The Dominican Association of Exporters (Adoexpo) is warning that the imposition of the 5% tax on all exports of goods and services will cause a sharp rise in unemployment. The tax had been imposed by presidential decree in August, but was rejected by the Supreme Court of Justice that ruled the only Congress can create taxes. To make matters constitutionally right, President Hipolito Mejia sent the tax for approval to Congress. Samir Rizek, the president of Adoexpo, in an interview with Hoy newspaper, pointed out that the tax would directly affect the competitiveness of Dominican products abroad. Other members of the exporter’s association said that the government should take a hard look at the currency reserves of the Central Bank, now at an all time low of US$97 million dollars, according to the Hoy report.