He trade illicit remains a major threat to the economythe health public and sustainable development in the Dominican Republic. In a panel with experts from key sectors, the challenges, advances and solutions to confront this problem, which affects everything from the pharmaceutical industry to hydrocarbons, alcohol and tobacco, were discussed.
Ann Maria Martínez, representative of the brewing sector, addressed the impact of trade illicit and market distortion.
“It is not possible to compete with illegal products when formal companies must comply with strict quality and process standards,” he explained.
He also emphasized the need to simplify the system tax and educate the consumer about the risks associated with counterfeit products such as adulterated beverages.
On the other hand, Jaime Ángeles, advisor to the pharmaceutical sector, highlighted the importance of record sanitary as an essential tool to ensure the safety of medicines and related products. “He record sanitary It’s not just a simple record brand. It is a quite complex task that requires analysis and documentation of the product manufacturing site,” Ángeles explained.
The AIRD
Mario Pujols, executive vice president of the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD), stressed the importance of establishing clear protocols for the final disposal of merchandise seized by smuggling or counterfeiting: “The worst thing that could happen is that a seized product returns to the market,” Pujols said.
Industrialists understand that to continue fighting the trade illicit and the unfair competition Inter-institutional cooperation must be deepened, pointing out that authorities must work in a more unified manner because sometimes institutions act in isolation, which hinders the effectiveness of operations.
17-19
Law on the Eradication of Illicit Trade, Smuggling and Counterfeiting of Regulated Products.
Also, it should be adopted technologies for the traceability of products. He highlighted that each product has a different treatment. “The operations against smuggling tobacco, for example, must have clear protocols that guarantee the destruction of seized products.”
He added the need to create a regulations that addresses the trade illicit of other products that are not covered by Law No. 17-19, such as in the construction, plastic and textile industries, which are also being affected by this phenomenon.
Customs
The general director of CustomsEduardo Sanz Lovatón, stated that the objective of the actions carried out against this scourge is the establishment of the same rules of the game and equal conditions for all actors in the trade.
“It is good that everyone understands, that the good behavior tax and fiscal, is for the benefit of the entire Dominican society and of all the societies that have been represented in this conclave,” said Sanz Lovatón at the conclusion of the “International Workshop-Seminar on Illicit Trade and Unfair Competition”.
Also, Eric Perezrepresentative of the Dominican Association of the Cigarette Industry (Asocigar), advocated for greater protection of brands to maintain competitiveness and security in the market and stressed the importance of comprehensive regulation that covers both national and imported products.
