Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic is seeking alternative markets for its exports that have been halted in Haiti for almost three weeks due to border closures. Possible markets include Puerto Rico, Cuba, Jamaica, the Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as countries like Panama, Colombia, Suriname, and Guyana, which have shown interest in buying Dominican processed, textile, and industrial products.
The proximity of these markets is important for ensuring proper transportation of the goods. A business conference is scheduled for October 13 with the aim of facilitating connections with these alternative markets for exporters affected by the Haitian conflict over the construction of a canal diverting water from the Masacre River.
The reorientation efforts are also expected to involve exporters of perishable products such as chicken, eggs, and vegetables. The Dominican government is already purchasing some of these products for school meals and social assistance programs.
Most companies already comply with the health requirements for exporting to these new markets, as they regularly export to other countries. However, ProDominicana, the Export and Investment Center of the Dominican Republic, is prepared to offer assistance to any company needing help in meeting their export requirements.
The number of participating companies in the October 13 business conference will depend on the agreements made and the active involvement of international buyers. The objective of this initiative is to help Dominican exporters find new markets and overcome the challenges posed by the border closure with Haiti.