This week at the National Palace, President a.i. Jocelerme Privert, met a delegation of various entities of the State and of private business sector around the problem of smuggling in Haiti.

Composed of representatives of the private sector business, the Minister of Commerce, Ms. Jessy C. Petit-Frère, of Minister of Justice, Me Camille Edouard Jr, of Director-General a.i. of the National Police of Haiti, Michel-Ange Gédéon, the Director General of Customs, Victor H. St. Louis and that of the General Tax Directorate (DGI), Morlan Muradin, the delegation was invited by the Head of State to decide on common strategies to combat the scourge of smuggling in Haiti.

After the meeting it was agreed that measures against smuggling would be submitted shortly by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, then communicated to the public. Another technical meeting is also scheduled with the MEF, Customs, the DGI, the PNH and the private business sector.

For its part the Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH) has once again reiterated its concerns this week, facing the rise of smuggling that develops on the border, which further deprive the treasury of tax revenue, generating unfair competition vis-à-vis local producers and prevent investment in areas affected by smuggling.

In a note, George B. Sassine, the President of the ADIH urges the Haitian government to regain control of four officially recognized crossing points for trade between the two countries by providing the adequate infrastructure for the control of goods and counteract smuggling.

Furthermore "ADIH strongly recommends keeping and even amplify the list of [Dominicans] products to be received only by sea in the ports equipped with correct customs structures.

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre