However, one may wonder whether the Minister has taken into account the increase in the price of these products, due to a much more expensive transportation method, which will have negative repercussions on the cost of living, already too high for the poorest populations...

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre

Bingo. They're not concerned about how this will affect their poorest citizens.
 

AlterEgo

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Today's DR1 news:

Andres Navarro: Haiti must re-think import ban

Minister of Foreign Relations Andres Navarro says that Haiti needs to re-think the measure that bans the import of 23 of the most commonly exported products across the land border with the Dominican Republic before putting it into effect on 1 October 2015. Navarro advised the Haitian authorities to think of what is good for the Haitian people, pointing out that the Haitian government has not yet notified the Dominican Republic about the ban. He confirmed that he had summoned the Dominican ambassador in Haiti, Ruben Silie, to Santo Domingo for consultations. Navarro said the ban would violate the bilateral trade agreement signed in 2014 that stipulates that any measure affecting the flow of trade needs to be previously notified and discussed by both parties.

Meanwhile, Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD) executive president Osmar Benitez said that the measure announced by the Haitian Economy Ministry would result in these products costing more in Haiti and encourage contraband. "We do not understand how a government can take measures that will harm its own citizens," he commented.

The Association of Exporters estimated the ban could represent US$200 million decline in exports.

http://www.elnuevodiario.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=444593

http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1...-ban-by-road-of-certain-products-from-dr.html
 

GWOZOZO

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Dec 7, 2011
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lol..lol..lol..you people just don't get it...do you.

As always delusional Pichardo wants a coup...lol what army is going to do that coup?

This really shows which country really needs the other.

Too funny.
 

GWOZOZO

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Dec 7, 2011
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More tears...lol

Top Dominican Republic senators lash out at Haiti?s ?bull---t?

Santo Domingo.- The current and former presidents of the Senate on Thursday said the Dominican government?s tolerance of Haitian authorities have reached its limit, and called for more vigorous response to its "nonsense."

"Dominican Republic?s tolerance has exceeded parameters, the limits of what a nation should withstand, which has been considerate and respected by the Dominican Republic," said Senate president Cristina Lizardo.

She asked the Presidency and the senior diplomats to seek other measures, including other markets for domestic products to reject the neighboring country?s intentions.

"I think the Dominican Republic has the ability to seek other markets, what happens is that the country?s gesture of solidarity and consideration with the Haitian people has prevailed," although Port-au-Prince ?s attitude, she says isn?t ?reciprocal.?

Former Senate president Reinaldo Pared said in response to Haiti?s ban on the entry of 23 Dominican products to Haitian territory through border crossings, the Dominican government should seek alternatives "without neglecting the Haitian people."

"Enough of withstanding so much nonsense and bull**** from the Haitian government," Pared said, noting that Haiti?s ban "harms the Haitian people the most," and despite that Port-au-Prince is aware of trade?s importance for the Dominican business sector.

Losses



Dominican Exporters Association (ADOEXPO) president Sadala Khoury on Thursday placed the losses for local exporters from the ban at 200 million dollars.
 

GWOZOZO

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Dec 7, 2011
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More cries of desperation and vulgarity.


Dominican Republic drops the F-bomb, bull feces on trade flap with Haiti.

Saman?, Dominican Republic.- Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD) CEO Osmar Benitez on Thursday used the f-bomb to call Haiti?s ban on overland import of 22 Dominican products a mistake measure, which in his view undermines the neighboring country?s population.

Benitez becomes the second Dominican personality to resort to vulgarity in the flap with Haiti, after senator Reinaldo Pared called Port-au-Prince?s ban ?bulls---t.?

"We don?t understand how a country?s government takes measures whose purpose and end result will jeopardize its own citizens," he said.

He said the ban imposed by Haiti?s Economy Ministry "it?s first going to make these foods more expensive because it?s not the same passing them than to take them on a barge to Port au Prince, to Fort Libert?, up to Gonaives or Cap Haitien, which are the four ports that operate " in the impoverished nation.

"Secondly this will encourage smuggling again, because they will again pass oil and pasta on mules, donkeys and others across the border, because our border is porous," the business leader said, noting that the move forms part of "a fiscal policy that affects trade, unless it?s their eagerness to f..k around, I don?t believe it is."

He urged Haiti?s government to propose talks with its Dominican counterparts to reach a trade agreement defining four ports of entry at the border.

With more than US$1.4 billion Haiti is Dominican Republic?s second biggest trading partner.
 

mountainannie

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Dec 11, 2003
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http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1...-ban-by-road-of-certain-products-from-dr.html

n a statement, Wilson Laleau, the Minister of Economy and Finance informs the general public and importers in particular that a list of 23 products from the Dominican Republic will no longer be able to be imported by road but only by sea or air (excluding cement). These goods will be allowed to disembark only at the port of Port-au-Prince and that of Cap-Haitien.

The Ministry states that "These measures are adopted with the aim of a better quality control and to better ensure the safety of the population" and warned the stakeholders that "the General Administration of Customs is instructed to make the immediate seizure of any product on the list that would be imported by a port other than those authorized by a border office."

Due to the late publication of the decision, the Ministry in a corrective statement indicates that the entry into force initially scheduled this Wednesday, September 16 is postponed to Thursday, October 1, 2015.

Liste des produits concern?s :
1.- Wheat flour
2.- Gray cement (exception)
3.- Edible oil
4.- laundry soap
5.- Detergent Powder
6.- Packaging foam
7.- Drinking Water
8.- Painting and car body products
9.- Cooking Butter
10.- Mant?que
11.- Rebar
12.- Noodles
13. Expanded metal and sheet
14. PVC Pipes
15. Juice Powder
16. Soft Drinks
17. Beer
18. Snack (cheeco)
19. Ground maize
20.- Mattresses
21.- Heavy equipment for the construction (even for rent)
22.- Household utensils in plastic
23. Cookies

Obviously these measures are aimed above all other reasons, to enable the Ministry to cover the hundreds of millions of dollars of tax revenue lost to smuggling. However, one may wonder whether the Minister has taken into account the increase in the price of these products, due to a much more expensive transportation method, which will have negative repercussions on the cost of living, already too high for the poorest populations...
 

mountainannie

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Dec 11, 2003
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elizabetheames.blogspot.com
After the earthquake there were literally tons of supplies stuck in warehouses, docks...etc that the Haitians government wouldn't rel?ase until duty was paid...etc. Even during an national emergency the corupt government still wanted their cash, on free donations.

I know that you are always right.

Howevevrer - I was monitoring the situation in Haiti very closely - perhaps 28/7 - after the earthquake.

President Preval actually let just about everything in for THREE months. Then - he said that unless one had a REGISTERED NGO in HAITI that was Tax Exempt - then one had to pay taxes on whatever was coming in.

By that time,there was already a secondary trade growing up of people selling the tents -- etc.. and the government had zero renue.

It is always so very chic to blame the government of Haiti but in this case - no go ..

(I particularly like the story of how all the medical aid came in with free doctors - and no one thought to pay the Haitian doctors or keep the public hospital open -- so it closed within months)
 

GWOZOZO

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Dec 7, 2011
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I guess the important question is how many of these products are available from Haitian companies and suppliers? Is this a form of protectionism or mere chip being played in the on going dispute between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

About half of the items on the list are also produced in Haiti.


Haiti - Economy : ADIH support the transport restriction on 23 products from DR19/09/2015 10:33:26


The Government's decision to restrict from 1 October 2015, road transport to 23 products coming from the Dominican Republic, http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1...-ban-by-road-of-certain-products-from-dr.html now allowing the import of these products only by sea or air, for better control, has obtained the full support of the Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH).

In a statement ADIH congratulates the government, especially Wilson Laleau, the Ministry of Economy and Finance "for these new measures taken to combat fraud and smuggling raging in the border area."

The association points out "outside the revenues that will be collected by the tax authorities, these provisions will help to promote investment, thus job creation."

Additionally, ADIH, wishes the local producers, harmed by the fraud and smuggling whose products are not on the list of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, contact their employer organizations to pursue this approach.

"ADIH reiterates its support for the measures taken and hopes that the progressive sectors of the country will adhere to it," concluded Carl-Fr?d?ric Madsen, President of the Association of Industries of Haiti.
 

GWOZOZO

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Dec 7, 2011
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Minister proposes dialogue with Haiti about ban on Dominican products.

Santo Domingo.? Industry and Commerce minister Jose del Castillo said Friday that the Dominican government is willing to talk with its Haitian counterpart to reach an understanding regarding the ban on 23 Dominican products.

The top official said the Haitian government will have to analyze the possibility of withdrawing the measure that affects Dominican industry and commerce, Haitian merchants, transporters and the population.

Del Castillo said the Haitian authorities suggested the products are transported by sea or air, but according to the Dominican minister the logistics involved in such transport would raise costs.

The minister stated that the 23 products banned by Haiti mean 47% of Dominican exports to the neighboring country. If Haiti does not lift the ban, it could cause the Dominican Republic a loss of 500 million dollars.
 

GWOZOZO

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Dec 7, 2011
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1. It is not a ban. (that's in the future)
2. It equalizes the plane field for other nations exporting to Haiti.
3. 53% of dominican exports are still allowed to cross the border (for now)

A small step by Haiti in the right direction.
 

the gorgon

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Sep 16, 2010
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1. It is not a ban. (that's in the future)
2. It equalizes the plane field for other nations exporting to Haiti.
3. 53% of dominican exports are still allowed to cross the border (for now)

A small step by Haiti in the right direction.

there is much ado being made about the Haitian ban on Dominican products. what i have not heard is how much Haitian produce is sold in Dominican markets. i went to the latest Expo Cibao fair, where manufacturers and service providers display their wares. two years ago, there were exhibitors from Brazil, Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, Grenada, and a few other caribbean islands. this year, nobody came. i spoke to a person who exhibited two years ago, and the consensus was that theyw ere wasting time coming here, because it is impossible to break into the Dominican market. if that is the case, i see no reason why the DR should be distressed because another country refuses their products. gates swing both ways.