The next round of deliberations of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the Dominican government is scheduled for Santo Domingo, 24-26 January. The Ministry of Foreign Relations reported that little progress was achieved during the 12th round of negotiations that took place in Kingston, Jamaica. The Ministry said that the DR maintains its position of finalizing an agreement that would benefit locally produced farm and industrial goods. Caricom has presented a list that exempts 48 products (making up 20% of the present exports to the Caricom member nations) from free trade treatment. The DR presented a negative list of only 19 items. The negotiations focused on criteria of origin to be applied to the goods. Remaining to be discussed is the treatment of free zones within the free trade agreement, commerce of services, professional services, temporary entrance of businessmen and government purchases. The Dominican delegation was head by Frederic Emam Zade, deputy Minister of Foreign Relations who is the coordinator of the National Commission for Trade Negotiations (CNNC).
