SANTO DOMINGO. – Foreign minister Carlos Morales said Dominican exports to the European market have topped US$600 million so far this year, which in his view is proof that signing the Association Economic Agreement (AAE) benefits country.

He said the profits are from banana, cacao, coffee, rum and lately sugar exports to the European Union, a market of 480 million consumers that, since the beginning of the year, began to receive provisionally Dominican products tariffs free. “This accomplishment is of significant importance for the Dominican Republic, especially at this time of economic crisis, that’s already felt at the world level.”

Morales, in a luncheon hosted for the presidents of the Senate and of the Chamber of Deputies, and the members of the Foreign Relations commissions, said once the Free Trade Agreement with Europe is ratified, the products and services of the pact’s signatory nations have access to the European Union market, free of duties and quotas.

As to the area of services, the official said many technicians, (cabinetmakers, plumbers, electricians, among others), as well as engineers and artists have been contracted for a period of six months, with automatic permits in several countries of Europe.