Market day in Dajabon, the city on the Haitian border in the northwestern corner of the Dominican Republic is a throwback to colonial times, with merchants plying their trade on street corners and public plazas. Every Monday and Friday, hundreds of merchants, in every way, shape and form, come to Dajabon from all over Haiti and the Dominican Republic to cover 25 street corners and trade their wares. Approximately 60% of all trade with Haiti takes place during these market days or across this frontier crossing into Ouanaminthe (Juana Mendez). The Jesuit Center for Refugees and Immigrants says that the total amount of cross-border trade is worth nearly US$80 million, but the CEI – the Dominican Center for Exports and Investments – says that the figure is closer to US$45 million. Studies carried out by the European Union indicate that about US$435,000 changes hands each market day, which would put the yearly total at just over US$45 million. While a huge market site was in the planning stages more than ten years ago, and the EU allocated funding for the construction, so far, not a brick has been laid. Reports dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries confirm that these “frontier fairs” have been held for hundreds of years, apparently in exactly the same manner as today, on the streets.