The free trade agreement the Dominican Republic will sign with the Caribbean will not include the telecommunications sector, according to services sector negotiator Federico Cuello. Cuello explained that the negotiators agreed to incorporate the services sector when the individual nations pass telecommunication reform bills. The DR recently passed a modern telecommunications bill. Chief negotiator for the country, Ambassador Frederic Emam-Zadé said that the free trade agreement that is slated to be signed in Santo Domingo by chiefs of State of Caribbean Community nations and President Leonel Fernández will enter into effect in January, 1999. The countries will have 90 days to submit the list of exempted products after the signing of the agreement during the Summit that is scheduled for 20-22 August.
