The Foreign Ministry yesterday opened a formal two-day meeting with the ambassadors of the six countries (Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Venezuela) which have indicated an interest in negotiating FTAs with the Dominican Republic. The meeting is being at the Central Bank and is presided over by Maribel Gassó, the President’s chief trade advisor. Yesterday morning Chile presented outlined its case for a FTA with the DR, as did Cuba yesterday afternoon. Ecuador makes its presentation this morning and Venezuela this afternoon. Colombia and Mexico have decided not to make formal proposals yet. So far the greatest interest appears to be in an FTA with Chile. Chile says that it is willing to negotiate a treaty as comprehensive and as liberal as the DR thinks it can tolerate. Asked why the DR would start pursuing new FTAs before its existing one with Central America is even ratified by Congress, Ministry spokesman Frederic Emán Zadé pointed out that if the DR wishes to conclude any FTA at all within the next three years, it must start laying the groundwork now.
