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Haiti - Economy : Towards a Haitian-Dominican Summit on smuggling ?
27/03/2019 13:01:21

Following the submission of the report of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on Illegal Trade at the Border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, organizations from the private sector of Haiti call for the holding of a presidential summit with the Dominican Republic to analyze the situation of contraband at the border, recommend and take the necessary measures.

The Haitian private sector in a document stating its position on the CSIS report recalls "[...] it is known to all that elected officials and people from the private business sector are involved in smuggling. Other steps must be taken to give confidence, to establish the rule of law and to create confidence among the population [...]"

Download the Haitian private sector position on the CSIS report : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/Position-SPH-Mars-2019-CSIS.pdf

According to the Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI), among others "President Jovenel Moïse must begin discussions with his counterpart Danilo Medina on the regulation of trade between the two country." Which would deprive Haiti of about $350 million a year in customs duties due to smuggling. According to official data, tariffs represent 31% of the Haitian national budget, so that contraband has a negative impact on state collection and therefore on the budget deficit.

"We strongly believe that a Presidential Summit should be organized to take concrete steps to regulate trade, but also migration, energy and the environment," said representatives of these chambers of commerce in a note.

Stressing the need for strong political will to fight the scourge of smuggling, they believe that the summit should go beyond the confluence of traditional actors in the public and private sectors and include universities, men and women. business, parliamentarians and political parties, as well as organizations defending human rights and migration.

The organizations, to which the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Haiti has joined, have sought the support of the Bilateral Joint Commission (CBM) and its subcommittees and have given them the necessary powers and resources to implement relevant recommendations.

However, for the Haitian private sector, the success of this approach will also depend on the continued support of the international community to provide additional funds for training and development.

SL/ HaitiLibre