Trade between the DR and the European Union reached in 2022 the sum of 4,137 MM euros

The General Directorate of Customs (DGA) and the Eurochamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the aim of developing joint initiatives that promote legal trade between the country and the European Union through technical assistance, knowledge sharing, and training. Katja Afheldt, the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the European Union in the DR, explained that bilateral trade between the EU and the country increased to €4.1 billion in 2022, representing a 20% increase compared to 2021. This figure accounted for 11.15% of the European market’s total trade, and some of the main products that the DR exports include bananas, avocados, walnuts, medical equipment, and metal foundries such as ferronickel, cocoa, and tobacco, among others.

“We recognize the Dominican Republic as the main trading partner and investment destination in the Caribbean region from the European Union. The cooperation between the European Parliament and the DGA will be an important complement to the information available through the information channels we offer and the support that the EU provides for the development of commercial ties between Europe and the DR,” said Afheldt.

Eduardo Sanz Lovatón, General Director of Customs, stated, “Today is a historic day for our institution since the cultural and historical ties of descent that we have with the European Union are vast and essential for the preservation of our culture and our way of life. For this reason, we count on the DGA, the government of Luis Abinader, and a country that is increasingly aware that its participation in the world depends on the progress of its people.”

He stressed that this agreement is of paramount importance for the entity. “Customs of the 21st century are not merely tax collectors but are facilitators of trade, business, entrepreneurship, and port security,’ said Lovatón. ‘This MOU addresses several of these objectives as it gives us additional credibility: a trade facilitation channel for Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) and exchanges that we must have in training for any eventuality that occurs,” he added.

On the other hand, Fabio Guzmán Saladín, President of the European Parliament, assured that there is a clear trend of solid and diversified growth in economic and commercial relations between both countries. “We hope that this agreement will bring multiple opportunities to the Dominican nation and all member countries of the European Union to continue developing and facilitating trade relations.”

More on the deal

Through the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Eurochamber undertakes to support the different foreign trade incentive programs that Customs has, such as Dispatch in 24 Hours, the certification of the Authorized Economic Operator (OEA), Exporta Más, among others. Making them known among the commercial community and the members of the Eurochamber. Among the issues to be worked on in the signed pact are: cooperation in training programs, publication programs, incentives of exports between both countries, initiatives for trade promotion between both nations and exchange of exhibitors.

The agreement entered into force from the date of its signing and will remain in force indefinitely, until either party expresses to the other, the will to terminate it. During the signing of the agreement, the deputy directors were present: Daniel Peña, from Technology of the DGA; Johannes Kelner, deputy director of the DGA; Ángel Encarnación, DGA operative; Gabino José Polanco, from the DGA Technical Area; Anulfo Pascual, from Zona Franca; Francis Almonte, DGA administrator; as well as: Jean Marco Pou Fernández, vice president of the RD Eurochamber; Luis Araque, head of the Commercial Section of the European Union in the Dominican Republic, among others.