The Minister of Industry and Commerce Angel Lockward announced upon his return from Haiti that talks will be held to work towards the signing of a free trade agreement with the neighboring country. In Haiti, he met with Prime Minister Jean Marie Cherestal and Minister of Industry and Commerce Stanley Theard on the subject. He said the Dominican Republic could sell its production surplus to Haiti, including eggs, yucca, beans and potatoes. He said the government has authorized the sale of one million gallons of propane gas to Haiti, or approximately 5% of national consumption. He said development projects that could be financed by the Hispaniola Fund were also discussed. The Hispaniola Fund would be created if the US government allows the DR to pay moneys into it that are owed to the bilateral debt with the United States. The second round of talks would take place on 6 April during the meeting of the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
