Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas said on 19 December 2017 that seven countries have expressed their interest in formalizing a preferential trade agreement with the Dominican Republic. He mentioned Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Jamaica and Mexico.
Negotiations for a free trade agreement were advanced with Canada, but were filed when the option of a free trade agreement with the United States became a priority and the DR-CAFTA agreement. Today the DR has preferential trade agreements with Europe (EPA) and Caricom countries and a partial scope trade agreement with Panama.
The announcement by Vargas was made when he gave the talk: “Vision of a Ministry of Foreign Relations Focused on Increasing Economic Diplomatic Ties. Challenges, Opportunities and the Export Sector” during the Christmas luncheon organized by the Dominican Association of Exporters (Adoexpo).
Vargas said that new trade negotiations would not be started or resumed without the approval of the private sector and the necessary mandate, fulfilling the guidelines of the National Commission of Trade Negotiations. He mentioned talks are ongoing to add new products and services to the Partial Scope Agreement with Panama.
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El Dia
20 December 2017
