Dominican Republic
Concluding Remarks by the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body, H.E. Mr Yonov Frederick Agah, At the Trade Policy Review of the Dominican Republic 24 And 26 November 2008
This third Trade Policy Review of the Dominican Republic has been highly informative and afforded this Body the opportunity to appraise in detail the evolution of the country’s trade policies since 2002. This was made possible largely by the constructive engagement of Ambassadors Piantini and Hernández Bona and the rest of their team. I would also like to acknowledge the valuable contribution to this exercise of the discussant Mr Yi fu Lin and thank Members for their participation.
Report by the WTO Secretariat
Since its previous trade policy review in 2002 the Dominican Republic has continued with the liberalization of its trade regime. Among other measures customs procedures were streamlined tariffs reduced import surcharges and export taxes eliminated and new legislation adopted on government procurement competition policy and intellectual property rights. Participation in the global economy has remained intense with trade in goods and services investment flows and family remittances making key contributions to the economy. As such the Dominican Republic has continued to give priority to its participation in the multilateral trade agenda while also seeking to further its integration into the global economy through preferential agreements.
Preface
The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was first established on a trial basis by the GATT CONTRACTING PARTIES in April 1989. The Mechanism became a permanent feature of the World Trade Organization under the Marrakesh Agreement which established the WTO in January 1995.
Dominican Republic - Measures Affecting the Importation and Internal Sale of Cigarettes
On 8 October 2003 Honduras requested consultations with the Dominican Republic concerning certain measures affecting the importation and internal sale of cigarettes. This request is a new and expanded version of a complaint filed by Honduras on 28 August 2003 (WT/DS300/1).