Dominican authorities must first consult Free Trade docs prior to voting laws

Santo Domingo.- The Industry and Trade Ministry (SEIC) will install a consultation office to advise, especially legislators, and proponents of any legal initiatives in the country, with a view to firsthand verify whether these contradict the trade agreement with the United States.

“From now on, all bills or modifications thereof sent to the National Congress necessarily must first be subject to consultation, to determine whether the free trade agreement is or is not affected by the proposals,” affirmed SEIC minister Francisco Javier Garcia.

Garcia stated as an example the recently approve tax reform, that had to later be rectified on the issue of the selective levy over consumption of vehicles because it affected norms established by the FTA.

The official said that the issue on vehicle imports was the only and last obstacle that the country faced in order to enter the DR-CAFTA, and that thus the United States will soon approve implementation of the accord for Dominicans.

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