The US House of Representatives Ways and Means Subcommittee voted by voice yesterday to extend to the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean and Central American nations many of the trade conditions that apply to Mexico and Canada under the North American Free Trade Agreement. The legislation was approved to boost nations in the area that were hard hit by hurricanes Georges and Mitch last year. The bill would expand the items that enter the US duty-free under the Caribbean Basin Initiative act. The DR will mostly benefit from the export of handbags, textiles and apparel that would be included is the final bill is passed. Some restrictions apply. The provision states that textile products from the area will be only admitted duty free if they are made from fabric formed and cut in the US. A final bill must yet be approved by the legislators.
