Close Gallery
Zoom Picture

Santo Domingo.- A former Haiti diaspora minister on Thursday urged the Dominican and Haitian authorities to seek solutions to the border markets’ problems and rebuked Haitian prime minister Laurent Lamothe’s announcement to shutter them as a measure to halt smuggling and generate more revenue for his country.

"Unilateral decisions on issues as sensitive and important to the island’s life have never been appropriate," said Edwin Paraison of the cross border markets, which according to NGOs move an estimated US$2.0 billion annually, but affirms also mean US$500.0 million in losses for Port-au-Prince.

Nonetheless the also president of the Zile Foundation called Lamothe’s concerns over smuggling at the border "legitimate" but warned it mustn’t ever be confused with goods in containers and from merchants at those markets.

In a statement to DT, Paraison noted that long before president Michael Martelly’s current administration mayors of Haiti border towns have complained the weekly markets only benefit the Dominican side, adding that their demand to stage them one day on each side is fair.

Share / Recommend this article: FacebookFacebook Digg thisDigg this del.icio.usdel.icio.us TechnoratiTechnorati YahooYahoo Facebook
COMMENTS
8 comment(s)
Written by: Trinitario809, 29 Jun 2012 11:13 AM
From: United States


.....and reality finally sets in.
Written by: KISKEYAMAN, 29 Jun 2012 8:49 PM
From: Haiti
This former Haiti diaspora minister, cannot do something. This prime minister, don't have any choice that to close the market.
You will respect soon HAITI, I TOLD YOU THAT.
Written by: Trinitario809, 30 Jun 2012 12:42 PM
From: United States


......And delusion makes Haitianaman rant once again. :P
Written by: DONT_BE_SILENT, 30 Jun 2012 3:36 PM
From: Dominican Republic, NEVER FORGOTTEN, NEVER FORSAKEN!
Mark my words, if they close the market, their own people is going to turn against them.

CLOSE THE MARKET WE WILL SEE WHAT KIND OF RESPECT THIS DOUCHE IS TALKING ABOUT.
Written by: KISKEYAMAN, 30 Jun 2012 4:00 PM
From: Haiti
Ok you will see.
THE MARKET OF THE SIDE OF HAITI, don't bring money for the HAITIANS. WHY THE HAITIANS OF THE BORDER WILL TURN AGAINST THEM?
A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE ASK THAT.
HERE THE PEOPLE ARE SO TIRED WITH THE ARROGANCE OF THE DOMINICANS PEOPLE. AND IT's time to stop the smuggling. The money of the smuggling go to the DR.
Written by: Beau305, 1 Jul 2012 11:13 AM
From: United States, Fort bragg north carolina
If they close that Market the Dominican Business men are going to turn against their government cause they export more in Haiti than any other country worldwide that's a reality.Now those Haitians would stop being lazy work their lands to feed their people.they're on their side,you're on your side and life goes on.
Written by: DONT_BE_SILENT, 1 Jul 2012 3:41 PM
From: Dominican Republic, NEVER FORGOTTEN, NEVER FORSAKEN!
So be it.

Written by: Arcangel96, 2 Jul 2012 1:20 PM
From: Dominican Republic
@KISKEYAMAN,

This is a two way street. Both parties are benefiting from this trade. The problem is that the people that are benefiting the most, does not want it to be regulated by neither Dominican Rep and/or Haiti. The money that could be gain, by taxing these goods, could serve to improve the lives of people living on the border.

Post Your Comment | Not a member? Create your account | Lost your password?
Write your opinion here. Please keep your comment relevant to this article. Please note that any comments which contain offensive language or discriminatory expressions may be edited/removed.
You must log in to post a comment:
Username Password