Following the recent statements in Haiti, of Private Sector Economic Forum https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17296-haiti-economy-haiti-paradise-of-smuggling.html that demand that is prohibited of import by road of 22 additional products from the Dominican Republic in addition to the 23 products already banned since October 2015 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-15156-haiti-notice-import-ban-by-road-of-certain-products-from-dr.html , the Dajabón border market operators say they are very worried by this new threat, claiming that if the Haitian government accepts this request, it will mean the end of the trade at the border.

Note that for its part, the Economic Forum says that this measure has created no shortage or price increase in Haiti, which is quite far from the reality experienced by border communities who live mainly of commerce https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-15487-haiti-social-the-desperation-and-hunger-affect-haitians-at-the-border.html

Haitian and Dominican merchants of market of Dajabón, recall that the binational trade that take place twice a week in the border area, decreased by almost 70% since the implementation of this transport ban of goods by road, prohibition which encouraged smuggling, violence and soaring prices.

Given this risk of further ban, merchants of the two countries call on the Haitian authorities to not give in to blackmail of this powerful Haitian private sector, which according to them, only seek to grow through a monopoly, they want to impose on Haiti.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17296-haiti-economy-haiti-paradise-of-smuggling.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-15487-haiti-social-the-desperation-and-hunger-affect-haitians-at-the-border.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-15438-haiti-flash-violent-demonstration-at-the-border.html

SL/ HaitiLibre