Santo Domingo.- The Administrative Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza, suggests constructing “dry ports” with Haiti to boost exports to the neighboring country. He believes that despite immigration control challenges and the institutional framework in Haiti, there are “relative opportunities” for the Dominican Republic to exploit.
Paliza highlights Haiti as a natural market for Dominican exports, especially food products like chicken, flour, and oil. He proposes exploring ways to bring Dominican goods to Haitian markets through logistics ports, serving as merchandise terminals linking the countries via rail networks or heavy ground transportation.
Dry ports facilitate the movement of goods between countries by providing necessary infrastructure and logistical support. Establishing dry ports along the Haitian border can enhance trade relations for the Dominican Republic and tap into the demand for its products in Haiti.
Importantly, Paliza emphasizes the utilization of existing port potential and expanding infrastructure rather than building entirely new facilities. This approach can streamline trade and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
Additionally, advancements in the logistics sector, including customs processes, have boosted transparency and efficiency. Measures like Customs Law 168-21 and the 24-hour Dispatch have benefited importers and expedited business operations.
Eduardo Sanz Lovatón, the General Director of Customs, mentions the installation of X-ray machines in ports, reducing physical inspections and increasing the detection of illegal merchandise. He also highlights the use of artificial intelligence in risk assessment, enhancing container verification efficiency.
Alejandro Valerio, founder of Valerio Consulting Group, underscores the potential to increase exports to China and the significance of enhancing logistic competitiveness. He identifies six pillars, including the legal framework, human resources, logistics development strategy, eco-supply chains, competition in logistics services, and infrastructure, to achieve this. Valerio points out that incentives to reduce export costs could greatly boost export value.
In conclusion, the proposal to establish dry ports with Haiti and the ongoing efforts to modernize logistics and customs processes demonstrate the Dominican Republic’s commitment to expanding trade opportunities and enhancing competitiveness in the global market.