According to a document presented to the Senate by the Japanese ambassador, Takashi Fuchigami, the Dominican Republic’s exports to Japan are at US$28.6 million a year, consisting of ferronickel, medical equipment and cacao. The DR imports US$173.5 million in vehicles and machinery, for a recent negative trade balance of US$144.9 million with Japan.
The senators say that Japan has compensated the negative trade balance with donations up to 2012 that have totaled US$254.94 million plus technical cooperation of US$309.88 million.
Japan also loans the Dominican Republic money and at the moment the amount outstanding is US$315.80 million.
Read more in Spanish: http://hoy.com.do/balanza-comercial-con-japon-negativa-en-us144-9-mm/