In 1990, the DR sold US$5 million in exports to Haiti. In 1997, exports were up to USS$27 million. By year 1998, according to the Dominican Center for the Promotion of Exports (CEDOPEX), the DR was exporting over US$60 million. Registered exports go by way of the frontier Jiman? frontier point. But millions are traded every year in the informal markets that are open in Dajab?n and El?as Pi?a and to which thousands of buyers from Haiti attend to purchase Dominican consumers products to sell back home. These markets are open on Monday and Friday. The volume of purchasing is such, that Dominican industry sales drop when political problems in Haiti reduce the flow of the purchases. Haiti has a population of seven million. Haiti exports to the DR are much less, and are made up primarily of imports from France and handicrafts for sale to tourists, as well as goods that are donated to Haiti, such as used clothing and food products, that are later resold to low-income Dominicans. Haiti has conditioned the signing of a free trade agreement to the signing of a migration agreement that would legalize the status of thousands of Haitians that have entered the DR illegally, and would open doors to the increase in the steady flow of Haitians seeking a minimum livelihood. Meanwhile, trade continues. While trade has continued, the volatility of this is great given that it is expected that Jean Bertrand Aristide will return to the presidency in Haiti. Aristide has maintained a strong opposition stand against the DR.
