Dominican Republic and Belgium sign customs cooperation agreement

Brussels, Belgium.- The Dominican Republic and Belgium signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen customs cooperation and enhance efforts to prevent, investigate and combat customs violations, transnational organized crime and illicit drug trafficking linked to international trade.

The agreement was signed by Dominican Customs Director Nelson Arroyo and Belgian Customs Administrator Kristian Vanderwaeren. It establishes a framework for exchanging information, intelligence, risk analysis and best practices, while promoting joint operations, early warning mechanisms and closer coordination within the World Customs Organization.

The memorandum is the third bilateral security agreement signed by both countries this year, following accords between their police forces and maritime security agencies. It also reinforces cooperation between the ports of Multimodal Caucedo and Antwerp, with the goal of protecting international supply chains, improving regional security and facilitating legitimate trade.