The Haitian ambassador Guy Lamothe explained that repatriating Haitians is not a definitive solution to the Haitian-DR migration problems. He said that the solution is to put behind us isolationism and promote strong, open cooperation, regardless of the two countries being independent and having very distinct cultures. A Dominican-Haitian bilateral commission is addressing these issues and the Dominican government is lobbying for international support for Haiti. Lamothe emphasized the need to cooperate to find the funds that will help bring development to Haiti. He concurs with Dominican authorities that only an increase in well being in Haiti will bring a stop to the migration in large numbers. Lamothe says that the DR today is in great part dependent on Haiti for cheap labor for farm fields and construction industry. He says that the Haitians have moved on from working in the sugar fields to working in tomato and rice plantations and in urban construction works. He said that the migration was caused by the slowing down of the Haitian economy, the political instability that brought about a drop in foreign investment and employment at free zones. More so, Lamothe said that economic development in Haiti is in the best interest of Dominicans because Haiti is a big market for Dominican produce. He said that 77% of Dominican exports to the Caribbean were sent to Haiti. He estimates that 300,000-400,000 work in the DR. Stats show that there are only 1,862 legal Haitian residents, and 1,693 legal refugees. The DR and Haiti are divided by a 300 kilometer frontier that is easily crossed by anyone who cares to do so.
