El Siglo newspaper reports that the government plans to submit to Congress a proposal for the reduction of import tariffs. The government proposes to reduce these to a maximum four levels, with a maximum at 20%. The 20% tax would apply to finished goods, 14% to semi-finished goods, 8% to goods to be finished in the DR, and 3% for the import of capital goods, such as machinery. At present, the tariffs structure provides for 0% for agricultural inputs and textiles, 3% for medicines and basic food stuffs, 5% for pharmaceutical products and publications, 10% for more elaborate food products, construction materials and sporting goods; 15% for semi-finished raw material, such as cement, and 20% for all products that compete with national production. There are also 20, 30 and 35% taxes on meat, alcoholic beverages, cigars, vehicles, appliances, jewelry, shoes, antiques, and others.
