The Dominican Association of Free Zones (ADOZONA) warned that the proposal to compensate the industrial and agricultural sectors with sizeable tax breaks, in exchange for the removal of the 25% tax on soft drinks containing corn syrup, would interfere with the State’s ability to perform its administrative duties during the coming year. According to Hoy journalist Aleida Plasencia, ADOZONA said that instead of solving the problem, this “proposal would only make things worse.” Arturo Peguero appealed to the Executive Branch and the Congress to find a solution to the impasse surrounding the syrup tax. Peguero pointed out that the United States has made the removal of the tax a precondition for the Free Trade Agreement to go into effect. At present, there are two proposals regarding the elimination of the tax. One is from President Leonel Fernandez and contains a single paragraph that addresses the elimination of the tax, plain and simple. The other is from Senator Ramon Alburquerque and contains four articles concerning tax breaks for the sugar sector and others. Peguero said that his association felt the approval of the Alburquerque-sponsored legislation would distort 2005’s budget, as well as the negotiations with the IMF that are at an advanced stage.