He Government announced the decision to maintain the current conditions for the import of rice from the signatory countries of the DR-Caftasuspending the elimination of tariffs that was scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025.
The measure was detailed by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs, Víctor Bisonó (Ito), who explained that it seeks to protect the production rice industry, a sector that generates more than 30,000 jobs direct and 300,000 indirect, with an annual economic impact of more than 45,000 million pesos.
The strategy will be carried out through decree No. 693-24, signed by President Luis Abinader, which establishes a set of tariff measures to safeguard the production national. Article 1 of the decree establishes that the products of rice they will have a tariff of 20% within the quota established by the Dominican Republic in the World Trade Organization (WTO). Outside of this quota, a tariff 99% ad valorem.
In the specific case of USAin article 2 a preferential quota of 23,300 metric tons of rice for your import with a tariff of 0%. However, outside of this quota, the tariff of Most Favored Nation (MFN), which reaches 99% ad valorem.
Article 3 establishes that the products of rice originating from Nicaragua They will be subject to the same 99% tariff treatment under the Most Favored Nation regime.
The minister explained the decision, specifying that the priority of Government is to protect the production local: “As long as there is production of rice into the country, the entry of any other grain, and not only in the case of ricebut also other products, will be governed, supervised and regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture,” said Bisonó.
“We have communicated to our international allies the measure that is being taken”MICM holder
Validity of the decree
The decree clarifies that the measures will remain in force until the National Council for Sovereignty and Food Safety and Nutritional (Conassan) recommends otherwise, based on a new report prepared by the Technical Secretariat of Sovereignty and Food Safety and Nutrition.
According to Bisonó, the local strategy does not contravene any of the provisions of the agreement international. In fact, the minister highlighted that this has been the solution adopted by other countries. “We have communicated to our allies international the measure we are taking. They are the same arguments that these countries have used to defend their products in a similar way, under the same umbrella of the agreements international“he stated.
23,300
metric tons of rice originating in the United States will be able to enter the country without tariffs.
Marcelo Reyes, president of Fenrice was satisfied with the support of the Governmenthighlighting that the cereal production local is sufficiently competitive for its quality. However, he recognized the impact that tariff relief would bring.
He argued that the country is self-sufficient, with figures of harvest which will reach approximately 14 million quintals this year. He maintained that it is enough to supply the consumption national, make up for the increase in consumption due to tourism, demand from Haiti and reserves for special situations.
