The shared border poses a major advantage for a free trade agreement between Haiti, Dominican Republic. Photo by Alexandra Pope.
SANTO DOMINGO. – The possibility that Dominican Republic and Haiti could sign a free trade agreement as early as next year is being met with approval by commercial, governmental and industrial sectors, as well as economists and poultry producers, newspaper El Caribe said Sunday.
The National Council for Private Enterprise (Conep), the Association of Young Business Leaders, Secretary of Industry and Commerce Melanio Paredes, the Federation of Industrial Associations (FAI), economist Hugo Rivera and the Association of Poultry Producers of the North, agree that the negotiation process would yield positive results, but that the idea merits deep study.
Lisando Macarrulla, president of Conep, said Haiti as a market has great importance for Dominican Republic and presents the advantage of being accessible by overland routes. However, he suggested analyzing the agreements established by the European Economic Community and Caricom with respect to Haiti because “we would have to consider aspects beyond the purely commercial,” he said.
Paredes said the countries of the European Union have always connected the economic destinies of Haiti and Dominican Republic and at times have expected this country to do more for the other than what they were able to. “Any initiative undertaken as an island would formalize our commercial relations, which surpass US$700 million, and would help with the disappearance of cartels, spurious mechanisms and other elements characteristic of informal commerce.”
Pablo Piantini, president of Anje, said each country would have to come to the negotiating table, defend their products, and define appropriate parameters for the phasing out of tariffs. He added, “An agreement with [Haiti] would be better than with the European Union, even with its additional 25 countries.”
FAI president Ignacio Méndez agreed, saying Dominican Republic had an obligation to sign an agreement with Haiti before any other nation due to the nature of their commerce.
From: Dominican Republic
The Europeans are using economy trade (carrots) as way to push for the unification of the two republics! More Haitians are going to cross over to DR under the excuse of Free trade. Do not allow the destruction of DR and the efforts taken to this point to preserve the forest, the industrial growth in telecommunication and tourism, stable democracy, and not to forget remittances from the US/Spain go to waste by mingling with that failed state called Haiti! Nothing good can come out of this but only the dissappearance of what makes DR Dominican Republic! Don't put capitalism or commerce ahead of the national interests of DR and the discipline it took to keep DR moving forward despite all the political troubles and Haitian invasions (1801, 1805, 1822, 1845, 1849, and 1855) in the past!
Written by: buenoha, 25 Feb 2008 3:59 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
Hey man there is nothing wrong with improving economic relations with Haiti! Don't be a bad neighbour... We can offer them our products and vice versa, trade has made many countries rich! Don't be narrow-minded!
From: United States, Port Washington, LI (New York)
Greenwave: I agree with You, Haiti has a right of survival as a nation since their inhabitants are human beings that need to be helped by the UN and everybody.
But Why I need to see from the Haitian goverment is being more proactive showing a motivation and will to improve conditions in Haiti.
We do have a right to fight for our well being before sacrificing more that We have already done.
Eventhough is not related to this news just read that a Haitian Drugdealing band kidnapped a Dominican businessman, and these are the issues that Haitian goverment need to improve before We seal the border and tight harder the entry in our country since things are going out of hand lately.
I think things are going to get worse in the border living so I hope that the Dominican Military forces do a better job in the near future.
We have the 10 new "Super tucan" airplanes coming so hopefully We can do a better job watching for our security over the island
Written by: antonioj, 25 Feb 2008 3:02 PM
From: Canada, home safe
Mr Greenwave we know your anti anything, but Haitians positions quite well, I have debated you several time, and I have shown you poor understanding of issue affecting Haiti and DR included, so keep your lonely crusade to yourself.
Your understanding of macro and micro economic is limited, thus difficult for you to graps simple economic equations.
Now, if you can figure out the five point below how do they relate to free trade, then you may understand why the eeuu prefer to deal with one island
1. Market size 2. custom 2.duplication 3.expertise 4. cost 5. labor
Your tactic of fear mongering is unfounded, and is fed by your ignorance ONLY. Free trade and immigration are not intertwined, unlike RRubirosa you even fail to understand a better off Haiti will lessen the pressure of DR. I am against illegal immigration to DR
Keep living in the past and keep bringing invasion to justify your shallow stupidity you have post ed above, read, learn and get an education.
Written by: macho, 25 Feb 2008 3:03 PM
From: Canada
greenwave should not also forget that Haitians were the first to free all slaves in the Dominican, and that they provided Dominicans with arms and sanctuary in the 1863 war of independence against Spain, who planned to reinstate slavery.
From: Haiti
This is funny. So many comments from people from rich countries, all pro-Haitian... Any of you fine gentleman ever stopped to consider that the average Haitian (read: not a politician) does not want free trade. Globalization is a dirty word in the slums of Cité Soleil and Cap Haitien.
Written by: antonioj, 25 Feb 2008 4:29 PM
From: Canada, home safe
Haiti is important economic market for DR
Excerpt from article Dominican today
“
In such a case, according to Homero Figueroa of Diario Libre, then Haiti would be the nation's second largest trading partner. The latest report issued by the Center for Exports and Investment (CEI-DR) shows that Dominican exports have passed the US$1.5 billion mark for the first time, a significant improvement
http://www.dr1.com/trade/articles/262/1/Haiti...“
Excerpt from Trade theory and practice By Steven Suranovic
“
The higher price received for each country's comparative advantage good would lead each country to specialize in that good. To accomplish this, labor would have to move from the comparative disadvantaged industry into the comparative advantage industry. This means that one industry goes out of business in each country. However, because the model assumes full employment and costless mobility of labor, all of these workers are immediately gainfully employed in the other cont1
Written by: antonioj, 25 Feb 2008 4:31 PM
From: Canada, home safe
cont2
industry.(
“
From the site of international trade theory and policy
http://internationalecon.com/Trade/Tch40/T40-... Greenwave have no credential in economic matter, and should not even be entrusted with grocery purchase, even less advising a forum
There are more information available on the web regarding free trade US and Canada, Mexico , eeu ignoramus like Greenwave can read. Trade partners can create opt out option, if DR & H choose respectively to immigration, and other weak sectors.
Written by: antonioj, 25 Feb 2008 7:23 PM
From: Canada, home safe
Does Greenwave understand what he reads ?
"quote
"Pablo Piantini, president of Anje, said each country would have to come to the NEGOTIATING table, DEFEND their products, and define appropriate PARAMETERS for the phasing out of tariffs. He added, “An agreement with [Haiti] would be BETTER than with the European Union, even with its additional 25 countries.”
FAI president Ignacio Méndez agreed, saying Dominican Republic had an obligation to sign an agreement with Haiti before any other nation due to the nature of their commerce.
"unquote
Mr Lautaro have eloquently predicted free market will come one day in his previous commentary in this forum, you fail to understand that economic advantages have outweight nationalistic ideology, look around DR Microsoft , AT&T, Mcdonald, Hilton, share holders care about the bottom line and have no affiliations. As it stand right now free trade will only benefit DR, H have a big trade deficit to DR advantage, 2009 is way too early.
Written by: santanar, 25 Feb 2008 9:04 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Ramon Santana, La Romana
We don't need a free trade with Haiti, we been free trading as far back as we go
Written by: Lautaro, 25 Feb 2008 10:45 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
It'll be a foolish thing for the DR to ignore the advantages that it would get by with this Free Trade Agreement, mr. antonioj, considering that, of all the countries that the DR is currently trading with, Haiti is the only market in which the DR benefits itself, because with the others the DR buys (imports) more than what it sells (exports), specially in the trade with the US, in which the DR's agricultural exports are heavily restricted with the heavy inspections and regulations of the FDA, and not all of them get the chance of actually leaving the ports into markets properly speaking.
From: Haiti
Lautaro,
It would be suicidal if DR ignores FTA with Haiti which dominican government benefits tremendously unlike the failed DR-CAFTA due to what you've mentioned above. Now my concern is how is this going to benefit the average haitian & average dominican? I think a FTA agreement with the two countries should be implemented with strict regulations of tariffs & which products can be exported under the agreement. Another thing one should take into consideration is safety & corruption. These are important issues that should be addressed.
Written by: Lautaro, 26 Feb 2008 10:48 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
Even though Dajabon is regarded as one of the safest provinces of the Republic, there have been a lot complains by haitian and dominican merchants stating that they have suffered greatly at the hands of binational bands of brigands, which have robbed them time and again the products of hard day's work. Regarding corruption, I think that, as the border case shows, the dominican armed forces sorely need a profound reform, one that needs to include: a) Reduction of its numbers (too large an army for so little a country) b) More strict tests for the people applying for a job in the armed forces (literacy and human rights tests, etc.) and c) a salary rise for the common soldier, one that allows him/her to live decently and not merely survive til the next month as it is the case, and which explains the motivations of the common soldier to get himself entangled in acts of corruption, because, let's be serious, how can the establishment expect the common guard to survive with only 3,000 (cont)
Written by: Lautaro, 26 Feb 2008 10:52 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
(cont...) with only 3,000 a month? It also needs to leave behind the Cold War mindframe of seeing the common citizen as the enemy that needs to be put down.
On the haitian case, the UN needs to accelerate the training of the police corps in order to enable it to take control of the security of that country's borders on the short run, because, even though their interdiction work have been impressive, there's still a lot of work to be done on that department. Also it would help if the US Army South Command were to take their job of patrolling the island's coast more seriously, because, as of recent years, the South American drug lords have been converting the island into an important outpost (if not an outright stronghold) in their merchandise route to the US mainland.
From: Haiti
Lautaro,
I agree with everything you mentioned above. There must be reform and qualified recrutes need apply although they are scarce. I think the dominican army needs restructuring as you mentioned but making it smaller might be a detriment to society since these ex-soldiers will need work and will turn over to full time employees of ______. I think Haiti needs to re-establish its army to combat crime & have a personal group patrolling the border such as CESFRONT. I think the cartel has had a strong held for over a decade but are now unstoppable which both countries need to eradicate.
Now FTA will be a great thing for both countries which can compete TOGETHER against other Latin American countries and would give haitians & dominicans a stronger hold to negotiate with EU. I see this a great thing and long over due although there are many obstacles to overcome..
From: Canada
Hey greenwave, you sure have it right if you want to see the living result of this kind of situation or
deal just come to Toronto or Mississauga especially Malton, Ontario, Canada. There you will see
1000 of Jamaicans, drug dealing, stealing, ingnorant of any manners or politeness, unemployable.....that's what happen when you open the flood gates.
Written by: antonioj, 2 Dec 2008 5:29 PM
From: Canada, home safe
Quote from what I posted in feb 25 2008
Your understanding of macro and micro economic is limited, thus difficult for you to graps simple economic equations. Now, if you can figure out the five point below how do they relate to free trade, then you may understand why the eeuu prefer to deal with one island.
1. Market size 2. custom 2.duplication 3.expertise 4. cost 5. labor
Haiti is important economic market for DR
Excerpt from article Dominican today
“
In such a case, according to Homero Figueroa of Diario Libre, then Haiti would be the nation's second largest trading partner. The latest report issued by the Center for Exports and Investment (CEI-DR) shows that Dominican exports have passed the US$1.5 billion mark for the first time, a significant improvement
http://www.dr1.com/trade/articles/262/1/Haiti... cont1
Written by: antonioj, 2 Dec 2008 6:21 PM
From: Canada, home safe
Au contraire Mr Etienne I do not believe Mr Arkatype is a racist, he suffer from low self estimed couple with a lack of education , and overwhelmed with hopelessness, identity confusion and self-protective withdrawal.
Dominicans are among my best friends... so pandejo like arkatype may want to stop the clowning around, I will be first to admint that I do have prejudices, however we should learn to control our impulse and be good citizen.
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But Why I need to see from the Haitian goverment is being more proactive showing a motivation and will to improve conditions in Haiti.
We do have a right to fight for our well being before sacrificing more that We have already done.
Eventhough is not related to this news just read that a Haitian Drugdealing band kidnapped a Dominican businessman, and these are the issues that Haitian goverment need to improve before We seal the border and tight harder the entry in our country since things are going out of hand lately.
I think things are going to get worse in the border living so I hope that the Dominican Military forces do a better job in the near future.
We have the 10 new "Super tucan" airplanes coming so hopefully We can do a better job watching for our security over the island
Your understanding of macro and micro economic is limited, thus difficult for you to graps simple economic equations.
Now, if you can figure out the five point below how do they relate to free trade, then you may understand why the eeuu prefer to deal with one island
1. Market size 2. custom 2.duplication 3.expertise 4. cost 5. labor
Your tactic of fear mongering is unfounded, and is fed by your ignorance ONLY. Free trade and immigration are not intertwined, unlike RRubirosa you even fail to understand a better off Haiti will lessen the pressure of DR. I am against illegal immigration to DR
Keep living in the past and keep bringing invasion to justify your shallow stupidity you have post ed above, read, learn and get an education.
Excerpt from article Dominican today
“
In such a case, according to Homero Figueroa of Diario Libre, then Haiti would be the nation's second largest trading partner. The latest report issued by the Center for Exports and Investment (CEI-DR) shows that Dominican exports have passed the US$1.5 billion mark for the first time, a significant improvement http://www.dr1.com/trade/articles/262/1/Haiti...
“
Excerpt from Trade theory and practice By Steven Suranovic
“
The higher price received for each country's comparative advantage good would lead each country to specialize in that good. To accomplish this, labor would have to move from the comparative disadvantaged industry into the comparative advantage industry. This means that one industry goes out of business in each country. However, because the model assumes full employment and costless mobility of labor, all of these workers are immediately gainfully employed in the other cont1
industry.(
“
From the site of international trade theory and policy
http://internationalecon.com/Trade/Tch40/T40-...
Greenwave have no credential in economic matter, and should not even be entrusted with grocery purchase, even less advising a forum
There are more information available on the web regarding free trade US and Canada, Mexico , eeu ignoramus like Greenwave can read. Trade partners can create opt out option, if DR & H choose respectively to immigration, and other weak sectors.
"quote
"Pablo Piantini, president of Anje, said each country would have to come to the NEGOTIATING table, DEFEND their products, and define appropriate PARAMETERS for the phasing out of tariffs. He added, “An agreement with [Haiti] would be BETTER than with the European Union, even with its additional 25 countries.”
FAI president Ignacio Méndez agreed, saying Dominican Republic had an obligation to sign an agreement with Haiti before any other nation due to the nature of their commerce.
"unquote
Mr Lautaro have eloquently predicted free market will come one day in his previous commentary in this forum, you fail to understand that economic advantages have outweight nationalistic ideology, look around DR Microsoft , AT&T, Mcdonald, Hilton, share holders care about the bottom line and have no affiliations. As it stand right now free trade will only benefit DR, H have a big trade deficit to DR advantage, 2009 is way too early.
It would be suicidal if DR ignores FTA with Haiti which dominican government benefits tremendously unlike the failed DR-CAFTA due to what you've mentioned above. Now my concern is how is this going to benefit the average haitian & average dominican? I think a FTA agreement with the two countries should be implemented with strict regulations of tariffs & which products can be exported under the agreement. Another thing one should take into consideration is safety & corruption. These are important issues that should be addressed.
On the haitian case, the UN needs to accelerate the training of the police corps in order to enable it to take control of the security of that country's borders on the short run, because, even though their interdiction work have been impressive, there's still a lot of work to be done on that department. Also it would help if the US Army South Command were to take their job of patrolling the island's coast more seriously, because, as of recent years, the South American drug lords have been converting the island into an important outpost (if not an outright stronghold) in their merchandise route to the US mainland.
I agree with everything you mentioned above. There must be reform and qualified recrutes need apply although they are scarce. I think the dominican army needs restructuring as you mentioned but making it smaller might be a detriment to society since these ex-soldiers will need work and will turn over to full time employees of ______. I think Haiti needs to re-establish its army to combat crime & have a personal group patrolling the border such as CESFRONT. I think the cartel has had a strong held for over a decade but are now unstoppable which both countries need to eradicate.
Now FTA will be a great thing for both countries which can compete TOGETHER against other Latin American countries and would give haitians & dominicans a stronger hold to negotiate with EU. I see this a great thing and long over due although there are many obstacles to overcome..
deal just come to Toronto or Mississauga especially Malton, Ontario, Canada. There you will see
1000 of Jamaicans, drug dealing, stealing, ingnorant of any manners or politeness, unemployable.....that's what happen when you open the flood gates.
Your understanding of macro and micro economic is limited, thus difficult for you to graps simple economic equations. Now, if you can figure out the five point below how do they relate to free trade, then you may understand why the eeuu prefer to deal with one island.
1. Market size 2. custom 2.duplication 3.expertise 4. cost 5. labor
Haiti is important economic market for DR
Excerpt from article Dominican today
“
In such a case, according to Homero Figueroa of Diario Libre, then Haiti would be the nation's second largest trading partner. The latest report issued by the Center for Exports and Investment (CEI-DR) shows that Dominican exports have passed the US$1.5 billion mark for the first time, a significant improvement http://www.dr1.com/trade/articles/262/1/Haiti... cont1
Dominicans are among my best friends... so pandejo like arkatype may want to stop the clowning around, I will be first to admint that I do have prejudices, however we should learn to control our impulse and be good citizen.