The president of the Dominican Association of Free Zones, Fernando Capellán advocates the installation of industrial free zones in the Dominican frontier strip with Haiti. During a visit to Haiti to participate in a seminar sponsored by the Center for Free Enterprise and Democracy, Capellán recalled that in the 70s and early 80s Haiti was the pioneer of free zone manufacturing operations in the Caribbean, way before manufacturing took off in the DR. He called for Haitian and DR official support to the effort to install the free zones that would primarily employ Haitians. He said the political situation in Haiti has reduced levels of employment in free zones in Haiti to around 18,000, about 10% of those employed in the DR. He feels Haiti can catch up. "Our perception is that Haiti can reverse that situation in the short range, taking advantage of new trade facilities, including the passing of the Caribbean Basin Initiative enhancement pact," he said. He said that with the support of the private and public sector and the international community, Haiti could become the emerging country of the Caribbean. He foresees Haiti could consolidate itself as an attractive destination for local and foreign investment in economic development projects, such as free zones. Others attending were former President Leonel Fernández and former President of Costa Rica Jose Maria Figueres.
