Dominican Republic customs officers will begin to honor the Free Trade Agreement signed on 16 April 1998 with Central America. The DR will start by implementing the agreement with El Salvador and Guatemala. El Salvador’s Minister of the Economy, Miguel E. Lacayo, headed a mission of Salvadoran businessmen and government officers to Santo Domingo yesterday to prepare for the start of the agreement. El Salvador has a head start in trade with the DR as it already exports US$14 million worth of goods here. Under the agreement, Central American countries expect to increase their exports of shoes, fabrics, thread, handicrafts, towels, tools, tires, juices and other food products to Dominican consumers, said Minister Lacayo. The DR has the challenge ahead of starting to export to that country.
