G/STR/N/19/DOM  
9 August  2022 
(22-6036) Page: 1/8 
Working Party on State Trading Enterprises  Original:  Spanish  
 
  
STATE TRADING  
NEW AND FULL NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE XVII:4(A) OF THE GATT 1994 AND 
PARAGRAPH 1 OF THE UNDERSTANDING ON THE INTERPRETATION OF ARTICLE XVII  
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC  
The following communication, dated 2 8 July 2 022, is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of the Dominican Republic.  
 
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The Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic hereby forwards  the notification on state trading 
enterprises for the period 2020 -21 from the National  Price Sta bilization  Institute  (INESPRE) 
complying with the notification requirements related to Article XVII :4(a) of the G ATT 1994  and 
paragraph 1 of the Understanding on the Interpretation of Article XVII (State Trading Enterprises).  
I. ENUMERATION OF STATE TRADIN G ENTERPRISES  
A.  Identification of state trading enterprises  
National  Price Stabilization  Institute  (INESPRE) . 
B.  Description of products affected (including tariff item number (s) encompassed in 
product description)  
INESPRE is vested with the authority  to select the products that come  within its scope of action.  
II. REASON AND PURPOSE  
A.  Reason or purpose for establishing and/or maintaining state trading enterprise  
INESPRE was established with the main purpose  of "… regulating the prices of ag ricultural products 
when the situation of such products on the domestic market so requires , in the Institute 's opinion,  
through the processes of supply and demand relating to  these products" ( Article 2, Law No. 526 of 
11 December 1 969). At present, the Institute does not perform  the role of price stabilization but 
rather provides marketing services.  
B.  Summary of legal basis for granting the relevant exclusive or special rights or privileges, 
including legal provisions and summary of stat utory or constitutional powers  
INESPRE was established  by Law No. 526 of 1 1 December 1 969. The law grants  it autonomous 
status, its own resources  and legal personality, with the authority to select agricultural and livestock 
products whose prices will be r egulated and to establish its own purchase  and sale prices for the 
products with which its deals . G/STR/N/19/DOM  
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  III. DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE STATE TRADING ENTERPRISE  
A.  Summary statement providing overview of operations of the state trading enterprise . 
At the outset,  the main activities of INESPRE were: marketing and direct purchase from producers, 
through which it i nterven ed in the setting of market prices ; stimulation of production ; and imports 
of agricultural products to supply  the national  market . As for many years  in the past , its current 
operations consist of:  
(a) provid ing agricultural producers  with physical infrastructure for both cold and natural 
storage , on loan or lease , to enab le them to cope with fluctuations in market behaviour;  
(b) encourag ing the establishment of markets in which the country's agricultural producers 
can market their crops , reducing the role of intermedia ries and also benefiting consumers;  
(c) establish ing the price and market information  system ; 
(d) encourag ing the establishment of packing centres in the producing areas as a means of 
increasing  the added value of agricultural production;  
(e) establishing strategic reserves of sensitive products;  
(f) facilitat ing the installation of rural IT centres for organized producer groups;  
(g) identify ing and promot ing new investment opportunities in the area of agricultural 
marketing;  
(h) establish ing training and education centres for producers.  
INESPRE programmes and services:  
• Agri-markets : operates at different points in the country with outlets suited for sale s. 
The programme provides for the refurbishment of the physical facilities of these 
establishments, the repair of damaged equipment, the incorporation of necessary 
equipment, the restocking  of goods, the establishment of an efficient , capable and highly 
autono mous administration, as well as the creation of an initial capitalization fund.  
• Producers' markets : supports sale s and local producers by providing an organized trade 
platform . This is a market or fair where producers and consumers meet for trad ing. The 
advantage of this type of activity is that producers can sell their crops directly to 
consumers . For the latter, this is extremely beneficial  as they can acquire goods without 
the cost s related to intermediaries.  
• Mobile stores : aims to reach families living in  extreme poverty, such as  bateyes  (sugar 
worker  communities ) and families in very depressed areas where producers' markets 
cannot be held. 
• Fixed stores : offers agricultural products to the final consumer without  the use of  
intermed iaries , in dedic ated fixed physical spaces , ensuring good prices and substantial 
benefits to producers.  
• Training in agricultural marketing : provide s information for small and medium -sized 
producers on the post-harvest phase and product  quality, safety and marketing.  
• Agricultural laboratory services : determin es the quality and safety of agricultural 
products when required by public and private institutions that market, distribute and use 
the products . G/STR/N/19/DOM  
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  B.  Specification of exclusive or sp ecial rights or privileges enjoyed by the state trading 
enterprise . 
INESPRE is vested with  the authority  to import agricultural products when domestic production is 
insufficient, as stipulated in Article 55 of the Agricultur al and Livestock  Promotion Law , as well as to 
export agricultural products when surpluses are produced . As for several years in the past, INESPRE 
does not exercise these prerogatives  at present . 
C.  Type of entities other than the State trading enterprise that are allowed  to engage in 
importation/exportation and conditions for participation . 
Any natural or legal person domiciled in the Dominican Republic may engage in import/export 
activities.  
D.  How import/export levels are established by the state trading enterprise . 
In recent years, INESPRE has only purchased and sold  products on the local market.  
E. How export prices are determined . 
In recent years, INESPRE has only purchased and sold products on the local market.  
F.  How the resale prices of imported products are de termined . 
In recent years, INESPRE has only purchased and sold products on the local market.  
G. Whether long -term contracts are negotiated by the state trading enterprise . Whether 
the state trading enterprise is used to fulfil contractual obligations entered into by the 
Government . 
Not applicable.  
H. Brief description of market structure  
The market structure in the Dominican Republic is traditional with marketing channels for 
production/import s, wholesale, retail  and consumer s. It is a free market economy subject to trade 
control measures consistent with the WTO multilateral agreements.  
IV.  STATISTICAL INFORMATION  
See attached Tables I -III. 
V. REASON WHY NO FOREIGN TRADE HAS TAKEN PLACE  
As appropriate . 
VI.  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  
As appropriate . 
   
  G/STR/N/19/DOM  
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TABLE I  
STATE TRADING : NOT APPLICABLE  
STATISTICAL INFORMATION, IMPORTS  
Description  of product(s)  
(including HS number(s) ) Total 
quantity 
imported1 Quantity imported by 
state trading enterprise1 Average import 
price  Average representative 
domestic sales price  Mark -up2 National  
production  
       
 
 
 
 
 
1 In cases where no imports have taken place under columns 2 or 3, provide an explanation under Section V of this questionnaire . 
2 Members may report either under columns 4 and 5 or under column 6.    
  G/STR/N/19/DOM  
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TABLE II  
STATE TRADING : NOT APPLICABLE  
STATISTICAL INFORMATION, EXPORTS  
Description of product(s)  
(including HS number(s))  Total quantity 
imported1 Quantity exported by state 
trading enterprise1 Average 
procurement 
price2 Average representative 
domestic sales price  Average export 
price  National 
production  
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 In cases where no exports have taken place under columns 2 or 3, provide an explanation under Section V of this questionnaire . 
2 In cases where the initial procurement price is augmented by other payments, additional payments should al so be reported.    
  G/STR/N/19/DOM  
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TABLE III  
STATE TRADING : NATIONAL PRICE STABILIZATION INSTITUTE (INESPRE)  
STATISTICAL INFORMATION, DOMESTIC ACTIVITIES  
2020  
Description  of product(s)  
(including HS number(s) ) Domestic p urchases by state 
trading enterprise ( kg) National  production 
(kg) Domestic s ales by state trading 
enterprise ( kg) National  
consumption ( kg) 
1 2 3 4 5 
Frozen whole chicken (0207.12.00)  60,363,757 312,749,874 42,254,968 326,180,587 
* Milk powder (0402.21.90)  1,491,339 N.A. 1,043,337 36,683,000 
** Evaporated milk (0402.91.10)  366,996 - 256,897 - 
** Dutch-type cheese (0406.90.90)  447,302 - 313,057 - 
** Cheddar cheese (0406.90.20)  93,748,895 - 65,609,647 - 
Fresh egg s (0407.21.00)  21,372,277 199,828,142 14,248,164 199,494,139 
Potatoes (0701.90.00)  29,556,654 89,124,830 20,689,642 99,142,804 
* Beans (0713.33.00)  17,898,674 N.A. 12,529,014 29,776,004 
Fresh cassava (0714.10.00)  1,291,909 167,623,110 904,336 167,509,031 
Bananas (0803.10.29)  132,800,833 1,155,139,739 110,489,990 1,048,531,153 
** Coffee (0901.90.10)  3,272,708 15,380,773 2,331,609 - 
Semi-milled rice (1006.30.00)  157,787,693 607,583,850 110,451,361 640,694,551 
** Maize flour (1102.20.00)  198,416 - 138,869 - 
** Whole oats (1104.12.00)  166,516 - 83,895 - 
** Edible oil (1507.90.00)  7,879,332 - 5,609,024 - 
** Sausages (1601.00.29)  1,115,891,098 - 1,190,496,042 - 
** Salami (1601.29.00)  21,222,407 - 14,855,527 - 
* Sardines (1604.13.00)  1,782,210 N.A. 249,505 24,054,512 
** Chocolate (1806.32.00)  2,952,844 - 688,926 - 
** Spaghetti  (1901.11.00)  2,282,049 - 1,597,435 - 
** Cas sava bread  (1903.00.00)  1,874,878 - 1,312,480 - 
** Tomato sauce (2103.20.00)  615,751 - 86,201 - 
** Powder ed seasoning  (2103.90.20)  1,592,091 - 1,114,371 - 
** Green pigeon peas  (2205.99.20)  1,143,475 - 800,343 - 
** Vinegar (2209.00.00)  455,151 - 318,577 - 
** Ground salt (2501.00.13)  526,941 - 405,965 - 
* No domestic production, 100 % of the product is imported.  
** Information on national  production and/or consumption not available for the time being.    
  G/STR/N/19/DOM  
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TABLE IV  
STATE TRADING : NATIONAL PRICE STABILIZATION INSTITUTE (INESPRE)  
STATISTICAL INFORMATION, DOMESTIC ACTIVITIES  
2021  
Description of product(s)  
(including HS number(s))  Domestic purchases by state 
trading enterprise (kg)  National production 
(kg) Domestic sales by state trading 
enterprise (kg)  National 
consumption (kg)  
1 2 3 4 5 
*** P ork legs (0203.22.00)  3,594,417 30,569,350 3,145,115 127,177,231 
Frozen whole chicken (0207.12.00)  129,680,824 346,879,576 90,776,546 379,861,611 
Fresh eggs (0407.21.00)  20,151,219 204,443,153 14,105,812 204,372,665 
Criolla  potatoes (0701.90.00)  19,709,330 90,800,846 13,796,531 105,685,072 
* Beans (0713.33.00)  3,858,090 N.A. 2,700,641 32,217,702 
Bananas (0803.10.29)  39,125,540 1,075,515,499 19,324,782 1,074,693,681 
** Ground coffee (0901.90.10)  3,316,899 16,185,990 2,321,380 - 
** Maize flour (1102.20.00)  811,100 - 3,406,407 - 
** Whole oats (1104.12.00)  2,359,452 - 1,651,583 - 
** Edible oil (1507.90.00)  41,466,357 - 29,026,397 - 
** Pork sausages (1601.29.00)  1,283,972 - 1,404,345 - 
* Sardines in tomato sauce (1604.13.00)  3,752,586 N.A. 2,626,735 22,673,490 
Semi-milled rice (1006.30.00)  147,373,536 654,149,098 103,161,475 690,413,309 
** Soft brown s ugar (1701.13.00)  2,653,264 444,897,0001 1,857,285 - 
** Sweet gum candy  (1704.90.90)  33,740,873 - 23,618,589 - 
** Chocolate in bar s (1806.32.00)  10,703,786 - 7,492,421 - 
** Spaghetti  (1901.11.00)  18,058,092 - 12,640,652 - 
** Cas sava bread  (1903.00.00)  7,637,500 - 5,346,240 - 
** Bread (1905.90.20)  152,376,736 - 55,241,591 - 
** Canned pigeon peas  (2005.99.20)  28,202,603 - 19,741,688 - 
** Coconut milk (2008.99.99)  1,939,337 - 1,357,525 - 
** Tomato paste (2103.20.00)  3,765,606 - 1,581,508 - 
** Powdered seasoning  (2103.90.20)  1,937,356 - 723,257 - 
** La Fuerza red wine (2204.21.00)  20,156,553 - 14,741,360 - 
** Canned maize  (2205.80.00)  26,864,663 - 18,805,258 - 
** Punch (2208.70.90)  84,285,714 - 130,072,757 - 
 
1 Data for 2020 -21 sugar harvest.    
  G/STR/N/19/DOM  
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Description of product(s)  
(including HS number(s))  Domestic purchases by state 
trading enterprise (kg)  National production 
(kg) Domestic sales by state trading 
enterprise (kg)  National 
consumption (kg)  
** Golden natural vinegar (2209.00.00)  628,556 - 459,690 - 
** Ground salt (2501.00.13)  2,978,688 - 2,085,066 - 
* No domestic production, 100 % of the product is imported.  
** Information on national  production and/or consumption not available for the time being.  
*** Production and consumption data are for pig meat in general.  
 
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