Angel Lockward, the controversial Minister of Industry and Commerce, presented his resignation to President Mejia on Wednesday, 27 June. On Tuesday, President Mejia had returned to the Ministry of Foreign Relations the management of foreign trade negotiations. President Mejia had placed the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in charge with the creation of the National Council of Foreign Trade (Conacex) in January of this year. Lockward’s only comment to the press: “Upon a presidential decision only two things can be done: fulfill the instructions or go home.” President Mejia had no comment on Lockward’s resignation. But on the same day he issued Decree 690-01 that terminates the responsibility of the National Council of Foreign Trade (Conacex), that had resulted in a heated tirade between the ministries of Industry & Commerce and Foreign Relations. Decree 690-01 establishes that the Dominican trade negotiating team is now to be presided by the Ministry of Foreign Relations. Other members are representatives from the Technical Secretariat of the Presidency, the ministries of Industry & Commerce and Agriculture, the European Union Development Funds Office, the legal advisor to the President, the Central Bank, Customs Department, Office for Promotion of Foreign Investment, and the Dominican Center for the Promotion of Exports. Decree 690-01 instructs the Ministry of Foreign Relations, through its Commission for Trade Negotiations (CNNC) to head dealings with the World Trade Organization, the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas, the Cotonou Agreement and appoint missions that will represent the country before regional blocks and institutions.
