Haiti ‘oligarchs’ are behind ban on Dominican products: EFE

Port-au-Prince.- Haiti’s Chamber of Deputies FinanceCommission on Wednesday called for an end to the ban on 23 Dominican products ineffect since last year, enacted by the administration of former presidentMichel Martelly, EFE reports.

"Many localities are affected by this decision andpeople are still without economic activity, which adds to the effects of the droughtin many border areas where people live from trade," said Committee chair AntoineRodon Bien-Aimé.

Among the Dominicans items which Port-au-Prince bannedsince October figure cement, cooking oil, soap, detergents and bottled water.

For his part, Trade Commission president Jude Destinécalled the ban on Dominican products "a plan by the Haitian oligarchyagainst the middle class, in order to establish a monopoly of certain articleson the border."

"We must work so that everyone has the opportunity towork and do business," said Destiné in relation to the ban.

On Wednesday, Haiti Prime Minister Jean Charles Enex calledon both lawmakers to explain the ban of Dominican products in the Chamber ofDeputies.

EFE