According to estimates by business analysts and the authorities, the Haitian government’s plan to impose a ban on a range of Dominican products from crossing the border will cost the Dominican economy some US$500 million a year and increase the cost of living for thousands of Haitian families. According to the Haitian government, the ban is due to enter into effect on Thursday, 1 October 2015, but the Dominican government has received no official notification from the Haitian authorities.
Sadhala Khoury, president of the Dominican Export Association, says that Haitian consumers will be worst affected, as the cost of basic products will increase in Haiti.
According to the Haitian Ministry of Economy and Finance, the aim of the cross-border import ban on the 23 Dominican products is to improve the quality of imports and guarantee the safety of the Haitian people. The products will only be allowed to enter by sea or air.
The Haitian government has long complained that the products that cross the land border do not always pay duty, which affects the country’s economy.
Sadhala insisted that closing the border to Haiti’s main suppliers was not the way to improve the payment of the correct duty.
The Ministry warned that the 23 products, which include flour, pasta, oil, juice, bread, cement, metal bars, soap and detergent, would be banned from crossing the border from 1 October. Limits on the quantity that can be exported to Haiti have not been specified. It is unknown whether small quantities, such as those bought at the border markets, will be allowed in.
República Dominicana: Prohibición de Haití dejará pérdidas millonarias