Despite the constant protests and conflicts that take place in Haiticommercial exchange with the Dominican Republic is maintained, but in the opinion of the president of the National Council of Private Enterprise (Conep), Pedro Brache, the deterioration of the Haitian situation goes far beyond the economic, “and is destroying the base of its State.”
“Obviously it affects formal and informal commercial exchange. But, I insist, it is a secondary issue when we observe the aggravated deterioration of the situation of Haiti“said the executive of the Conep.
Brache indicated to Free Journal that weeks ago expressed their solidarity with the approach of the Haitian Employers’ Group calling for the efforts and commitment of the Haitian productive sector and the country’s authorities to take firm action to put an end to the political and economic stagnation, and to the situation of violence and citizen insecurity that plague this nation.
“The international community must not only place this priority issue on its agenda, but also develop an action plan that helps Haiti to recover the path of progress”, emphasized the head of the Conep.
How has the trade been?
Data published by the Export and Investment Center of the Dominican Republic (ProDominicana) indicate that between January-August 2022 Haiti It was the third destination of the exports Dominican totals, only below the United States and Switzerland.
The exports Totals from the Dominican Republic reached 8,490.29 million dollars until August 2022, with the United States being the main destination with 4,260.58 million dollars for 50.18% of the total.
The second destination was Switzerland, registering 777.98 million dollars, for 9.16% of the total. Haiti It was located in the third destination with 769.78 million dollars, for even 9.07% of the exported universe. They are followed by Puerto Rico (5.46%), the Netherlands (3.8%), China (2.37%), India (2.11%), Italy (1.29%), Germany (1.09%) and Belgium (0.95%), among others.
Instead, between January and August 2021, the exports totals reached 7,688.08 million dollars, a -10.43%, when the comparison is made with the data of 2022. In fact, the exports totals towards Haiti Until August 2021 they stood at 613.21 million dollars, 25.53% below the same period in 2022.
Towards Haiti Until August 2022, 113.22 million dollars in cotton fabrics have been exported; 80.65 million dollars in t shirts and T-shirts, knitted, of cotton; $40.94 million worth of portland cement, normal or moderate (excludes white, includes artificially colored); 36.28 million dollars in exports of soybean oil “soybean” and its fractions, includes refined, not chemically modified.
Also, towards Haiti are made exports wheat or meslin flour (tranquillón); Bars of iron or non-alloy steel, not further worked than hot-rolled or hot-extruded; tableware and other articles for table or kitchen services, of plastic; plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of non-cellular polymers of ethylene and not stressed, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, unworked or surface-worked only or cut to square or rectangular shape only.
Despite the socioeconomic crisis that exists in the neighboring country, in January 2022, according to data from ProDominicana, the Dominican Republic reached 81.37 million dollars in exports towards Haitiin February 90.33 million dollars, in March 120.31 million, April 103.56 million, May 94.20 million, June 97.92 million, July 89.75 million and August 92.35 million dollars.
During September several violent protests were staged in Haiti mainly due to fuel shortages in that nation. For years the political, economic and social crisis has been a matter of concern for the Dominican Republic, leading the last three presidents of the country (Leonel Fernández, Danilo Medina and Luis Abinader) to speak out on international stages so that action can be taken and help the neighboring country out of the crisis.
On September 15, President Abinader said during his speech before the Permanent Council of the OAS, in Washington, United States, that Haiti it cannot wait any longer and the recent situation defined it as a low-intensity civil war. “We must act responsibly and we must act now,” said the president.
The recent disturbances caused Abinader to announce the closure of the Dominican embassy in Port-au-Prince and the consulates deployed in Haitian territory due to insecurity. Also, security was reinforced at the border and in Dajabón the binational market was momentarily closed.
