Santo Domingo, DR – Francesca Rainieri, president of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (AmChamDR) and chair of the National Trade Facilitation Committee (CNFC), praised the leadership of Customs Director General Eduardo “Yayo” Sanz Lovatón during the CNFC’s 25th plenary session, citing key advances in trade facilitation and economic competitiveness under his stewardship.
Rainieri commended the General Directorate of Customs (DGA) for its significant strides in modernization and institutional efficiency. More than the results themselves, she underscored the vision, dedication, and passion shown by Sanz Lovatón and his team as the driving force behind the transformation.
“These accomplishments reflect not only technical improvements but a shared commitment to national progress,” Rainieri said, emphasizing the importance of continued public-private collaboration—especially amid ongoing global trade and logistics challenges.
Modernization Initiatives and Ongoing Reforms
Sanz Lovatón reaffirmed his office’s focus on modernization, revealing that three international tenders have already been launched to revamp the Customs IT infrastructure. He called on both the CNFC and the National Logistics Cabinet to actively support these reforms, ensuring transparency and multi-sector engagement throughout the process.
Progress on Trade Facilitation Goals
During the session, Perla de la Rosa delivered an update on the 2023–2026 CNFC Action Plan, highlighting improvements to canine inspection units (K9), risk management protocols, and upgrades to the Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE) platform. She also noted progress in staff training and laboratory certification monitoring, all aimed at streamlining trade operations.
Rosario del Castillo, CNFC coordinator, introduced new committee members and reviewed progress toward 2024 and 2025 operational goals.
Broad Institutional Participation
The plenary brought together representatives from AmChamDR, logistics and maritime firms, and key government ministries, including Agriculture, Commerce, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Public Health. The CNFC continues to function as a critical platform for coordinating the Dominican Republic’s implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement.
The session reaffirmed the growing synergy between the public and private sectors, with a shared goal of enhancing efficiency, reducing trade barriers, and positioning the Dominican Republic as a regional leader in customs and logistics modernization.
