The leadership of the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD) once again ruled on the billthat it would eliminate tariffs on more than 67 products of the basic basket, highlighting that the measure “instead of helping would bring more problems".
Celso Juan Marranzini and Circe Almanzarpresident and vice president, respectively of the AIRD, expressed their considerations separately.
Almánzar said that they expressed their disagreement to the Chamber of Deputies for considering that, although the situation is dire worldwide, it is not the best option to dismantle the tariffs, even for six months.
“Because tariffs are part of a commercial policy that countries have in a sovereign manner, which they do to strengthen their productive sectors and to manage their commercial relations with other countries. Opening tariffs on products manufactured in the Dominican Republic could jeopardize that trade policy and that productive development policy that we have in the country, even for six months, because it is a precedent. AND creates a certain uncertainty in the economic agents and especially in the producers of the field which are the ones that generate jobs and generate our food security” expressed the business leader.
He stressed that regardless of whether or not it has an impact on prices, they consider that the situation is not caused by domestic production.
“We believe that the damage caused by this measure, more than anything, is damage to the confidence of economic agents and that is what we call on Congress and the President of the Republic himself to rethink and reflect a little, because we really understand the situation in which the President of the Republic and the Government are, but we understand that measures like these instead of helping what they can do is create more problems” he pointed out.
Celso Juan Marranzini
The president of AIRD explained before the imbalance and logistical problem that was generated by covid-19 and now the war in Russia and Ukraine, the industry and other sectors such as the supply chain have been key in the economic recovery, in guaranteeing the supplies they need. all Dominicans, in the recovery and generation of jobs.
“We understand that the supply is guaranteed, there is a commitment to mitigate as much as possible our inflationary effects that come from abroad, so a measure like this could affect, or would affect, this entire supply chain and all the jobs that are in it. ”.
Both AIRD leaders were interviewed prior to participating in the event “It is Time to REThink” for a circular development of the region, coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Central American Commission for Environment and Development of the Central American Integration System (CCAD) and the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD).