Dominican rum producers back government tax measures to strengthen fair competition
Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Association of Rum Producers (Adopron) has expressed support for key provisions included in the government’s anti-crisis plan, arguing that the measures will promote tax equity, legal certainty, transparency, and fair competition in regulated industries.
Among the initiatives endorsed by the association is the clarification of how the Ad Valorem Selective Consumption Tax on alcoholic beverages should be calculated. Under the proposal, the tax would apply to the total value paid by consumers, including all elements that form part of a product’s presentation and commercialization.
Adopron emphasized that the measure does not create a new tax burden but rather establishes a clear and uniform criterion for all participants in the beverage industry. According to the organization, consistent application of tax rules is essential to preventing market distortions, protecting public revenues, and ensuring equal competitive conditions.
The association also welcomed efforts to strengthen traceability systems for alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and fuels, noting that such mechanisms can help combat illicit trade, protect consumers, reduce tax evasion, and improve oversight across regulated sectors.
Adopron stressed that traceability measures should be applied equally to all market participants, regardless of whether products are domestically produced or imported. It also called for strong enforcement, consumer education, and institutional support to maximize the effectiveness of the system.
The organization urged the National Congress to approve the proposed provisions, arguing that they would help eliminate unequal treatment within the alcoholic beverage market and address long-standing concerns related to unfair competition.
Adopron reaffirmed its willingness to work alongside government authorities and lawmakers on initiatives that strengthen transparency, formal economic activity, investment, and sustainable economic growth in the Dominican Republic. The association concluded that a tax framework with clear and uniformly applied rules benefits the state, consumers, and the formal productive sector alike.
