Santo Domingo.- The prioritization of border security has become a focal point for the business community in the Dominican Republic, as evidenced by the recent partnership agreement inked between multinational corporation Philip Morris and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs. This collaboration signifies a concerted effort to bolster border security measures and combat the menace of smuggling, a criminal activity that poses a significant threat to the Dominican Republic’s competitiveness, commercial stability, and wealth generation.
Under this agreement, Philip Morris Dominicana has pledged support by donating cutting-edge equipment aimed at facilitating the efforts of personnel tasked with combating smuggling along the border. This includes the provision of five fully equipped containers to serve as offices, one designated for each border province, along with ten off-road motorcycles and five state-of-the-art portable X-ray scanners. These resources will be utilized by the Specialized Corps for Fuel Control and Trade of Goods (CECCOM) and the Specialized Corps for Border Security (Cesfront).
Alí Raza, Country Director of Philip Morris Dominicana, emphasized the company’s commitment to collaborating with the Dominican State in surveillance and enforcement against illicit trade. The donation was formally announced during a symbolic ceremony held at the Ministry of Defense, attended by dignitaries including Minister of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs, Víctor (Ito) Bisonó, Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Carlos Luciano Díaz Morfa (ERD), and other senior military officials.
The signing of this agreement underscores the Abinader administration’s dedication to enhancing security, justice, and economic prosperity in the Dominican Republic, as articulated by Minister Bisonó. The modernized offices, strategically located in key provinces along the border, equipped with essential amenities, will fortify CECCOM’s operational capabilities in detecting and preventing smuggling activities.
The deployment of “Nighthawk-HBI” model scanners, renowned for their efficiency and precision, will significantly augment inspection processes, enabling the detection of contraband, weapons, drugs, or explosives. Philip Morris Dominicana expressed confidence that these scanners will play a pivotal role in CECCOM’s mission to regulate commercial traffic effectively and deter the illicit transfer of substances across the border.
During the handover ceremony, Philip Morris reiterated its appreciation for the MICM’s steadfast efforts in combating illicit trade and reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with Dominican authorities to safeguard national economic stability.