That trade between the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic is anecessary ingredient for their reaspective economies to grow isa given. They are dependent on each other in this respect. One has but to observe the market days in Dajabon and other border communities to verify this.
Granted that there is a great deal of "submerged" activitiy that takes place, but these trading centers are both necesary and welcomed by the participants on both sides of the border.
While realizing that there must be some form of control over the movements of goods and services between the two nations, both governments realize that "free trade" is, in truth, the answer both seek while maintaining surveilance of prohibited and undesirable activities.
The nations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic share a common "homeland" that is seperated by an extremely porous geographic border that must be policed to prevent incursions by prohibited and undesirable elements.

TB

DR is helping Haiti. Now the world must follow suit! DR can't do it alone but is willing to make a difference. The world has to step up and Haiti has to get it's house in order!!

ny4life you're right that DR is helping Haiti. But I hope you're not trying to make it sound as if Haiti hasn't done anything for the DR. Yes the DR's economy is much bigger than its neighbor's however the DR's economy has benefited greatly via Haitian-Dominican commerce.

I hope that this treaty doesn't end up in a trash bin, as it has been the fate of almost every treaty between Haiti and the DR in the past., due to the unbounded ambitions and greed of our politicos.

Both countries have benefited from trading. It's not just a one-sided deal. However, this trade agreement I believe will make it more fair by eliminating tariffs, creating structure, and providing more flexibility for trading. This is an important event and no one seems to talk about it. All people want to talk about is how DR doesn't want Haiti progress. It's clearly the opposite and DR has vouched numerous times at international forums for aid and logistical support to Haiti. It's in the best interest of both countries and through this agreement it shows you that the DR and Haiti are serious about working together for the greater good. Haiti needs the help and DR is creating the international platform for Haiti to be helped. The DR is not a superpower and can't help Haiti alone but it's creating opportunities for Haiti to be considered internationally for support. As DR grows Haiti will benefit also b/c the government is committed to helping Haiti establish a more stable country.

I see your point. I sincerely believe that the administrations of both countries are really trying to improve relations and help each other but only if the public could see it. Whatever the future holds I dont know, but the events that have been happening recently are a good start.

This is great news as TexasB has eloquently mentioned. DR and Haiti need each other to compete with others due to globalization. As Laurtaro, mentioned let's cross our fingers that the politicians don't stick there hands in the piggy bank too much. It's a known fact that corruption is a norm and must be battled in both countries. We should give a "good job well done" to Preval and & Fernandez these two have done alot to improve relationship of the two countries that share this beautiful island. Maybe the world will see that their divide and conquer tactics between haitians & dominicans will be a thing of the past.

WTF are we trading?
What does Haiti even have to trade?
Wood? No.
Aluminum? No.
Metals of any kind? No.
Copper? No.

Anything to trade?

I kinda see the point that capone is trying to make. The trade that goes on at the border markets is very basic: food, clothes and alcohol. Maybe a few of you have been to these, but for the others it all pretty much goes like this: early morning, the soldiers open up the border, you cross, set-up shop, spend the day selling and then pack up and go home. There is no taxes, no tarifs, no government presence... So this free trade agreement is a nice gesture, but it's just alot talk by our respective politicians.

As is the case with most trade agreements, the benefits depend upon what is made of it. If there are businesses prepared to find the needs of the marketplace they will benefit from this agreement. Obviously, all trade starts with basic needs. Hopefully, as economies grow the need for other, more complex, products will result. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Businesses, and the people who run them, are going to have to work to build the economies of both countries. If a quick fix hand-out is what is expected then no trade agreement is going to help. People need to get out of the mind-set of waiting for easy solutions. Haiti and the DR are facing some very difficult problems. But if we look at this agreement not as a bailout but as an opportunity, then prehaps it is possible for the people of both countries to benefit.

TB, I nearly agreed with with every word in your comment.

There are a few unsettled matters between Haiti and the DR, like the sinister collaboration between Hipolito, Leonel's US flunky predecessor, with the US imperialists behind "president" G.W. Bush Feb. 24, 2004 which allowed US-trained, armed, and financed mercenaries cross the border and overthrow the government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide, establish a US-imperialist backed dictatorship of Gerard Latorture, a permanent US, greencard-carrying, legal resident of Haitian origin, which in two years occasioned the deaths of over 20,000 patriotic Haitians who heroically resisted the US imperialist dictatorship, later disguised first as OAS "Democratic" Mission and then as a UN peacekeeping force.

Leonel would have never allowed this to happen. [Ditto the 300 DR troops in Iraq.]

Unlike the evil imperialists, the DR should atone for its role in the despicable aggression by payment of reparations or at least by an apology.

One of the reasons that the will of Haitian people finally prevailed in the Feb. 9, 2006, presidential election against the lies, deceit, and machinations of the US ambassador in Port-au-Prince, representing "president" Bush, is that Leonel, Caribbean Community, and hundred of thousands of patriotic Haitian people refused to bend-over to the transparent election fraud as some US citizens did to the massive 2000 election fraud in the USA.

But Leonel's outstanding performance in Feb.2006 does not alone atone for the DR's flunky role in the aggression in Feb. 2004.

The facts are that Aristides was as ineffective as "tits on a boar hog" had everything to do with the 2003-04 "civil war" in Haiti. That, coupled with the incipient corruption of the Aristides "government" created an atmosphere of chaos in that nation. I would remint readers, no sense in doing so with Belial because his mind is made up, that it was the UN and their member nationswhich thwarted the insurrection perpetrated by the opposition that was iterrupted andthe country brought to a partial stability, creating the atmosphere for general elections to be held.
There were plenty of local "war lords" which attempted to usurp the suthority of theUN during the"cooling off period" which followed Aristides' removal and transport to an accepting nation. Of that there weren'tmany, you will recall. no one wanted him.
As to "other" accusations by Belial, he gets his facts twisted on purpose to fit his own agenda as he always does. Poor guy just can't seem to interpret facts honestly.

The goods and services offered in Dajabon come from all parts of Haiti, so thebenefit derived from this "trade" serves the entire nation. And they need the exchange of goods fro hard currency.
Contuation of this trade between the DR and Haiti will eventually blossom into things other than what is currently being offered, of that I am certain.
While living in Manzanillo, I visited this market on a weekly basis anddid most of my shopping there, mostly for fruits and fresh veggies for my own consumption. That was mostly what was available at the begining. Later, i noticed that itemsoffered were greatly expanded to include clothing, electrical appliances (mostly used) and other items at really bargain prices. While much of theitems were probably originally donated from various charity organizations in theUS, there were a few which were obviously new. The latter offerings showed a marked expansion in inventory by the time I left for Santiago some 4 years later.
Just for the record.
TB

Leonel Fernandez goverment is the most high class goverment in DR, He is the only one trying to do everyhing by the book.

Haitians should apreciate, praise and respect this step on behalf of the Dominican goverment, any other goverment would care less about Haiti.

This also goes for haitians that hate Dominican Republic and the present goverment.

JRRubirosa, let's see if I have this right,. You're saying that all Haitians, both those who hate Lionel and those who do not care one way or the other, should be forced to bow down in praise of Lionel, and pay tribute to his administration, since he is really the only guy who does things by the book? Well gee, I guess that makes sense. There is certainly a precedent for this type of edict. As I recall, there was a similiar situation in the 1950s and 1960s. There could even be a parsley test to ensure total compliance. But as enlightened and nobel as this idea may sound, I'm afraid you couldn't really pull it off now. There's just too many of those goody-goody UN types hanging around, looking out for that kind of behavior. Boy, if only we could go back to those good old days, eh JR?

"That, coupled with the incipient corruption of the Aristides "government" created an atmosphere of chaos in that nation."

0000

Aristide is saintly compared to the mentally unstable and morally perversed "president" George W. Bush who lies even about climate change, Iraq, and the Oval Office-hooker Jeff Gannon.

TB, I haven't heard you advocate actions against G.W. Bush similar to those you defend against Aristide.

When US reactionaries caught President Bill Clinton with Monica Lewinsky , they wanted to impeach him.

But when they caught "president" George Bush with Jeff Gannon, they salivated, panted, and attacked the congressional pages.

[I say "president" for Bush because he and his GOPs stole the United States in 2000 and 2004.]

To Belial: agree 100% also George Bush (Jr) is a killer and should be impeached too.

He lied to the whole planet with all the BS about Irak, it's not about terrorism (this War) is about $$$, investments and interests that this goverment, its republican companies and a very strong lobby group has in DC, Washington.

Don't want to mention this particular etnia because every time anybody point them out They are right away victims, but in the past and specially now They are the ones that control, manipulate and focus all the resources to control the middle east and protect their UGh UGh their motherland.

Thanks, JRRubirosa.

0000

TB, back to you.

I understand that Bill Clinton used a cigar on Monica Lewinsky ... specifically a Montecristo No.1, the real Cuban thing, not one of those foul DR counterfeits.

I don't know what George Bush used on Jeff Gannon. If it was a cigar, it was most likely a El Producto Escepcionales.

If so, then George made Jeff a life-long GOP.

TB, is there any truth in the rumor that John McCain wants to appoint Jeff Gannon secretary of the interior?

don't know anything about cigars. I smoke cigarettes.

TB

To belial: keep also in mind thas most of the cigars sold in the US are made in Dominican Republic due to the embargo with Cuba.

Carlos fuente family has tobacco business in DR and they made themselves wealthy by dealing cigars made in Dominican Rep.

I know there is lots of counterfeit cigars out there but right now DR is competing almost head to head with cuban cigars.

Don't get me wrong (Cuban cigars are the best worldwide) and I smoke too occasionally but Dominican cigars are made of good quality and crafmantship too (Original ones)

To davidjule, you are right, this agreement might mean much right now but who knows what tomorrow will bring right? As for more complex products, I'd be happy with more cement for reconstruction and electricity.

Bilial and JR remind me of the famous comedy act of Stalin / Hilter during the later's Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact period. Here we have what appears to be a fire-breathing communist paired with an apparent rabid brown-shirted fascist. A very odd couple indeed, but, what the heck, any bed-fellow must be better than no bed-fellow, especially since both obviously know so much about Cuban cigars.

"a fire-breathing communist ?"

0000

I've been called worst things than a red dragon.

To davidjule: Thanks for the compliment.............................