In a note, the Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH) said that since always its mission was to defend the national production and the jobs it generates. To this end it fights constantly smuggling, real plague to the national economy. In this context, let's recall that on 1 October 2015, the Government of Haiti, in accordance with domestic producers, economic actors and government bodies concerned, decided to ban the import by road transport of 23 products from the Republic Dominican and authorize imports of the them entirely by sea or air, for better customs and phytosanitary control. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-15156-haiti-notice-import-ban-by-road-of-certain-products-from-dr.html

However, this measure was strongly contested by the Dominican Government, exporters and truckers unions in the neighboring Republic, which demanded the unconditional withdrawal of the decision https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-15487-haiti-social-the-desperation-and-hunger-affect-haitians-at-the-border.html

ADIH is dismayed to learn that following the visit of the new Dominican Chancellor Miguel Vargas Maldonado, on August 30, this transport restrictive measure is about to be lifted https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18477-haiti-flash-haiti-will-lift-road-transport-ban-for-dr.html at the expense of domestic industries. It urges once again the Government not to sacrifice the country and do not comply with the Dominicans wishes.

For its part, the Economic Forum of the Private Sector, which denounces and fights, also systematically contraband which is practiced on the Haitian-Dominican border, abounds in this direction. It points out that if this restriction is lifted, the domestic private sector will not be able to face unfair competition that will sweep Haiti and that will result in "loss of jobs, lower tax revenues and the disappearance of national investors..."

The Forum strongly urges the Government to maintain this restriction in place, to protect Haitian consumers, entrepreneurs and domestic investors.

SL/ HaitiLibre