The European Union recognized seven Dominican companies for having taken advantage of the benefits of the EPA agreement, when exporting or importing goods and services
Since the signing of Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in 2008, bilateral trade between the Dominican Republic and the European Union has increased by 160%, reaching a historical maximum of 3.428 million euros last year, which indicates the good health of the country’s trade with the countries of the European continent.
In addition, thanks to the agreement, the DR is the main trading partner of the EU in the Caribbean, as well as the main destination of investments in the region.
The remarks were made yesterday by the EU ambassador in Santo Domingo, Katja Afheldt, at the head of the fifth installment of the EPA Awards, with which seven companies were recognized for having taken advantage of the benefits of the agreement, by exporting or importing goods and services.
He said that the EPA has contributed to the diversification of Dominican exports to the EU and to the attraction of foreign investment in the country given the free access to the European market for Dominican products, with the subsequent creation of employment and increase in the levels of rent.
“It has contributed not only to the intensification of commercial exchanges, but also to the development and growth of the country as a whole. We must also recognize the punctual and efficient implementation of the Dominican Republic of the agreement and the obligations that emanate from it, which clearly places it ahead of the rest of the CARICOM countries, ”he said.
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“The prospects for our bilateral trade are rosy. On the one hand, the DR continues to grow at a vigorous pace, and has shown remarkable resilience and resilience during and after the pandemic. The good moment of tourism in the country and the strength of its free zones, both sectors at all-time highs, escape no one. The country has been consolidating itself as a logistics “hub” of the Caribbean given its many competitive advantages and many possibilities open up in the nearshoring process,” he explained.
Afheldt noted that despite the country’s taking advantage of the trade agreement, remnants of healthy production and energy transition persist, in which the European Union will continue its support.
“Producing in a more sustainable way can be a challenge for our partners because we have quite high standards,” he explained.
Awards
The seven companies recognized in different categories were: Larimar Films, Centro Cuesta Nacional, Honey Banana Fresh, Hacienda Doña María Mercado, Rizek Cacaoi, Ly Company Caribe and Braun Medical.
With these recognitions, the EU seeks to value the advantages of the agreement and the companies that benefit from it.
It is also intended to encourage more companies in the DR to diversify their exportable offer. All this in addition to continuing to strengthen economic, commercial and investment ties.
