RESTRICTED  
  
WT/TPR/W/222  
 
23 February 2023  
(23-1247) Page: 1/47 
Trade Policy Review Body    
 
*In Original language only/ En langue originale seulement /En el idioma original solamente . 
  
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC  
DRAFT MINUTES  OF THE MEETING* HELD ON 24 AND 26 JANUARY 2023  
Delegations are invited to submit factual corrections, if any, on their own statement to the 
Secretariat ( Daniela  Salas : danielamariana.salas@wto.org , or to  tprd@wto.org ) no later than  
9 March  2023. 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales  
 
RÉPUBLIQUE DOMINICAINE  
PROJET DE COMPTE RENDU DE LA RÉUNION* TENUE LES 24 ET 26 JANVIER  2023 
Les délégations sont invitées à soumettre  leurs éventuelles corrections factuelles concernant leurs 
propres déclarations au Secrétariat ( Daniela  Salas : danielamariana.salas@wto.org , ou 
tprd@wto.org ) le 9 mars 2023 au plus tard.  
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales  
 
REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA  
PROYECTO DE ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN* CELEBRADA LOS DÍAS 24 Y 26 DE ENERO 2023  
Las delegaciones pueden enviar a la Secretaría ( Daniela  Salas : danielamariana.salas@wto.org , 
o tprd@wto.org ) a más tardar el 9 de marzo de 2023  las correcciones fácticas que deseen introducir 
en sus propias declaraciones.  
 
 
_______________  
 
  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC  
DRAFT  MINUTES OF THE MEETING  
Chairperson: H.E. Dr Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme  
CONTENTS  
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .......................  3 
2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC  ........  5 
3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT  ................................ ................................ ................  9 
4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS  ................................ ................................ ........................  13 
5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC  AND  
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS  ................................ ................................ ...............................  41 
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .........................  46 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies provided 
by the Dominican  Republic are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/435/Add.1 and will be available 
online at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm.  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
1.1.  The fifth Trade Policy Review of the Dominican  Republic  was he ld on 24 and 26  January  2023. 
Due to the absence of the TPRB Chairperson, H.E. Mr Ángel Villalobos  Rodríguez (Mexico) , the Chair 
of the DSB, H.E. Dr Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme (Botswana) , chaired the meeting in accordance with 
the Rules of Procedures of the  TPRB. She welcomed the delegation of the Dominican  Republic, 
headed by H.E.  Ambassador José R. Sánchez -Fung, Permanent Representative of 
the Dominican  Republic; the rest of the delegation; and the discussant, H.E.  Ambassador 
María  Luisa Pagán  (United  States).  
1.2.  The Chairperson was pleased that, in addition to physical presence, the meeting also benefited 
from the  Interprefy online connection, allowing for a wider participation of the Membership.  
1.3.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of TPRs and the main elements of procedures for the 
meeting. The Report by the Dominican  Republic  is contained in document WT/TPR/G/ 435, and that 
of the WTO Secretariat in document WT/TPR/S/ 435. 
1.4.  Questions by the following delegations were submitted in writing before the deadline: 
Singapore, Guatemala, European  Union, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, United  Kingdom, and 
United  States. The foll owing delegations submitted written questions after the deadline: Thailand, 
Canada, El  Salvador, China, Iceland, and Ecuador.  
1.5.  The Chairperson started by r ecalling some elements of the Dominican  Republic's previous 
Review in 2015. In that Review, Members co ngratulated the Dominican  Republic on the growth of 
its economy after successfully weathering the global economic crisis.  
1.6.  In that time, Members highlighted the significant flows of foreign direct investment to the 
Dominican  Republic and welcomed measures to further facilitate investment. The 
Dominican  Republic was encouraged to continue strengthening the foreign investment regime, as 
certain limitations to foreign participation remained.  
1.7.  Members commended the Dominican  Republic's commitment to the WTO. The y also 
congratulated the Dominican  Republic on the trade facilitation measures adopted. In this regard, the 
Chairperson was pleased to note that efforts to modernize, digitalize , and simplify customs regimes 
and procedures ha d continued.  
1.8.  The Chairperson  identified some issues that stand out from the analysis of the documents and 
advance written questions submitted by Members for this Review.  
1.9.  According to the Report prepared by the Secretariat for this Review, the service -dominated 
Dominican economy was hard  hit by the COVID -19 pandemic, in particular the tourism sector, which 
represents one of the most important sources of foreign exchange for the country. However, the 
implementation of fiscal and monetary policy measures, the gradual reopening of economic a ctivities 
and the subsequent removal of restrictions on movement allowed the economy to recover. Thus, 
GDP for 2021 was set to exceed pre -pandemic levels.  
1.10.  In terms of trade policy measures, the Chairperson was  pleased to note that during the period 
under review, the Dominican  Republic adopted the Handbook of Good Technical Regulation Practices, 
which allows for more transparent procedures for drafting technical regulations, as well as new 
competition legislation.  
1.11.  In the area of sanitary and phytosanitary measures, Members noted that the 
Dominican  Republic had not yet completed the updating of its legislative framework and enquired 
about the difficulties encountered in this process. They also asked about the legal basis and the need 
to maintain some support  programmes in the agricultural sector and the control of certain prices. 
Regarding sectoral policies, Members expressed interest in learning more about measures taken 
during the review period to improve the performance of the agricultural sector, for exam ple the 
adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. In addition, they noted certain challenges that were 
already referred to in the previous Review, particularly in the electricity sector.  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  1.12.  A number of questions were also raised about tariff and other t axes; import and export 
restrictions; price controls; changes related to government procurement procedures; and protection 
of intellectual property rights.  
1.13.  The advance written questions submitted for this Review reflect ed Members' interest in the 
Dominican  Republic's trade and investment regimes.  
1.14.  The Dominican  Republic received 235 advance written questions from 14  Members for this 
Review, 137 of which had been sent within the deadline set. Prior to th e meeting, the 
Dominican  Republic provided written replies to all questions submitted within the deadline, and the 
Chairperson was looking forward to  hearing the Dominican  Republic's replies to other questions 
during the two -day meeting . 
1.15.  The meeting was a good opportunity for Memb ers to discuss in detail issues of interest to 
them and of importance to the multilateral trading system. It was also an opportune moment for 
the Dominican  Republic to update the Membership on the impact of the COVID -19 pandemic on its 
economy and the meas ures it has taken in response. The chairperson was looked forward to a fruitful 
exchange.  
1.16.  The Chairperson closed her introductory remarks by wishing the Dominican  Republic a very 
successful fifth  Trade Policy Review.  
  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DOMINICAN  REPUBLIC 
(H.E. DR JOSÉ  R. SÁNCHEZ -FUNG ) 
2.1.  Distinguida Embajadora Athaliah  Lesiba  Molokomme, Representante Permanente de Botswana 
ante la OMC y Presidenta interina del Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales de la OMC;  
estimada Embajadora María  Pagán, Representante Permanente de los Estados  Unidos de América 
ante la OMC;  colegas de los Estados Miembros y de la Secretaría de la OMC; miembros de la 
delegación y de la Misión Permanente de la República  Dominicana . 
2.2.  La Organización Mundial del Comercio existe para velar por la existencia de un ambiente 
propicio para el florecimiento del comercio. La obtención de los beneficios esperados de la 
especialización y del intercambio global, examinados p or generaciones de economistas desde 
Adam  Smith y David  Ricardo, depende de la confianza entre los participantes en los mercados. En 
ese contexto, un elemento crucial es la transparencia, y el examen de las políticas comerciales de 
la OMC intenta contribui r en esa dirección. La República  Dominicana está comprometida con el éxito 
de esa función de la Organización.  
2.3.  En primer lugar, agradecemos a la Embajadora Pagán por examinar el informe de nuestro 
Gobierno y de la Secretaría, y compartir con todos los Miem bros sus valiosas opiniones y 
comentarios.  
2.4.  Asimismo, agradecemos a la Secretaría de la OMC por su arduo trabajo y cooperación en la 
preparación de este quinto examen de las políticas comerciales de la República  Dominicana. De 
manera especial, agradecemos al equipo de la División de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales que 
nos visitó en dos ocasiones, realizando importantes reuniones y consultas con diferentes 
instituciones gubernamentales y del sector privado.  
2.5.  El Gobierno de la República  Dominicana está co mplacido con la realización de su quinto examen 
de las políticas comerciales , el ejercicio refleja los logros alcanzados por el país como resultado de 
su política dirigida a profundizar la apertura comercial, uno de los pilares básicos dentro de la 
Estrate gia Nacional de Desarrollo.  
2.6.  Valoramos mucho la participación de los Estados Miembros en nuestro examen de las políticas 
comerciales , recibimos 137  preguntas antes de la fecha límite, y todas han sido respondidas. 
Posteriormente recibimos 87  preguntas, muc has de las cuales ya han sido respondidas. En total, 
recibimos 224  preguntas de 14  Miembros.  
2.7.  El reporte examina las medidas, políticas y mejoras institucionales que el país ejecuta, o que 
están en proceso de formulación, para superar los desafíos a los qu e se enfrenta una economía 
pequeña y vulnerable, como la de la República  Dominicana, frente a la competencia de países con 
mayor desarrollo tecnológico, y mayor inversión en investigación e innovación.  
2.8.  Al igual que en el resto del mundo, como consecuencia  de la pandemia producida por la 
COVID -19 el período de revisión presentó desafíos ante los cuales la República  Dominicana reaccionó 
con políticas públicas que han representado un gran sacrificio.  
2.9.  Enfocándonos sobre el desenvolvimiento de la macroeconomía,  durante el período 2015 -2021 
la República  Dominicana registró una tasa de crecimiento media anual del Producto Interno 
Bruto  (PIB) de 5 ,1%. Ese ritmo de expansión sostenido refleja el impacto de la coordinación de las 
políticas monetaria y fiscal, permiti endo el fortalecimiento de los fundamentos macroeconómicos, 
beneficiándose también por el choque de oferta positivo en los bienes primarios entre los años 2015 
2017.  
2.10.  En el 2021 el PIB real creció 12 ,3%: en comparación con América Latina, el resultado colo có 
a la República  Dominicana como uno de los países de mejor desempeño relativo con respecto a la 
prepandemia. El crecimiento esperado en el 2022 es 5 ,3%, lo cual nos coloca alrededor del potencial 
de la economía en el largo plazo.  
2.11.  El sector turismo es un o de los principales motores de la economía de la 
República  Dominicana. En el 2022 los ocho aeropuertos internacionales del país recibieron la llegada WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  de 7,5 millones de turistas; de ese total, más de 1 ,3 millones de visitantes llegaron en cruceros a 
los principales puertos turísticos.  
2.12.  Otro elemento que refleja la fortaleza de la economía dominicana es la estabilidad del sistema 
financiero. El comportamiento de los principales indicadores del sistema finan ciero consolidado es 
estable, con niveles adecuados de solvencia, liquidez y rentabilidad, así como un bajo nivel de riesgo 
de su cartera crediticia.  
2.13.  Durante el período de análisis, la República  Dominicana realizó avances destacados en 
materia de Sistemas de Pagos y Ciberseguridad, lo cual ha contribuido con la expansión del mercado 
financiero nacional y el desarrollo de un ecosistema de empresas FinTech.  
2.14.  Es importante resaltar la participación del Banco  Central de la República  Dominicana como 
gestor de un  sistema de pago transfronterizo, denominado Sistema de Interconexión de Pagos con 
Centroamérica (SIPA), al que están interconectados los sistemas de liquidación de los bancos 
centrales de los estados miembros del Consejo Monetario Centroamericano (CMCA).  
2.15.  El sector externo dominicano exhibe un comportamiento satisfactorio. Por una parte, las 
exportaciones totales de bienes durante el primer semestre de 2022 crecieron 16 ,5% respecto al 
mismo período del año anterior. Al mismo tiempo, las remesas alcanzaron a lrededor de 
USD 10.000 millones. Además, la inversión extranjera directa registró USD  3.190 millones entre 
enero y septiembre de 2022, un aumento de 32 ,3% respecto al mismo período de 2021.  
2.16.  La evolución positiva de las actividades generadoras de divisas fa voreció la estabilidad relativa 
del tipo de cambio. Concomitantemente, las reservas internacionales totalizaron más de 
USD 14.000 millones, equivalentes a seis meses de importaciones.  
2.17.  Respecto al panorama fiscal, durante el período 2015 -2019 el déficit pro medio del sector 
público consolidado fue 2 ,6% del PIB. En el año 2020 el aumento del gasto para hacer frente a los 
efectos provocados por la pandemia derivada de la COVID -19 y la contracción de los ingresos por el 
cierre de la actividad económica provocaro n un déficit de 7 ,9% del PIB. Sin embargo, la posición 
actual es más favorable como resultado de la reactivación económica, los esfuerzos administrativos 
para maximizar las recaudaciones, y la mejor administración del gasto público.  
2.18.  Con la finalidad de mi tigar el impacto de la COVID -19, el Gobierno dominicano desarrolló un 
Plan Nacional de Vacunación dirigido a mayores de 18  años. Desde inicios del 2022 el plan fue 
extendido a las personas mayores de cinco años.  
2.19.  En materia de seguridad social, a partir de  mayo de 2021 el programa "Comer  es Primero " 
comenzó la transición al programa "Supérate ", que se espera duplique el monto de la asistencia y 
brinde un apoyo integral para facilitar el acceso a la educación y el empleo. Para agosto de 2021, el 
programa Sup érate había beneficiado a aproximadamente el 43 ,4% de la población. De igual forma, 
se implementó el programa de Apoyo a Empleados Formales Suspendidos por sus Empleadores. En 
ese sentido, el Gobierno mantuvo el Fondo de Asistencia Solidaria al Empleado (F ASE) hasta fines 
de abril  de 2021. Este programa ha beneficiado a más de 754 .000 familias, representando una 
inyección de liquidez a la economía de aproximadamente USD  280 millones.  
2.20.  También se adoptaron medidas monetarias y financieras, las cuales a julio de 2021 
canalizaron a través de instituciones financieras alrededor de USD 4.000 millones destinados a 
hogares, sectores productivos, y micro, pequeñas, y medianas empresas.  
2.21.  En abril  de 2021 el Gobierno inició un proceso de normalización para levanta r gradualmente 
las medidas de indulgencia regulatoria adoptadas durante las primeras etapas de la pandemia. El 
sector turístico se recuperó más rápido de lo esperado, principalmente debido a la vigencia del Plan 
de Recuperación Responsable del Turismo que incluyó exenciones fiscales otorgados al sector, y al 
diseño de una estrategia de promoción dirigida por el Ministerio de Turismo, destacando al país como 
un destino vacacional seguro.  
2.22.  La República  Dominicana actualmente implementa la Estrategia Nacional d e Desarrollo  2030. 
La estrategia incluye Planes Nacionales Plurianuales del Sector Público orientados a ofrecer servicios 
públicos de calidad, agua, electricidad, salud, educación, seguridad ciudadana, acceso a la justicia, WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  y aumento de la cobertura y de l os beneficiarios en los programas de ayudas condicionadas. La 
estrategia debe contribuir en la construcción de un Estado más eficaz, eficiente y solidario, un 
aparato productivo capaz de generar más divisas, y un país social y territorialmente más 
cohesion ado e inclusivo.  
2.23.  En un esfuerzo conjunto por mejorar la competitividad de las exportaciones dominicanas, el 
Plan Nacional de Fomento de las Exportaciones 2020 -2030 representa la voluntad de trabajo 
conjunto de las instituciones públicas y privadas que inc iden directa o indirectamente sobre el 
proceso de exportación. También es importante el lanzamiento de la Estrategia Nacional de 
Exportación de Servicios Modernos 2021 -2025, el Plan Nacional de Política Comercial 2016 -2021, el 
gabinete para el desarrollo d e las exportaciones, y la Estrategia Nacional de  Nearshoring . 
2.24.  Por otro lado, la política comercial agropecuaria de la República  Dominicana cuenta con un 
grado de apertura típico de una economía pequeña en franco crecimiento económico y en 
consonancia con l os compromisos asumidos en los distintos acuerdos comerciales. En este sentido, 
la apertura del mercado para algunos de los principales bienes agropecuarios en el marco de los 
acuerdos comerciales suscritos por el país ha significado un nuevo reto en térmi nos de competencia 
de precios y la mejora de la eficiencia de los procesos productivos.  
2.25.  Es importante destacar que el sector agropecuario es la principal fuente de empleo en las 
zonas rurales, las cuales abarcan la mayor proporción de los hogares pobres del país. El Estado se 
ha enfocado en la implementación de políticas y programas alineados con los ejes estratégicos del 
sector agropecuario.  
2.26.  En el período 2015 -2021 la oferta de alimentos creció significativamente, asegurando la 
provisión para los nacionales y los visitantes extranjeros. Parte del éxito derivó del aumento de la 
cartera de créditos del Banco  Agrícola a tasas preferenciales únicas. También aumentó la inversión 
de capital en infraestructura que incluyó caminos rurales, sistemas de rieg o, adquisición de equipos 
pesados y maquinarias agrícolas, centros de acopio y procesamiento regionales para el secado de 
granos, preparación de tierras y provisión de insumos.  
2.27.  Con el objetivo de continuar afianzado los compromisos adquiridos en materia de  facilitación 
del comercio, así como el incremento de la competitividad de nuestro comercio exterior, el Gobierno 
dominicano impulsa iniciativas de carácter legislativo y normativo.  
2.28.  Entre las iniciativas es oportuno destacar las siguientes: la nueva Ley G eneral de Aduanas 
168-21 y su reglamento de aplicación aprobado recientemente por el Poder Ejecutivo mediane el 
Decreto 755 -22, de fecha 23  de diciembre de 2022, la Iniciativa del Despacho de Mercancías en 
24 horas, el programa "Exporta+" para facilitar la s exportaciones, así como el perfeccionamiento de 
la Iniciativa de Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior, y la figura del Operador Económico Autorizado 
Simplificado para beneficiar a las micro, pequeñas, y medianas empresas.  
2.29.  El compromiso de contar con un marco regulatorio moderno para el comercio que promueva 
mayor competitividad se continúa evidenciando con la promulgación de la Ley 5 -23. La Ley actualiza 
el marco jurídico del comercio marítimo, regulando los actos y hechos que ocurran en las aguas bajo 
la jurisdicción del Estado dominicano.  
2.30.  Otra de las prioridades del Gobierno dominicano es lograr un nivel máximo de transparencia 
tanto en las ejecuciones del Estado como de las empresas que intervienen en su jurisdicción.  
2.31.  En ese sentido, en los últimos añ os se han tomado importantes medidas para establecer 
procedimientos y controles que armonicen el cumplimiento de las normativas vigentes en materia 
de gasto público, y el Portal Transaccional del Sistema Informático para la Gestión de las Compras 
y Contrat aciones del Estado, el Programa de Cumplimiento Regulatorio en las Contrataciones 
Públicas, y el Sistema de Alerta Preventiva y Reactiva. En ese contexto, la participación de 
proveedores extranjeros en los procedimientos de contratación pública incrementó de 14 ,9% 
en 2019 a 25 ,7% en 2022, con un monto total de adjudicación cercana a los USD 230 millones.  
2.32.  Otra acción que muestra el compromiso del Gobierno dominicano con la transparencia es su 
participación desde 2022 como Miembro observador en el Acuerdo de Contratación Pública de la 
OMC, convirtiéndose en el primer país de la región con ese estatus.  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  2.33.  Tambi én en el ámbito gubernamental, en febrero  de 2020 se estableció un novedoso marco 
regulatorio para la creación y el desarrollo de alianzas público -privadas mediante la Ley 47 -20 que 
creó la Dirección General de Alianzas Público -Privadas.  
2.34.  Además, el Estado  dominicano promulgó el Decreto  806-21, mediante el cual dispuso la 
reactivación de la Ventanilla Única de Inversión dentro del marco del Programa Gobierno Eficiente 
(Burocracia  Cero). El objetivo de esa iniciativa es integrar en una sola plataforma digita l e 
interconectar todos los trámites, permisos, registros, licencias, no objeciones, vistos buenos, o 
cualquier otro tipo de aprobación requerido ante las diversas instituciones gubernamentales o 
municipales para el desarrollo de los proyectos de inversión  en la República  Dominicana.  
2.35.  Asimismo, durante el período abarcado por el examen se creó la Unidad de Propiedad 
Intelectual de la Procuraduría General de la República. También se seleccionó un "fiscal enlace " con 
la responsabilidad de investigar y persegui r los delitos de propiedad intelectual. De igual modo, se 
promulgó el Reglamento para la aplicación de la Ley  17-19 sobre la erradicación del comercio ilícito, 
contrabando y falsificación de productos regulados.  
2.36.  Como hemos expresado anteriormente, la tran sparencia es una prioridad de las autoridades 
dominicanas. Por esa razón somos parte del Foro Global para la Transparencia e Intercambio de 
Información para Fines Tributarios, y operamos conforme al Marco Inclusivo para Evitar la Erosión 
de la Base Imponib le y el Traslado de Beneficios. El país también adecuó su legislación para cumplir 
con el estándar del Grupo de Acción Financiera: el grupo de evaluación de ese organismo encontró 
que el marco legislativo dominicano, aprobado en el 2017, cumple con las rec omendaciones 
relacionadas con la prevención del lavado de activos, financiamiento del terrorismo, y la proliferación 
de armas de destrucción masiva.  
2.37.  Al nivel multilateral la República  Dominicana contribuye con la transparencia a través de la 
remisión de la s notificaciones previstas en los diferentes acuerdos de la OMC.  
2.38.  La agenda comercial de la República  Dominicana para los próximos años incluye el 
aprovechamiento de los acuerdos comerciales y preferencias unilaterales vigentes, los que nos 
permiten tener acceso preferencial a más de mil  millones de consumidores de las principales 
economías del mundo.  
2.39.  El país también espera continuar profundizando y modernizando la integración económica 
regional, fortalecer la competitividad del país a través de las mejora s de los distintos ámbitos 
relacionados con ésta -ambiente institucional, infraestructura, estabilidad macroeconómica, mejoras 
en la salud y las habilidades de la población en general, mejoras en los mercados de bienes y 
servicios, y de trabajo, así como e n el sistema financiero y el ecosistema de la innovación, en un 
marco sostenible e inclusivo.  
2.40.  Asimismo, la República  Dominicana continuará contribuyendo positivamente al sistema 
multilateral de comercio por medio de la participación en las distintas insta ncias de la OMC y en los 
procesos de negociación, incluyendo en las discusiones para alcanzar un acuerdo sobre la facilitación 
de las inversiones.  
2.41.  El Gobierno reitera su compromiso con la estabilidad macroeconómica, reflejado en el diseño 
e implementación  de políticas monetaria, fiscal, y comercial que contribuyan con el bienestar de la 
sociedad dominicana.  
2.42.  Finalmente, reiteramos el compromiso de la República  Dominicana con la transparencia, sus 
obligaciones en el marco de la OMC, y el multilateralismo.  
  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT  
3.1.  Primero que nada, quiero extender una cálida bienvenida a la delegación de la República 
Dominicana. Es para mí un honor y un gran placer participar como ponente en este quinto examen 
de las políticas comerciales de la República  Dominicana. Aunque la República  Dominicana y 
Puerto  Rico, de donde soy, competimos por quien tiene las mejores playas, el mejor ron, y los 
mejores jugadores de béisbol, entre otras cosas, tenemos unos grandes lazos históricos y de 
amistad. Y todos los puer torriqueños bailamos merengue, una de las grandes exportaciones de la 
República  Dominicana.  
3.2.  I would also like to acknowledge the Secretariat for providing comprehensive research and 
information that enables Members to perform this vital Trade Policy Review  function.  
3.3.  The United  States is the Dominican  Republic's largest trading partner, anchored by the 
United  States -CAFTA -DR agreement. The Dominican  Republic is also an important trading partner 
to many of you in the room today, and a steadfast supporter of t he multilateral trading system and 
of the WTO.  
3.4.  Indeed, the opening of the Dominican  Republic's Permanent Mission to the WTO in April  2022 
reflects its ongoing commitment to contribute to the progress of the global trading system. 
I congratulate the Dominic an Republic on this important development and on the appointment of 
Ambassador Sánchez -Fung.  
3.5.  Drawing inspiration from Ambassador  Tan, I'd like to focus my comments around three 
thematic areas:  
1) the Dominican  Republic's economic resilience in response to the COVID -19 pandemic;  
2) the Dominican  Republic's people -centric approach to developing its national economic and 
trade policy goals; and  
3) how work undertaken at the WTO complements and supports the Dominican  Republic's 
economic and trade policy g oals. 
3.6.  I'd like to comment first on the Dominican  Republic's economic resilience and management 
during the period of review, particularly in the face of the COVID -19 pandemic and 
the Russia n Federation 's unprovoked war against Ukraine.  
3.7.  The COVID -19 pandemic  hit the people and economy of the Dominican  Republic hard. The 
Dominican economy is primarily service -based, with trade in goods and services accounting for more 
than half of the country's GDP. Travel and tourism services were badly affected during the pa ndemic 
owing to lockdowns meant to slow the spread of the virus.  
3.8.  Largely as a result of the pandemic, GDP shrank by 6.7 % in 2020. Exports of goods and services 
contracted in 2020 by 30.3 %, and imports by 14.6 %. However, the economy rebounded in 2021, 
with GDP growing by 12.3 %. As outlined in the Secretariat Report, the Dominican  Republic 
undertook a mix of fiscal and monetary measures to help alleviate the negative impact of the 
pandemic. According to the IMF, this "smart policy -making" by the Government an d "continued 
access to markets" directly contributed to the Dominican  Republic's successful post -pandemic 
recovery. In real terms, these efforts saved lives by preventing many citizens from dipping below 
the poverty line.  
3.9.  In addition, the Russia n Federatio n's unprovoked war in Ukraine led to bottlenecks in global 
supply chains of key agricultural commodities, crude oil, and fertilizers. Supply chain disruptions led 
to price hikes for these products and soaring inflation. The Government responded by diversif ying 
imports of goods, suspending tariffs on key imported goods, and establishing a dedicated fund to 
ensure a stable supply of agro -chemicals.  
3.10.  During the period under review, the Dominican  Republic's trade policy can be characterized 
as consistent and predictable. As noted in the Government Report, the country's trade policy seeks WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  to take advantage of existing trade agreements and open new international markets for goods and 
services exports . 
3.11.  The Dominican  Republic is focused on growing both existing exports of goods and services, 
as well as creating new exports of "modern services" related to the creative economy, the 
audio -visual industry, telecommunications, and information technology.  
3.12.  During the period of review, the Dominican  Republic signed one new trade agreement. Many 
Members are interested to know whether the country has any future plans to sign new trade 
agreements.  
3.13.  Few trade policies were modified compared with the country's previou s Trade Policy Review, 
with the exception of the following developments.  
3.14.  First, the Dominican  Republic enacted a new customs law aimed at modernizing and 
simplifying customs procedures, as pointed out in both Government and Secretariat Reports. The 
law wil l harmonize domestic legislation with international commitments under the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement (TFA).  
3.15.  We congratulate the Dominican  Republic for ratifying and implementing the TFA, and for 
implementing about 91 % of its TFA commitments to date. Base d on its notifications to the WTO, the 
Dominican  Republic is on track to fully implement all of its commitments by June  2023.  
3.16.  Given that the new Customs Law has not yet been fully implemented, Members would benefit 
from a better understanding of the Law's implementation status, and whether the 
Dominican  Republic is on track to fully implement its TFA commitments in five  months from now.  
3.17.  Second, I'd like to highlight the Dominican  Republic's adoption of the Handbook on Good 
Technical Regulation practices, wh ich is based on the WTO  TBT Code of Good Practice. This is a 
win-win for the Government and private sector, which will benefit from the greater consistency and 
predictability to the Government's adoption and application of standards.  
3.18.  Finally, as pointed ou t in the Secretariat Report, the Dominican  Republic's government 
procurement policies underwent significant changes. These changes were made to improve the 
transparency of the domestic procurement system, promote the purchase of domestically produced 
goods  to develop the economy, create jobs, and encourage MSMEs to participate in public 
procurement procedures, among other goals.  
3.19.  While the Dominican  Republic has government procurement provisions in several of its 
regional trade agreements, including the US -CAFTA-DR, it is not a party to the WTO Government 
Procurement Agreement.  
3.20.  As a result, several Members expressed an interest in learning more about the 
Dominican  Republic's revised government procurement policies and procedures, whether it intends 
to seek ob server status at the WTO Government Procurement Committee or eventually join the 
WTO Government Procurement Agreement, and are glad to hear they have sought observer status.  
3.21.  I'd like to turn to the Dominican  Republic's "people -centric" approach to its nati onal economic 
goals. The Dominican  Republic has put the concept of "quality of life" at the core of its development 
objectives by creating policies to improve people's daily lives. According to the Government Report, 
the Dominican  Republic has improved pub lic services, established conditions to create good -quality 
jobs, and created more economic opportunities for all people including through targeted 
interventions focused on gender and vulnerable groups.  
3.22.  Most of us agree that transparency and inclusivity ar e core principles to ensure that all voices 
are heard and to promote opportunities to benefit from trade. The Dominican  Republic sets a good 
example for all WTO  Members in this regard as it brings stakeholders from all backgrounds and 
experiences to the ta ble to create inclusive trade policies. As Members we need to push for greater 
inclusivity in our work here at the WTO as well.  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  3.23.  The Government Report notes that the Dominican Republic is working to address short, 
medium, and long -term challenges to bolster ing its export competitiveness and further integrating 
in international trade. WTO Members would benefit from understanding what these challenges are 
and how the Dominican Republic intends to address them through a "quality of life" lens.  
3.24.  Finally, I'd like  to comment on how work undertaken at the WTO complements and supports 
the Dominican  Republic's economic and trade policy goals and future policy direction.  
3.25.  At the WTO, the Dominican  Republic is an active participant in several different negotiating 
groups , including the ACP Group, the G90, the Group of Small and Vulnerable Economies, and 
the G33 forum for development countries, among others.  
3.26.  At MC12, the Dominican  Republic called for agricultural reform that safeguards the guarantees 
of special and differe ntial treatment for developing countries, and that ensures reciprocity and 
proportionality in the commitments of the Members that have the most influence on distortions. The 
Dominican  Republic made similar comments at MC11.  
3.27.  The outcomes on agriculture at M C12 were positive in that they reinforced the importance of 
upholding existing WTO rules to help address current global challenges, especially those related to 
food security.  
3.28.  Given the Dominican  Republic's active role in past agriculture discussions, it ap pears to be 
well equipped to contribute to forward -looking conversations in the WTO.  
3.29.  In the Government  Report, the Dominican  Republic outlined a forward -looking trade agenda 
to take advantage of existing trade agreements and forge new ones, deepen regional integration, 
and improve the country's competitiveness. This agenda plans for improvements across broad facets 
of the economy, such as: the institutional environment, infrastructure, ICT adoption, macroeconomic 
stability, well -functioning labour m arkets, worker skills, improvements to the financial system, and 
the promotion of innovation.  
3.30.  The Dominican  Republic's continued integration into the global trading system and 
participation at the WTO plays a key role in helping meet these goals.  
3.31.  It is commendable that the Dominican  Republic has focused on women's empowerment and 
leadership as key drivers of the export promotion and integration into international markets. 
Similarly, MSME's form the backbone of economic activity and employment in the 
Dominican  Republic, and the country fosters and supports greater inclusion of MSMEs in international 
trade.  
3.32.  At the WTO, the Dominican  Republic's participation in the Informal Working Group on MSMEs 
will provide valuable perspectives on ways in which WTO Member s can better support MSME's 
participation in global trade. Similarly, its participation in informal discussions on investment 
facilitation for development aligns with the country's interest to create a favourable environment for 
and attract more foreign in vestment.  
3.33.  The Dominican  Republic has prioritized ICT adoption and digital transformation. While the 
country acceded to the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) in 2006, it has yet to ratify 
the agreement nearly twenty years later, according to the Se cretariat Report.  
3.34.  The Government may wish to consider how ratifying the agreement could help support its 
goals its ICT goals. Similarly, it may wish to consider how  participating in the WTO's Joint Statement 
Initiative on E -Commerce could help support its goals on digital transformation.  
3.35.  The Dominican  Republic received an appreciable number of questions, reflecting interest 
among the WTO Membership in its trade and economic policies, policy approach, and 
implementation. Allow me to highlight some of the iss ues raised by Members in this year's trade 
policy review.  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  3.36.  Members raised questions related to discrepancies in tariff rates, the Dominican  Republic's 
new customs laws and changes in government procurement policies, promotion of women and 
MSMEs in trade, ag ricultural policy, transparency and WTO notifications, and new trade agreements.  
3.37.  Several Members asked why the Dominican  Republic maintains applied tariff rates that exceed 
bound rates on several tariff lines. With respect to the country's new Customs Law,  several Members 
pointed out that the Law isn't fully implemented, noting that implementing regulations have yet to 
be finalized.  
3.38.  Some Members sought clarification of more detailed descriptions of trade policy 
developments, including more information on in tegrating women and MSMEs into development plans 
and international trade, as well as on priority sectors for diversifying and strengthening the 
Dominican economy.  
3.39.  Regarding transparency and WTO notifications, the Dominican  Republic was asked if intends 
to submit required annual notifications to the Committee on Import Licensing. It was also asked 
about plans to notify specific draft regulations to the WTO under the terms of the TBT Agreement.  
To conclude, I congratulate the Dominican Republic on the contrib utions it has made to the WTO 
and the multilateral trading system. I look forward to today's Review and discussion.  
  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS  
SINGAPORE  
4.1.  Allow me to begin by extending a very warm welcome to the delegation from the 
Dominican  Republic, led by A mbassador Jos é Sánchez -Fung. We would also like to express our 
appreciation to the Chair , Ambassador Atahliah  Molokomme, the discussant Ambassador 
María Pagán (United States), as well as the Secretariat for their insightful Reports and statements. 
Allow me to make three points.  
4.2.  First, the Dominican  Republic 's rapid recovery from the COVID -19 pandemic is commendable. 
The recovery was enabled by strong macro -economic fundamenta ls, well -considered policies, and 
an agile re -opening, which allowed the Dominican  Republic to take advantage of the global economic 
rebound. Despite the pandemic, the economy recovered strongly in 2021, with GDP rebounding by 
12.3% due to well -targeted po licies such as provision of credit through the Rapid Liquidity Facility 
to households and MSMEs, tax benefits to the health sector and tax deferrals for firms and individual 
households. Effective and nimble implementation of the National Vaccination Plan a s well as the 
Responsible Tourism Recovery Plan, has enabled GDP to grow to about 5% above pre -pandemic 
levels by the end of 2021.  
4.3.  Second, there is potential for Singapore and the Dominican  Republic to deepen our cooperation. 
In 2021, total bilateral trad e amounted to more than USD  235 million, which represents close to a 
three -fold increase from 2020, making the Dominican  Republic Singapore 's eighth largest trading 
partner in Latin  America and the Caribbean. In this context, we welcome the Dominican  Repub lic's 
continued efforts to improve the ease of investing and doing business in the country. For instance, 
the launch of the online Register of Foreign Direct Investment, to streamline and make the 
registration process more transparent, will facilitate the inflow of foreign investments. By creating 
an attractive environment for foreign investors, the Dominican  Republic aims to grow the export 
sector, which seeks to expand exports of "modern services ". This offers new opportunities to 
enhance bilateral trade and cooperation in areas such as the creative economy, the audio -visual 
industry, and ICT sector.  
4.4.  Third, on the multilateral front, Singapore and the Dominican  Republic are both steadfast 
supporters of the WTO. As open and trade -dependent Members, we share  the same commitment to 
strengthen the rules -based multilateral trading system, in order to provide predictability and stability 
for global trade to grow. Singapore commends the Dominican  Republic 's participation in the Joint 
Statement Initiative (JSI) on Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD), which reflects its keen 
interest in improving its business environment. We also urge the Dominican  Republic to participate 
in the JSIs on E -Commerce and Services Domestic Regulation. We note that the Dominican  Republic 
ratified the Agreement on Trade Facilitation in 2016, and encourage the Dominican  Republic to 
consider acceding to the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), given the importance of 
establishing open, fair and transparent conditions of competiti on in government procurement 
processes.  
4.5.  In conclusion, Singapore looks forward to continue working closely with the Permanent Mission 
of the Dominican  Republic in the WTO, ably led by Ambassador Jos é Sánchez -Fung and wish them 
every success for its fifth TPR. 
GUATEMALA  
4.6.  En nombre de Guatemala, damos la bienvenida y saludamos cordialmente a la delegación de 
la República  Dominicana, encabezada por el Embajador José  Sánchez -Fung, a quien agradecemos 
el amplio informe que nos ha presentado.  
4.7.  Agradecemos a la Secretaría por el reporte preparado, en el que se brinda una panorámica 
amplia y pormenorizada de las políticas comerciales de la República  Dominicana. Así como a la 
Embajadora de Estados  Unidos , Sra. María Pagán, por el detallado y elocue nte análisis que 
amablemente ha presentado el día de hoy, en su calidad de ponente.  
4.8.  Históricamente, Guatemala y la República  Dominicana han sostenido una relación muy 
cercana, basada en estrechos lazos de amistad y cooperación, en una gran diversidad de á reas de WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  nuestra agenda bilateral y regional. Muestra de ello ha sido la incorporación plena de la 
República  Dominicana al Sistema de Integración Económica Centroamericana (SICA). A principios 
de la década de 1990, la República  Dominicana ingresó al SICA en  calidad de observador. 
Posteriormente, en junio  de 2013, se incorporó ya como Estado Miembro del SICA. Este proceso ha 
sido de vital importancia para fortalecer la integración regional y poder definir en conjunto políticas 
sociales a nivel regional, así c omo programas y proyectos destinados a mejorar las condiciones de 
vida de los habitantes de nuestros países.  
4.9.  La membresía plena de la República  Dominicana en el SICA ha sido también importante para 
complementar nuestras estrechas relaciones comerciales. E n este ámbito, nuestras relaciones se 
rigen tanto por el Tratado de Libre Comercio Centroamérica -República  Dominicana - en vigencia 
desde 2001 - así como por el Tratado de Libre Comercio República  Dominicana -Estados  
Unidos -Centroamérica (RD -CAFTA) - vigente  para Guatemala desde julio  de 2006.  
4.10.  Ambos acuerdos han sido fuente de importantes beneficios y han apoyado un crecimiento 
dinámico y sostenido de nuestros intercambios comerciales. Estos acuerdos han contribuido a reducir 
los costos de transacción, a generar mayor certeza jurídica para las i nversiones y a unir esfuerzos 
para alcanzar una mayor diversificación y una constante mejoría en la calidad de los bienes y 
servicios regionales.  
4.11.  De acuerdo con cifras del 2022, los principales productos que Guatemala exporta a la 
República  Dominicana son  detergentes y jabones, productos farmacéuticos, azúcares y artículos de 
confitería, así como productos de perfumería, plásticos y sus manufacturas. En sentido inverso, los 
principales productos que Guatemala importa de la República  Dominicana son derivado s del 
petróleo, productos farmacéuticos y materiales plásticos y sus manufacturas.  
4.12.  En relación con el examen de políticas comerciales que hoy se analiza, resaltamos el 
importante crecimiento económico registrado durante el período 2014 -2022, la puesta en marcha 
de acciones que promueven la atracción de inversión extranjera, así como su acelerada recuperación 
tras la pandemia de  la COVID -19. 
4.13.  De igual forma, consideramos que un aspecto muy positivo durante el periodo de examen es 
la implementación de una nueva Ley de Aduanas con el objetivo de facilitar y simplificar los 
procedimientos aduaneros, a fin de dar una adecuada implementación al Acuerdo de Facilitación de 
Comercio.  
4.14.  La Estrategia Nacional de desarrollo 2030, continúa promoviendo una const ante interacción 
entre las agencias del Gobierno involucradas en temas comerciales y por lo tanto favorece y facilita 
la formulación de políticas comerciales armonizadas. Destacándose dentro de ellas, las que procuran 
el involucramiento de las mujeres dent ro de la actividad exportadora.  
4.15.  Otro aspecto por destacar dentro de este periodo de examen es la creación de la Unidad de 
Propiedad Intelectual de la Procuraduría General de la República cuya responsabilidad es investigar 
y perseguir los delitos de propie dad intelectual.  
4.16.  Para finalizar queremos agradecer a la República  Dominicana por las respuestas a las 
preguntas planteadas por Guatemala, las cuales fueron ya remitidas a nuestra capital para su 
respectivo análisis.  
4.17.  Reconocemos los esfuerzos emprendidos p or la República  Dominicana durante el período 
evaluado en este examen de políticas comerciales y deseamos a la delegación que hoy los 
representa, la conclusión exitosa del mismo.  
CHILE  
4.18.  Chile saluda a la delegación de la República  Dominicana, encabezada por  S. E. Embajador y 
amigo Doctor José  R. Sánchez -Fung, y felicita a este país por el trabajo realizado desde su último 
examen.  
4.19.  Saludamos también a todo su equipo de la Misión ante la OMC, que pese a su reciente creación 
está dejando ya una muy relevante im pronta en la Organización. Reconocemos el gran trabajo WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  realizado tanto por la Secretaría como por la República  Dominicana en la elaboración de los 
respectivos informes y felicitamos a la ponente, embajadora María  Pagán, de Estados  Unidos.  
4.20.  Chile y la Repúb lica Dominicana son dos economías abiertas que comparten una visión común 
en su estrategia de integración y buscamos continuamente la coordinación en temas de la agenda 
internacional.  
4.21.  Las relaciones económico -comerciales entre Chile y la República  Dominic ana no cuentan con 
un acuerdo preferencial de comercio. Sin embargo, y a pesar de aquello, el intercambio comercial 
entre Chile y la República  Dominicana registró un total de US D 116 millones en 2021, un 33% más 
que en 2020. Las exportaciones de Chile a la  República  Dominicana registraron US D 96 millones, un 
28% mayor que en 2020. Por otro lado, las importaciones desde la República  Dominicana registraron 
USD 20 millones, un 72% mayor respecto de 2020.  
4.22.  El comercio de servicios en lo que refiere a las exportaciones de Chile a la 
República  Dominicana alcanzó los US D 1,9 millones y acumula un crecimiento promediado anual 
para el período 2016 -2021 de 5,7%. Asimismo, y si bien no contamos con cifras relativas  a la 
exportación de servicios de la República  Dominicana hacia Chile, destacamos que es uno de los 
destinos turísticos preferidos por los chilenos.  
4.23.  Por su parte, la inversión chilena en República  Dominicana asciende a los US D 0,7 millones 
en 2021.  
4.24.  Es por  esto, queremos destacar el alto interés que tiene nuestro país en proseguir en las 
conversaciones con República  Dominicana para estrechar formalmente las relaciones entre ambos 
países, atendiendo los niveles de ambición de ambas partes y evaluando potenci ales objetivos 
comunes. Entre los posibles beneficios de formalizar nuestra relación, están el incrementar y mejorar 
las condiciones para la comercialización de bienes y servicios, con incentivos atractivos para 
aumentar y promover la presencia de nuestros  exportadores, atraer inversiones, mejorar el 
ambiente de negocios y fomentar la cooperación.  
4.25.  En el plano multilateral y particularmente en esta Organización, la República  Dominicana es 
un socio constructivo con quien coincidimos en numerosas materias. La  República  Dominicana es un 
Miembro comprometido con el sistema multilateral de comercio basado en normas y que participa 
activamente en las negociaciones de la OMC.  
4.26.  Muestra de esto, es su participación en las Iniciativas Conjuntas sobre Grupo de Trabajo sobre 
las mipymes, el Grupo de Trabajo sobre Comercio y Género, y la Facilitación de Inversiones para el 
Desarrollo. Como co -coordinadora de esta última, agradezco a la República  Dominicana por su activa 
participación y los invitamos a compartir su experie ncia para que otros Miembros puedan también 
beneficiarse de la creación de un clima favorable a la inversión extranjera.  
4.27.  Para este examen, Chile ha formulado preguntas en materia de su régimen de comercio e 
inversión, principalmente en lo relativo a la for mulación y objetivos de su política comercial, así 
como sobre su programa de Fondo Mujer Exportadora, que da cuenta que nuestro interés común de 
fomentar las exportaciones de mipymes lideradas por mujeres.  
4.28.  Asimismo, hemos formulado preguntas sobre la polí tica agropecuaria y medidas para 
promover la igualdad de género en este importante sector.  
4.29.  Nuestra delegación agradece desde ya las respuestas, las cuales están siendo analizadas por 
nuestros equipos en Santiago.  
4.30.  Finalmente, deseamos a la República  Domini cana un exitoso quinto examen de sus políticas 
comerciales.  
  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  COLOMBIA  
4.31.  Hago esta intervención en nombre de la delegación de Colombia ante la OMC, no sin antes 
desearles un feliz y venturoso 2023 a todos los asistentes a este importante ejercicio. Saludamos 
atentamente a la delegación de la República  Dominicana, encabezada por José  Sánchez -Fung, 
Embajador, Representante Permanente de la Misión de la República  Dominicana ante la Organización 
Mundial del Comercio, a Manuel  Díaz Franjul, Director de Ne gociaciones Comerciales del Ministerio 
de Relaciones Exteriores, así como a nuestros colegas y amigos de esta delegación.  
4.32.  De igual manera, exaltamos el detallado análisis y comentarios presentados por la delegada 
permanente de Estados  Unidos ante la OMC, M aría Pagán, como ponente de esta evaluación, así 
como el trabajo realizado por la Secretaría de la OMC y las autoridades de la República  Dominicana 
en la elaboración de los Informes de este examen de política comercial.  
4.33.  Así mismo, queremos agradecer a la R epública  Dominicana por su disposición para responder 
las preguntas que le formuló Colombia en el marco de este ejercicio. Las preguntas versan sobre 
temas muy variados, pasando por los procedimientos y tasas aduaneras y de valoración en aduana, 
la polític a fiscal, los remedios comerciales, hasta medidas en materia de propiedad intelectual, y la 
implementación de una política pública en materia de fomento a la competencia.  
4.34.  Colombia y República  Dominicana compartimos un sin número de elementos socio culturales 
y económicos similares pues, al igual que nosotros, son un país caribe que encuentran en sus 
paradisiacas playas una enorme fuente de generación de ingresos, por lo que allí el intercambio de 
buenas prácticas puede ayudarnos para avanzar en una explotación sostenible de nuestros recursos. 
Además, Colombia y República  Dominicana tienen complementariedades en sus aparatos 
productivos y en tal sentido pueden buscar acercamientos comerciales y cooperación en diferentes 
sectores.  
4.35.  Teniendo en cuenta el  informe de la Secretaría, celebramos la resiliencia de la economía de 
la República  Dominicana durante la pandemia, la cual ha registrado un crecimiento interanual 
promedio de 5,6% durante los primeros seis  meses del 2022. Además, el total de ocupados en 
enero-marzo de 2022 se ubicó en nivel similar a igual trimestre de 2019, previo a la pandemia, 
destacando cifras récord para el sector de zonas francas en junio  de 2022 y una recuperación 
del 100% en los empleos en el sector turismo.  
4.36.  La República  Dominican a es, además, un actor dinámico en la OMC siendo Miembro desde 
el 9 de marzo de  1995. Asimismo, otorga como mínimo el trato de la nación más favorecida (NMF) 
a todos sus socios comerciales. Este es el quinto examen de sus políticas comerciales.  
4.37.  Finalmente , encontramos muy interesante la apuesta que hace la República  Dominicana en 
materia de ciberseguridad como fomento al desarrollo de las Fintech en su estructura económica, 
siendo uno de los elementos más desarrollados en la respuesta brindada a nuestras p reguntas.  
4.38.  Nos gustaría conocer a profundidad el proceso mediante el cual la República  Dominicana ha 
desarrollado una institucionalidad para el fomento de la competencia como instrumento para generar 
desarrollo económico, pues se entiende que Pro -Competenci a vigila que el mercado no presente 
prácticas anticompetitivas que no les permitan a todos los actores participar en la actividad 
económica. Para esto, resulta interesante conocer además si se tienen resultados de la 
implementación de este modelo.  
4.39.  Además, Colombia quisiera mencionar que la apuesta por la creación de un ecosistema para 
el crecimiento de las Fintech le es atractiva y que, a través del informe de la Secretaría y de las 
respuestas allegadas, pudimos conocer un poco de toda esta apuesta que vien e haciendo la 
República  Dominicana, por lo que agradecemos esta información y quisiéramos poder profundizar 
en estas cuestiones más adelante.  
4.40.  Finalmente, frente a nuestra pregunta respecto de la forma para determinar estos impuestos 
a los productos y su in cidencia sobre las importaciones, agradecemos su respuesta, aunque aún 
estaríamos atentos a una explicación quizás más detallada respecto de la forma y, especialmente, 
el impacto de estas medidas sobre las importaciones.  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  4.41.  Para concluir, quisiera desearle a la delegación de la República  Dominicana un exitoso examen 
de sus políticas comerciales. Extendemos un cordial reconocimiento al equipo en Ginebra por la 
relación de cooperación entre nuestras dos Misiones, y reitero a la delegación dominicana en Ginebra 
nuestro permanente apoyo en sus labores.  
ARGENTINA  
4.42.  Quisiéramos asociarnos a los Miembros que han dado la bienvenida a la delegación de la 
República  Dominicana, encabezada por el Embajador José  Sánchez -Fung, Representante 
Permanente de la República  Dominican a ante la Organización Mundial del Comercio (OMC) y la 
Conferencia de las Naciones  Unidas sobre Comercio y Desarrollo (UNCTAD), en Ginebra. Y 
aprovechamos la oportunidad para augurarle el mayor de los éxitos en este ejercicio.  
4.43.  Apreciamos el excelente info rme brindado por la Embajadora María  Pagán (Representante 
Permanente de la Misión de los Estados  Unidos ante la OMC) en su calidad de ponente. Agradecemos, 
al mismo tiempo, los informes preparados por la República  Dominicana y la Secretaría, que nos han 
permitido actualizar y profundizar nuestro conocimiento de prácticas comerciales de este Miembro.  
4.44.  La Argentina observa con beneplácito el crecimiento interanual promedio de la economía 
dominicana, que superó el 5% en los primeros seis  meses del 2022, al igual que la recuperación de 
los niveles de empleo en términos similares a las cifras prepandemia y el control de la inflación.  
4.45.  Nuestro país felicita a la República  Dominicana porque, según el informe presentado, pese a 
las adversidades de la coyuntura ha logrado registrar, entre los años 2015 -2021, una tasa de 
crecimiento media anual del producto inter no bruto (PIB) de 5,1%, y en el proceso de recuperación 
económica y financiera post COVID, en 2021, en el que el PIB real registró una expansión interanual 
de 12,3%, continuando esta tendencia en los primeros meses de 2022, con un crecimiento del 6,1% 
en el primer trimestre, en línea con una convergencia hacia el comportamiento del PIB potencial.  
4.46.  La República  Dominicana también experimentó un incremento de los  flujos de inversión 
extranjera directa, que según las cifras del informe, entre los años 2014 y 20 21, totalizaron 
USD 21.610  millones.  
4.47.  Durante el período de examen se dieron visitas de alto nivel entre los representantes de 
nuestros países, acuerdos bilaterales y en el marco del MERCOSUR, numerosos proyectos de 
cooperación entre ambas naciones, radica ción de empresas argentinas en territorio dominicano, un 
creciente intercambio comercial, y un gran número de argentinos  y argentinas han  disfruta do de los 
servicios turísticos que ofrece la República  Dominicana.  
4.48.  En materia de comercio bilateral, destacam os el incremento de nuestro intercambio: durante 
los primeros nueve meses de 2022, las exportaciones argentinas de bienes a la 
República  Dominicana alcanzaron los US D 386,8  millones, un 49,2% superiores a las de igual 
período del año anterior. En cuanto a las importaciones de bienes en ese mismo per iodo, alcanzaron 
los US D 4,2 millones, un 17,5% superiores a las de igual período del año anterior.  
4.49.  Los principales productos exportados por Argentina a la República  Dominicana en 2021, 
representativos del 87,8%  del total, fueron grasas y aceites animales  (35,8%), cereales  (20,2%), 
vehículos automóviles  (14,2%), combustibles minerales  (9,9%) y productos farmacéuticos  (7,7%). 
Los principales productos importados en ese mismo año, representativos del 82,7% del tota l, fueron 
instrumentos y aparatos  (35,1%), productos farmacéuticos  (26,3%), tabaco  (10,1%), máquinas y 
aparatos  (6,5%) y bebidas  (4,8%).  
4.50.  La República  Dominicana es un Miembro comprometido con el sistema multilateral de 
comercio. Coincidimos con la Repúbli ca Dominicana en que es esencial contar con una OMC fuerte y 
un sistema multilateral de comercio basado en normas que contribuya al desarrollo inclusivo, 
sostenible y equitativo de todos sus Miembros  
4.51.  Luego de la ratificación en 2016 del Acuerdo sobre Facilitación del Comercio (AFC) y en el 
período bajo examen, la República  Dominicana ha tomado medidas concretas para promover la 
facilitación del comercio, como la nueva Ley  General de Aduanas  168-218, la  Iniciativa del Despacho 
de Mercancías en 24  horas, el programa "Exporta+" para facilitar las exportaciones, así como el WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  perfeccionamiento de la Iniciativa de Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior (VUCE) y la figura del 
Operador Económico Autorizado Simpli ficado, por mencionar algunas.  
4.52.  Hemos remitido preguntas por escrito a la República  Dominicana que versan sobre diferentes 
cuestiones regulatorias, y agradecemos las respuestas oportunamente remitidas.  
4.53.  Al tiempo de reiterar nuestro reconocimiento por esta nueva oportunidad de intercambiar 
consideraciones sobre prácticas comerciales de la República  Dominicana, permítanos señalar, una 
vez más, la relevancia de este ejercicio de transparencia en todos sus aspectos y desear a las 
autoridades dominicanas una exi tosa conclusión del presente examen.  
UNITED  KINGDOM  
4.54.  Quisiera dar una muy cálida bienvenida a la delegación de la República  Dominicana, bajo el 
liderazgo inspirador de nuestro colega y gran amigo mío, el Embajador José  Sánchez -Fung.  
4.55.  Let me thank the Governm ent of the Dominican  Republic and the WTO Secretariat for their 
Reports and welcome the typically insightful comments of our most distinguished Chair and also our 
discussant, Ambassador  Pagán, Ambassador of the United  States of America, fresh from her own 
nation 's TPR.  
4.56.  Let me start by saying, we commend the Dominican  Republic on their GDP growth rates 
between 2014 -2019, exceeding the historical average at 6.2% and that we appreciate the 
Dominican  Republic 's responses to our 18  advance written questions. We  were interested to know 
more about customs procedures, import measures in particular tax stamps, technical requirements, 
and single investment windows. These highlight the granular interest which we and British 
companies place in effective trading relatio ns with the Dominican  Republic. As with other Members, 
we also raised questions regarding the agriculture sector, in particular exemptions for import 
licenses.  
4.57.  The Secretariat 's Report for this TPR indicates that over the review period, the 
Dominican  Republic's economy had a remarkable recovery from the COVID -19 pandemic, with a 
contraction in GDP of almost 7% in 2020 followed by growth of over 12% in 2021  
4.58.  We were also pleased to note the shift towards sustainable agriculture practices during the 
review pe riod and how these practices have contributed towards increased food security, rural jobs, 
and agricultural exports. The U nited Kingdom  is keen to hear more about developments within 
Dominican  Republic 's agriculture health and safety system.  
4.59.  However, as th e Secretariat Report also identifies, since their last Review, where sanitary and 
phytosanitary measures were deemed unfit there has not been much marked progress as there is 
still no centralized mechanism for the preparation of SPS measures. We therefore encourage the 
Dominican  Republic to pay particular attention to these key areas.  
4.60.  We are grateful to the Government of the Dominican  Republic for being one of the first 
countries to ratify the CARIFORUM -UK Economic Partnership Agreement on 4  April 2019. We are 
grateful the Dominican  Republic for their continued collaboration in the implementation of the 
CARIFORUM -UK EPA and we look forward to working together to fully implement all areas of the 
agreement.  
4.61.  To ensure the continuity of the CARIFORUM -EU Economic Partnership Agreement, on 
7 October  2021 the first meeting of the CARIFORUM -UK Economic Partnership Agreement 's Trade 
and Development Committee took place. The meeting was an opportunity for parties to provide 
updates on relevant trade policy dev elopments in the United  Kingdom and in the Caribbean region, 
and to reaffirm their desire for a prompt ratification of the EPA by all parties.  
4.62.  We also discussed matters of joint interest including tariff liberali zation, trade in goods  and 
services, and ge ographical indications. The parties noted with satisfaction that the EPA had secured 
continuity of a trading relationship worth almost GBP 4 billion in 2021 and expressed their desire to 
further develop sustainable and inclusive trade underpinned by the EP A. WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  4.63.  We are grateful to the Government of the Dominican  Republic for being one of the first 
countries to ratify the CARIFORUM -UK Economic Partnership Agreement on 4  April 2019. We are 
grateful the Dominican  Republic for their continued collaboration in the i mplementation of the 
CARIFORUM -UK EPA and we look forward to working together to fully implement all areas of the 
agreement.  
4.64.  Turning to exogenous challenges, Members representing small island developing states and 
small vulnerable economies rightly highlig ht the increasing threat presented by extreme climactic 
events.  
4.65.  According to an ongoing research programme by the EU 's Global Climate Change Alliance Plus 
Initiative, the Dominican  Republic is the 11th most vulnerable country to climate change in the worl d. 
In a region of intense cyclonic activity, the Dominican  Republic is one of the WTO Members most 
threatened by hydrometeorological events. The impact of these extreme events has provoked 
economic losses in the order of almost USD 10 billion, not to menti on the impact on human and 
natural life.  
4.66.  Relatedly, Global Supply Chains, the bedrock of free and fair trade and the conduit to its 
benefits are also increasingly threatened by extreme weather, from damaged infrastructure to 
disrupted logistics and the rip pling knock -on effects. It 's a reminder that, as a Membership, we must 
accelerate efforts to moderni ze the international trading environment, such as through harmoni zed 
standards and digiti zed customs procedures.  
4.67.  We recogni ze the challenge for SIDS to dive rsify considering their vulnerability to external 
shocks and the impacts of climate change and natural disasters. Indeed, SIDS are important partners 
for the UK. In our International Development Strategy, we set out our vision that SIDS will be more 
climat e and economically resilient by 2030. And we salute the continued constructive role played by 
the Dominican  Republic in representing the interests of SIDS in a whole range of multilateral fora, 
in Geneva and beyond.  
4.68.  Just last month, alongside Canada and t he Alliance of Small Island Sates, we launched the 
Principles for Improved Aid Impact in SIDS at the Effective Development Cooperation Summit here 
in Geneva. We hope that the principles will be a useful tool in improving the quality of aid and 
ensuring tha t development partners align with SIDS ' own priorities.  
4.69.  We look forward to working with the international community to drive action on SIDS climate 
and economic resilience ahead of the pivotal UN  SIDS Summit next year. The UK is committed to 
delivering th e promises of the Glasgow Climate Pact, including action on the scale of finance, 
considering vulnerability in our finance decisions, and addressing loss and damage.  
4.70.  To conclude, we wish our colleagues from the Dominican  Republic well and a successful 
fifth Trade Policy Review . 
UNITED  STATES  
4.71.  The United  States is pleased to welcome head of delegation Ambassador Jos é-Sánchez -Fung, 
and the rest of the Dominican delegation to the fifth  Trade Policy Review of the Dominican  Republic. 
We appreciate the opportunity to review the significant work the Dominican  Republic has undertaken 
the past eight years since its last Review.  
4.72.  As the Dominican  Republic 's principal trading partner, the United  States ' commercial 
relationship with the Dominican  Republic is st rong, positive, and growing. We share, as fellow FTA 
partners under the Dominican  Republic -Central  America -United  States Free Trade Agreement 
(CAFTA -DR), a commitment to a rules -based approach to international trade. CAFTA -DR is a 
comprehensive agreement t hat covers trade in goods and services, intellectual property rights, 
investment, telecommunications, labour, and environment, and promotes economic integration 
among partner countries . 
4.73.  The United  States also stands ready as a partner to assist in the Domi nican  Republic 's 
implementation of its international commitments and market expansion. Just last week, USAID 
announced the launch of Enterprises for Development, Growth, and Empowerment Fund (the WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  "EDGE  Fund"). The USD 50 million EDGE  Fund will include part nerships and additional resources 
towards the Dominican  Republic 's implementation of the TFA. Furthermore, the Commercial Law 
Development Fund ( "CLDP") expects to receive new funding to continue and expand technical 
assistance in Central America to facilit ate trade and alleviate supply chain disruptions.  
4.74.  During the period under review, the Dominican  Republic has modified its laws and regulations 
to implement domestic reforms and WTO commitments. We are pleased to recognize the customs 
modernization and tra de facilitation measures adopted by the Dominican  Republic following entry 
into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement. These practical and significant changes to improve 
the movement of goods across borders demonstrate the importance that the Governmen t places on 
the multilateral trading system and wisely leverages the TFA as an engine for economic growth. We 
want to encourage the Dominican  Republic to remain active in sharing its implementation 
experiences in the Committee so that others can learn from  your accomplishments.  
4.75.  We note that the Dominican  Republic still faces a number of challenges, and we noted our 
concerns through our advance written questions. For example, the United  States is interested in how 
the Government has taken steps to ensure sug ar production is free of forced labour, and how the 
Government is incorporating labour law compliance into its export competitiveness and integration 
into international trade. The United  States is also looking forward to the Dominican  Republic 's 
responses regarding: when the Government will submit its Annual Questionnaire to the Committee 
on Import Licensing, the comment process for certain draft regulations regarding hygiene products 
and steel rebar, updates to the SPS regulatory framework, dom estic support programs for rice and 
other agricultural products, the process for price stabilization of rice, and a number of issues 
regarding intellectual property regulation.  We encourage the Dominican  Republic to join with the 
United  States and other Me mbers in our collective effort to enhance and improve WTO technical 
assistance for transparency and notification requirements.  
4.76.  Despite concerns, we recognize and commend the Dominican  Republic 's holistic approach to 
improving the lives of its citizens and economic competitiveness through a series of ambitious 
national development plans . For instance, to address the quality of life and create more opportunities 
for its citizens, the Dominican  Republic is developing policies on several cross -cutting topics, 
including gender, inclusive participation, sustainability, transparency, vulnerable groups, and digital 
transformation. These issues are also important to address within the context of the work we do 
here at the WTO. We encourage the Dominican  Republic to s hare its experiences on the impact of 
these policies on people's quality of life in relevant WTO committees and bodies.  Bringing these kind 
of discussions to the WTO is part of our collective effort to reform the Organization, to develop more 
relevant outp uts which contribute to the overall welfare of our citizens.  
4.77.  Other positive developments include the Dominican  Republic 's recent efforts to strengthen IP 
enforcement to address piracy issues and streamlining tasks of the IP offices in general. We 
encourage  continued work to strengthen the patent review and approval process and addressing 
piracy. We also urge the Dominican  Republic to continue to strengthen policies and practices 
regarding technical standards, SPS, and import licensing to facilitate trade in  products such as food 
and other consumer products, agricultural goods, and steel, and regulatory transparency. We hope 
to hear more in this review about the government’s plans to address these types of issues.  
4.78.  We thank the delegation for providing respon ses to our advance written questions and we are 
closely reviewing those responses as part of this review.  
4.79.  The United  States looks forward to further de veloping  our trade and economic partnership 
with the Dominican  Republic. We commend the Dominican  Republi c on its active participation in the 
WTO, and for its longstanding commitment to the multilateral trading system. We remain committed 
to continued close cooperation with the Dominican  Republic to deepen our relationship bilaterally, in 
regional fora, and i n the WTO.  
  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  CANADA  
4.80.  Canada joins others in welcoming H.E. Ambassador Sánchez -Fung and the delegation of the 
Dominican  Republic to the Trade Policy Review.  Also thanks to the discussant my friend, Ambassador 
Pagán, and the Secretariat for their very insight ful and helpful Reports.  
4.81.  We also join others in commending the Dominican  Republic's  rapid economic recovery back 
to pre -pandemic levels and the positive macro -economic forecasts.  
4.82.  We note that the Dominican  Republic has taken numerous  important step s forwa rd, including 
one that we would like to highlight, t he new General Customs Law enacted in August  2021. This new 
law provides the country with modern legislation that promotes the development of trade by 
streamlining customs formalities. For example, the Ge neral Customs Law legalized electronic 
declarations and includes provisions on advance rulings.  
4.83.  Canada also welcomes the Dominican  Republic 's efforts towards increased transparency and 
the reduction of corruption and the measures being taken to improve th e FDI ecosystem in the 
country. The recently enacted Territorial Planning and Land Use Law is definitely a positive step in 
the right direction. We encourage the Dominican  Republic to continue to take steps to ensure that 
the laws and regulations on the books are consistently applied in even -handed manner to avoid 
undermining the investment climate.  
4.84.  The transparency function of this Organization is of key importance, i t helps all Members 
inform their stakeholders about the policies of trading partners and allows us to better understand 
the particular circumstances and needs of each Member. In this regard, we commend the 
Dominican  Republic for recent improvements  to its notifications, and note, for example, that the 
Dominican  Republic has recently brought its agricultural domestic support notifications up to date.  
We encourage the Dominican  Republic to continue in this positive direction and  submit any other 
outstanding notifications .  
4.85.  Finally, we would like to acknowledge and  thank the Dominican  Republic for its engagement 
on trade and gender issues. We would like to extend an invitation to the Dominican  Republic to join 
the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions , and also urge them to consider 
joining t he Joint Statement Initiative on E-Commerce.  
4.86.  In conclusion, Canada looks forward to continuing close cooperation with the 
Dominican  Republic to strengthen the WTO and the multilateral trading system , which  raises living 
standards, promote s sustainable dev elopment, and achieve s inclusive growth.  
EL SALVADOR  
4.87.  En nombre del Gobierno de El  Salvador, deseo unirme a las delegaciones que me han 
precedido, dando la bienvenida a la distinguida delegación del Gobierno de la República  Dominicana, 
encabezada por el est imado colega y amigo,  Embajador Sánchez -Fung, así como a la delegación que 
lo acompaña de capital.  
4.88.  Asimismo, agradezco las muy acertadas apreciaciones de la Embajadora Mar ía Pagán en su 
calidad de ponente,  y a la Secretaría por el excelente informe presentado.  
4.89.  Para El  Salvador es un honor participar en este ejercicio de transparencia, que nos permite 
tener una visión amplia y profunda de las políticas comerciales que ha adoptado la 
República  Dominicana, y las relacionadas al comercio de nuestros socios comerciales.  
4.90.  Este quinto examen de las políticas comerciales nos permite constatar los desafíos que todos 
los Miembros de esta Organización, incluyendo la República  Dominicana, hemos enfrentado a raíz 
de la p andemia y otras crisis.  
4.91.  El impacto de la COVID -19 tuvo consecuencias negativas en la economía dominicana, en 
particular el área de los servicios turísticos. Como varios Miembros, la República  Dominicana 
implementó diversas medidas para superar los efectos  negativos de la pandemia, tales como el WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  paquete fiscal, la inyección de liquidez del Banco  Central, además de la reducción de los requisitos 
en materia de reservas y las tasas de interés.  
4.92.  No obstante, la inflación se mantuvo durante la mayor parte del pe riodo objeto del examen 
debido a las interrupciones en la cadena de suministro, y el aumento de los precios de la energía . 
4.93.  Sobre la base del informe de la Secretaría, queremos resaltar las medidas orientadas a facilitar 
un nivel adecuado de liquidez, y otr os incentivos para la simplificación de los procedimientos y mayor 
facilidad para el acceso al crédito, entre otras medidas que contribuyeron a la pronta recuperación 
en 2021 . 
4.94.  En materia de facilitación del comercio, aplaudimos la creación del Comité Nacio nal de 
Facilitación del Comercio para agilizar la interacción con los demás organismos de control de 
comercio y el sector privado, así como para implementar el AFC.  
4.95.  Asimismo, se destaca el régimen de incentivos para el sector y las inversiones en 
infraest ructura marítima orientada al turismo , que han permitido atraer inversión extranjera y  
contribuir  al crecimiento del sector.  
4.96.  En el marco multilateral, se subraya la activa participación de la República  Dominicana en 
diversos temas de la OMC y que forman pa rte de sus tres estrategias de la agenda comercial: 
1) fortalecimiento del sistema multilateral del comercio, 2) la reactivación del Órgano de 
Apelaciones , y 3)  la reactivación del brazo negociador.  
4.97.  Congratulamos a la República  Dominicana por la presentac ión de un número importante de 
notificaciones ante la Secretaría de la OMC durante el periodo de examen.  
4.98.  Es importante señalar que la República  Dominicana mantiene una amplia red de acuerdos 
comerciales que incluye la región Centroamericana, países con qu ienes siempre ha tenido una 
cercana relación comercial.  
4.99.  En lo que respecta a la relación bilateral, a lo largo de los años las relaciones diplomáticas 
entre El  Salvador y la República  Dominicana han avanzado considerablemente en la construcción de 
un vínc ulo sólido reflejado en múltiples muestras de colaboración en las áreas político -diplomáticas, 
económico -comerciales, entre otras, tanto a nivel bilateral, regional y multilateral.  
4.100.   No me queda más que desear a República Dominicana muchos éxitos en este ex amen.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
4.101.   I first like to welcome the delegation of the Dominican  Republic, led by Ambassador 
José Sánchez -Fung. I would also like to extend the EU 's appreciation to the discussant, 
Ambassador  Pagán, for her introduction of the main developments in the Dominican  Republic 's 
economic and trade policies since the last Trade Policy Review.  
4.102.   On the economic front, the Dominican  Republic showed an impressive economic recovery 
from the COVID pandemic with a 12 .3% GDP increase in 2021 and a c ontinued positive trend 
in 2022. The record level of inward remittances, the quick restart of the tourism sector, the excellent 
performance of the free trade zones and the construction sector, and sustained investment flows 
have been key factors in this si gnificant economic rebound. It demonstrates the resilience of the 
country 's remarkable growth trajectory over the last 25  years.  
4.103.   The Dominican  Republic has financial stability and an attractive business climate. It is the 
EU's main trading partner in the Caribbean as well as the main destination of EU direct investment 
in the region.  
4.104.   Bilateral trade relations between the EU and the Dominican  Republic are based on the 
Economic Partnership Agreement with CARIFORUM States, in application since 2008. I am plea sed 
to note that the Dominican  Republic is well advanced in implementing this agreement, having fully 
implemented the tariff liberali zation schedule. There is also a high utili zation rate of the preferences 
by Dominican exporters to the EU. Bilateral trade  reached a record high in 2021 of EUR 3.2 billion. WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  Since the entry into force of the Economic Partnership Agreement, Dominican exports to the EU have 
doubled. Perhaps more importantly, they have also diversified, now including manufactured products 
of high er added value than traditional agribusiness commodities. While we do not yet have the 
figures for last year, estimates suggest bilateral trade will likely have again set a new record.  
4.105.   I must also mention two  aspects of the Dominican  Republic 's trade poli cy that the EU would 
suggest to modify. First, there is a need for increased transparency in customs regarding the 
application of preferential tariff rates, the classification of goods and the use of rules of origin. 
Second, there are some trade barriers a nd discriminatory measures such as the discriminatory 
application of value added tax to some imported products (ham, cheese, and canned vegetables) in 
comparison with "like" domestic counterparts. The EU has raised this issue in WTO committees 
before and w e would like to insist on a prompt solution to this discriminatory treatment of foreign 
products.  
4.106.   The EU fully supports the Dominican  Republic 's efforts for economic development that is 
inclusive and sustainable. The EU is a major provider of cooperation d evelopment assistance – 
EUR 150 million including grants and blending between 2014 and 2020. The EU remains committed 
to supporting the Dominican  Republic under the new EU multiannual financial framework, in 
particular on key priorities of green transition  and digital transformation.  
4.107.   The past years have seen new challenges, emergencies, and threats. In this context, it is 
more important to an ever to maintain and strengthen the rules -based economic cooperation. 
The WTO - and its reform - is an important gua rdrail in turbulent times.  
4.108.   We therefore welcome the Dominican  Republic 's participation in some key WTO files, such 
as Investment Facilitation for Development, and the work on MSMEs, and that it became an observer 
in the Government Procurement Agreement. W e would, however, encourage the Dominican  Republic 
to consider taking further steps towards greater involvement, by joining the other joint statement 
initiatives – on e-commerce and services domestic regulation - as well as the initiatives related to 
trade and sustainability.  
4.109.   The EU appreciates the Dominican  Republic 's replies to the advance questions, which we 
have received and are examining. On behalf of the EU, I wish the Dominican  Republic a successful 
review.  
CHINA   
4.110.   Good morning colleagues. Happy C hinese New Year to everyone! This is the Year of the 
Rabbit, which symbolizes kindness, elegance, and beauty. I wish everyone a prosperous Year of the 
Rabbit and a bright future.  
4.111.   I would like to extend a warm welcome to the delegation of the Dominican  Republic led by 
H.E. José Sánchez -Fung, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Dominican  Republic to 
the WTO and the UNCTAD, and appreciate the Government of the Dominican  Republic for the 
preparation for this review. I would also like to express my gr atitude to the discussant, 
H.E. Ambassador María  Pagán, for her insightful remarks. Let me also thanks the Secretariat for 
their hard work.  
4.112.   China commends the remarkable progress the Dominican  Republic has achieved in its 
economic development since its pre vious Review. We are impressed by the rapid GDP growth of the 
Dominican  Republic, with more than 6% each year from 2014 to 2019, and especially the strong 
economic recovery in 2021 with GDP growth of 12.3% and continued growth in the first six months 
of 20 22, with growth of 5.6%. This steady growth reflects the Dominican  Republic's great efforts 
and positive outcome of the coordination of monetary and fiscal policies, diversification of production 
structure, and implementation of reforms.  
4.113.   China is pleased t o note the Dominican  Republic's trade policy objectives are to facilitate 
trade and create a favourable environment for foreign investment. We welcome the various trade 
facilitation measures adopted by the Dominican  Republic, including the new General Cust oms Law, 
the initiative for the clearance of goods within 24  hours, and the fine -tuning of the single window for 
foreign trade initiative. These measures and initiatives have streamlined the customs procedures WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  and process involved in the clearance of goods , reduced the time and cost of foreign trade 
operations, and modernized its legal instrument that conforms to international rules, such as WTO 
Trade Facilitation Agreement. We also welcome the establishment of the Investment Promotion 
Bureau and other impo rtant measures, such as the Investment Single Window, which will enhance 
the investment climate of the Dominican  Republic.  
4.114.   We are pleased to see the trade policy adopted by the Dominican  Republic has delivered 
good results. The Dominican  Republic's externa l sector are performing well. The total exports of 
goods during the first half of 2022 were 16.5% higher than during the same period the previous 
year. The foreign direct investment reached USD  1.9 billion between January and June  2022, an 
increase of 8% o ver the same period in 2021.  
4.115.   On the multilateral front, China appreciates the Dominican  Republic's continued support to 
the multilateral trading system. China commends the Dominican  Republic's active participation in 
and positive contribution to the WTO wo rk in numerous areas, in particular the Investment 
Facilitation for Development. We welcome the Dominican  Republic to implement the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement and establish the national Trade Facilitation Committee. We also look forward 
to the Dominican  Republic's participation in the informal dialogue on plastic pollution and 
environmentally sustainable plastics trade. China will continue working together with the 
Dominican  Republic to uphold the multilateral trading system that contributes to inclusive and 
sustainable development.  
4.116.   On the bilateral economic and trade cooperation, China and the Dominican  Republic have 
made impressive progress in this regard since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2018. The 
Dominican  Republic is China's largest t rading partner in the Caribbean. The bilateral trade volume 
from January to November  2022 reached around USD  4.45 billion, with an increase of  15.1% year 
on year. In particular, the Dominican  Republic's export to China was 56.9% higher than the same 
period  of 2021. China believes there is still much room for growth in bilateral trade and will continue 
to work with the Dominican  Republic to promote the bilateral economic and trade cooperation to a 
new level.  
4.117.   For the purpose of this review, China has submitte d written questions to the 
Dominican  Republic, covering the Dominican  Republic's foreign investment regime, customs regime 
and tourism industry. We look forward to the response from the Dominican  Republic.  
4.118.   Finally, I wish the delegation of the Dominican Re public every success in this TPR.  
ICELAND   
4.119.   It is with pleasure that Iceland welcomes the distinguished delegation of the 
Dominican  Republic to their fifth  Trade Policy Review led by H.E.  Ambassador José  Sánchez -Fung. 
We would also like to express appreciat ion to the WTO Secretariat, as well as the Dominican  Republic 
for the Reports prepared, as well as to the discussant  H.E. Ambassador María  Pagán for the excellent 
framing of the issues for our discussion today.  
4.120.   Iceland welcomes Dominican  Republic 's active  participation and strong commitment to the 
smooth functioning of the multilateral trading system, with an economy mostly dominated by 
services, where tourism and international trade play a big role, the Dominican  Republic was hit hard 
by the COVID -19 pand emic. Iceland welcomes and congratulates the country on the impressive 
economic recovery in 2021 . 
4.121.   At the MC12, in June last yea r, the Ministers acknowledged for the first time the importance 
of addressing women's economic empowerment of the WTO, and by doi ng so recognize the positive 
benefit that it will have on our economies.  This fact is well recognized by the Dominican  Republic 
and Iceland commends the significant work that the country has done when it comes to advancing 
women's economic empowerment and leadership positions domestic ally and the value of the 
authorities attached to women's role when it comes to contributing to the country's integration into 
the international market . This work is particularly important in the current global environment , the 
economy and trade impacts of the pandemic have had a disproportionately adverse impact on 
women . This is a pattern that sadly also applies to other crises arising from ongoing geopolitical 
conflicts . WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  4.122.   As one of the co -chairs of the informal working group o f trade and gender, Iceland welcomes 
the good cooperation of countries here in advancing gender equality, the sharing of best practices 
of respective experiences relating to  policies and rule -making on advancing women's economic 
empowerment is an important  element of the work of the informal working group, in the spirit of 
supporting relevant data -gathering in this field, Iceland has submitted in advance  written questions 
on the participation of women in the economy of the Dominican  Republic . We welcome the replies 
as the answers will be useful in gathering  the best practices in the promotion of gender equality 
within trade.  
4.123.   Finally, I celand  once again appreciate s the Dominican  Republic's firm support to the 
multilateral trading system and its a ctive engagement in the WTO.  We wish the delegation of the 
Dominican  Republic every success for their Trade Policy Review.  
ECUADOR  
4.124.   Quiero empezar dando la b ienvenida a la delegación de la República  Dominicana presente 
en esta reunión, en particular a quien  la lidera, el Embajador José  Sánchez -Fung, Representante 
Permanente de la República  Dominicana ante la OMC. Le agradezco también a la Embajadora 
María  Pagán de Estados  Unidos por la presentación de su análisis como ponente.  
4.125.   Ecuador ha tomado nota de la de tallada información proporcionada por el Gobierno de la 
República  Dominicana sobre la adecuada aplicación de políticas fiscales, que le ha permitido tener 
un apreciable crecimiento en la economía, particular que ha sido también destacado por otras 
delegaci ones que me han antecedido en la palabra. Estas mismas medidas han permitido fortalecer 
el comercio, fomentar la competitividad y crear condiciones favorables para el crecimiento y 
desarrollo sostenible. Auguramos una continua implementación de dichas polí ticas a favor de los 
intereses del pueblo y Gobierno dominicano.  
4.126.   Ecuador considera a la República  Dominicana como un apreciable y estratégico socio 
comercial; tanto por sus relaciones a nivel bilateral como por su activa participación en el sistema 
multila teral de comercio, por esos motivos las decisiones que aplique en relación con su política 
comercial tendrán una particular atención por parte de nuestras autoridades.  
4.127.   Ecuador reconoce el compromiso de la República  Dominicana con el libre comercio, la 
movilidad de capitales y la integración productiva, características de una economía de mercado 
vigorosa cuyos beneficios redundan en beneficio de su sociedad; medidas como la eliminación de 
las distorsiones en el comercio de productos agropecuarios, la creació n de una economía agrícola 
inclusiva y resiliente, la modernización y simplificación de procedimientos aduaneros; así como la 
implementación de prácticas comerciales más respetuosas con el medio ambiente y los recursos 
naturales constituyen destacados aspe ctos de su perfil comercial.  
4.128.   No obstante, el comercio dinámico con sus contrapartes enmarcados en los compromisos 
normativos internaciones, notamos que la República  Dominicana mantiene algunas prácticas 
comerciales, tales como el establecimiento de conting entes arancelarios, el régimen de licencias de 
importación, varios incentivos a su industria, así como regulaciones no arancelarias (reglamentos 
técnicos y medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias) que en ciertos casos afectan a las importaciones e 
impiden el a cceso efectivo al mercado dominicano. Sin embargo, confiamos en que con un adecuado 
manejo de dichas prácticas comerciales, acompañado de iniciativas y programas orientados a la 
diversificación de su economía y al fomento de la inversión extranjera, la Rep ública  Dominicana 
generará un impacto positivo en el relacionamiento con sus socios comerciales.  
4.129.   Ecuador y la República  Dominicana mantienen un intercambio comercial mutuamente 
beneficioso para ambas partes; en el 2021 existió un incremento del 21% en la b alanza comercial 
no petrolera, en comparación con el año 2021, cifra que, aunque todavía puede incrementarse en 
términos absolutos, demuestra la capacidad e interés en la recuperación de los lazos bilaterales; 
factor clave para la reactivación económica tr as la crisis provocada por la COVID -19. Asimismo, en 
el 2021 la inversión extranjera directa desde la República  Dominicana al Ecuador se enfocó en varios 
sectores tales como: la industria manufacturera, los servicios prestados a las empresas, la 
exportació n de minas y canteras, construcción, etc., lo que ha aportado a la creación de empleos en 
la economía ecuatoriana.  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  4.130.   Ecuador quiere resaltar su compromiso con las Alianza para el Desarrollo en Democracia 
(ADD) creada por la República  Dominicana conjuntamente  con Costa  Rica y Panamá en el marco de 
la Asamblea General de la Naciones  Unidas de 2021, alianza a la que nuestro país se ha adherido 
recientemente. Ecuador coincide plenamente con el ob jetivo de contar con un espacio apropiado de 
dialogo político, coope ración y promoción del comercio para el desarrollo  sostenible sobre la base 
del compromiso con la institucionalidad democrática, el respeto a los derechos humanos y al estado 
de derecho que generen mecanismos que promuevan en bienestar de nuestras naciones . 
4.131.   Así mismo, mi delegación quiere destacar en este oportunidad su interés en afianzar el 
relacionamiento comercial con la República  Dominicana en el marco de Memorándum de 
Entendimiento suscrito por nuestras autoridades en noviembre  de 2020, que estableció  un grupo de 
trabajo conjunto para impulsar y promover los intercambios comerciales, las inversiones y el 
encadenamiento productivo de ambos países con miras a una futura negociación de un acuerdo 
comercial de alcance parcial, que promueva el beneficio mut uo. 
4.132.   De igual manera, Ecuador quisiera formular una cordial invitación a la República  Dominicana 
para que sume al dialogo informal sobre contaminación producida por plásticos y el comercio de 
plásticos ambientalmente sostenible que coauspicia Ecuador y otro s 74 Miembros de esta 
Organización.  
4.133.   En el presente examen de políticas comerciales Ecuador ha presentado preguntas por escrito 
que versan principalmente sobre los análisis de riesgo de los requisitos sanitarios y fitosanitarios, 
incentivos a la industria, normativas técnicas, mecanismos de licencias de exportación. Aguardamos 
con interés y agradecemos, desde ya, a la República  Dominicana por sus gentiles respuestas.  
4.134.   Quiero finalizar esta intervención augurándole a la República  Dominicana una exitosa y 
fructífera conclusión de este examen de sus políticas comerciales.  
URUGUAY  
4.135.   Uruguay desea brindar la más cordial bienvenida a la delegación de la República  Dominicana, 
encabezada por el Emb ajador  José Sánchez -Fung, en oportunidad del quinto examen de sus políticas 
comerciales, a quien agradecemos por su presentación. Asimismo, agradecemos a la Secretaría por 
su completo informe y a la Emb ajadora  María  Pagán, por su demostrativa interpretación del análisis 
realizado.  
4.136.   A nivel bilateral, nuestros países manti enen un estable intercambio comercial, aunque 
muestra mucho potencial para su crecimiento, sobre todo en sectores farmacéuticos, el de los 
alimentos y recientemente en el sector de servicios. Entendemos que el marco ideal para llevar a 
cabo estas conversac iones es el grupo de trabajo que ha generado el Memorándum de Entendimiento 
sobre Comercio e Inversiones, cuya próxima reunión se celebrará en el primer semestre del año.  
4.137.   Con el fin de facilitar el intercambio comercial, Uruguay ha iniciado gestiones tend ientes a 
obtener la habilitación sanitaria para varios productos de origen animal, tales como la carne y los 
lácteos.  
4.138.   Del punto de vista regional, Uruguay apoya fuertemente el acercamiento del MERCOSUR a 
su país, a través del M emorándum de Entendimiento suscrito en 2022 y la creación de tres subgrupos 
de trabajo en una reunión técnica en Santo  Domingo, sobre medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias, 
promoción de inversiones y el análisis de perspectivas para negociar un acuerdo 
MERCOSUR -República  Domin icana. Est a última línea de trabajo resulta de importancia para salvar 
el nivel, aún alto, de los aranceles aplicados NMF, en el sector agrícola.  
4.139.   A nivel multilateral, ambos coincidimos en que la OMC juega una función central en el 
sistema multilateral de comercio basado en normas. Esto nos brinda un escenario de certidumbre 
necesario para asegurar que los Acuerdos de esta casa sigan siendo relevantes y a la altura de las 
circunstancias que nos imponen los desafíos globales. Ambos representamos economías medianas 
de América  Latina y eso nos convierte en socios inseparables.  
4.140.   Trabajamos juntos en la implementación de los compromisos asumidos en la Duodécima  
Conferencia Ministerial, el "Paquete de Ginebra ", en la implementación del acuerdo para impedir los WT/TPR/W/222  
 
- 27 - 
 
  subsidios a la pesca ilegal, no declarada y no reglamentada, así como en agricultura, en todos los 
temas relativos a lucha contra la pandemia de  la COVID -19 y en la reforma de la OMC.  
4.141.   En otro orden, felicitamos a la República  Dominicana por sus iniciativas tendientes a mejorar 
las condiciones de las exportaciones para las pequeñas y medianas empresas, en especial aquellas 
lideradas por mujeres. En este país, el 51% de estas empresas están lideradas por mujeres, una 
característica socioeconómica de la economía que estoy  seguro se puede beneficiar también de la 
labor en el Grupo Informal sobre Comercio y Género.  
4.142.   La OMC es una Organización multilateral y las mipymes son un asunto global. Necesitamos 
la voz y los aportes de los Miembros dentro del Grupo Informal sobre este tema, para mejorar el 
desarrollo de masa crítica y de buenas prácticas. En este sentido, la República  Dominicana es un 
entusiasta miembro del Grupo, mostrando su compromiso con la implementación del conjunto de 
recomendaciones de 2020 destinadas a incremen tar la participación de las pequeñas empresas en 
el comercio internacional gracias a la labor del Consejo Nacional PROMIPYMES. Asimismo, 
agradecemos los esfuerzos destinados a incrementar la visibilidad de la plataforma TRADE4MSMES 
desarrollando talleres y  actividades de promoción. Contamos con su apoyo para continuar logrando 
resultados de cara a la próxima Conferencia Ministerial.  
4.143.   Finalmente, me gustaría reconocer y agradecer el intenso trabajo que lleva adelante el 
Embajador  José Sánchez -Fung y a todo su  equipo, a la hora de coordinar posiciones y siempre 
mantener un enfoque constructivo en los diferentes órganos de esta casa.  
4.144.   Nuestros mejores deseos para un exitoso examen de política comercial.  
MAURITIUS  
4.145.   Mauritius would like to welcome the distinguished delegation of the Dominican  Republic for 
its fifth  Trade Policy Review, led by H.E.  José Sánchez -Fung, Ambassador and Permanent 
Representative.  We thank the Secretariat and the Dominican  Republic for completing the Trade 
Policy Review Reports.  We also thank H .E.  Ms María Pagán, of the United  States, as discussant for 
her insightful remarks as discussant for today 's exercise.  
4.146.   At the outset, Mauritius would like to commend the Dominican  Republic for the bold 
measures undertaken to set the economy back towards a sustainable growth path. With its proactive 
public policy responses such as the effective coordination of monetary and fiscal policies and the 
health policy package to counter economi c challenges, these reforms have enabled the country to 
return to pre -pandemic production levels in late 2021.  
4.147.   With the establishment of the National Development Strategy 2030, for spearheading growth 
in all spheres, we are only expecting that strong pers pectives will only unfold, and we note that the 
fundamentals are promising with employment levels equalling pre -pandemic numbers and the 
attractiveness of the Dominican  Republic for FDI flows.  
4.148.   It is noteworthy to highlight that the Dominican  Republic avera ge a 5.6 % growth during the 
first semester of 2022, which reflects the annual average of 5.1 % during the pre -pandemic area, 
namely between 2015 to 2021.  
4.149.   Mauritius and the Dominican  Republic have many similarities, mainly as SIDS, in terms of 
distance to m ain markets, high dependence on international trade and we are thus vulnerable to 
external shocks such as the COVID -19 pandemic and the ongoing geopolitical instability.  
4.150.   It should also be noted that both Mauritius and Dominican  Republic share a similar 
commitment to the smooth functioning of a rules based multilateral trading system that contributes 
to inclusive and sustainable development.  
4.151.   From the multilateral trading perspective, we welcome Dominican  Republic 's prompt 
ratification of the WTO Trade Faci litation Agreement within the review period and its implementation 
of the TFA by launching a series of trade facilitative measures such as the new General Customs Law 
No. 168-218, the initiative for the clearance of goods within 24  hours, the Exporta+ prog ramme for WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  the facilitation of exports and the fine -tuning of the single window for foreign trade (VUCE) initiative 
and the simplified authorised economic operator (AEO) status for MSMEs.  
4.152.   As small vulnerable states, the Dominican  Republic and Mauritius are  exposed to climate 
change challenges. Both countries will continue to cooperate to explore on ways of accessing funds 
for climate change adaptation. On the trade side, we also look forward for both countries can do 
more for export promotion and investment  and in this regards we can work towards establishing 
possible future trade and business linkages.  
4.153.   We wish the Dominican  Republic a successful Trade Policy Review.  
PANAMÁ  
4.154.   Deseo felicitar atentamente al Jefe de Delegación, el Embajador José  R. Sánchez -Fung, y a 
toda la delegación dominicana por su destacada preparación en su quinto  examen de políticas 
comerciales.  Agradezco a la Embajadora María  Pagan, ponente en este examen, por sus excelentes 
comentarios introductorios. También agradezco la la bor de la Secretaría y del Gobierno de la 
Republica Dominicana por la preparación de sus respectivos reportes.  
4.155.   Durante los últimos 25  años las exportaciones en mercancías de Panamá a la 
República  Dominicana se han incrementado a una tasa anualizada de 15 ,4%, pasando de 
USD 1,99 millones  en 1995, a USD  71,4 millones en 2020. La República  Dominicana exportó en ese 
mismo año USD  31,5 millones a Panamá. Los principales productos que Panamá exportó fueron 
medicamentos envasados, otros artículos de tela, y produc tos farmacéuticos especiales . Panamá 
ocupó generalmente el puesto número  15 entre países compradores de productos dominicanos, 
principalmente en medicamentos envasados, tapas de plástico, y gas de petróleo.  
4.156.   Más allá de estas cifras, a Panamá y la República  Dominicana nos unen lazos históricos y 
económicos muy importantes. Formamos parte ambos del Sistema de Integración Centroamericano 
(SICA), foro de promoción subregional al cual imprimimos gran importancia. Recientemente 
celebramos reuniones de alto nivel,  entre ellas la LVI  Cumbre de Jefes de Estado y de Gobierno del 
SICA en noviembre  de 2022, y la Reunión Ordinaria del Consejo de Ministros de Relaciones 
Exteriores, celebrada en la República  Dominicana en diciembre  de 2022.  
4.157.   La República  Dominicana también hospedó en julio  2022 el Foro de Ministros encargados de 
temas de Propiedad Intelectual de Centroamérica y República  Dominicana, donde abordaron temas 
relativos a la relación de la propiedad intelectual con el comercio, y el desarrollo económico y social.  
4.158.   Nuestras autoridades están en constante diálogo sobre temas de importancia para ambos. 
Nuestros negociadores comerciales se reunieron recientemente para ampliar la lista de productos 
que se benefician de acceso a cero aranceles bajo nuestro Acuerdo de Alca nce Parcial.  
4.159.   Recientes acontecimientos importantes en la escena mundial han repercutido en el desarrollo 
económico y comercial de la Republica  Dominicana. Cabe destacar los efectos del alza en precios de 
materias primas como consecuencia de la crisis geop olítica internacional, las disrupciones en las 
cadenas de valor, y la pandemia de la COVID -19. 
4.160.   La economía dominicana sufrió pérdidas económicas importantes, especialmente en el 
importante sector turismo. Ha demostrado, sin embargo, ser resiliente ante los choques 
internacionales. El sistema financiero dominicano es estable, con solidez patrimonial, pese a la 
coyuntura económica global. La República  Dominicana ha implementado avances importantes en 
materia de sistemas de pagos y cibersegu ridad, lo cual ha contribuido con la expansión del mercado 
financiero nacional y el desarrollo de un ecosistema de empresas Fintech.  
4.161.   Muestra adicional de su resiliencia ha sido el aumento de su PIB per  cápita, que pasó de 
USD 7.138,4 en 2015 a USD  8.971,9 al finalizar el año 2021. Cifras preliminares indican que entre 
enero y junio  de 2022 la inversión extranjera directa registró un aumento de 8 % relativo al mismo 
periodo del 2021, en casi USD  2,000 millones.  
4.162.   La estrategia de política comercial de l a República  Dominicana se basa en la creación de una 
nueva oferta basada en las exportaciones de "servicios modernos ", como la economía creativa, la WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  industria audiovisual, y las telecomunicaciones. Apunta a aprovechar tecnologías de vanguardia para 
fortale cer el sector de servicios.  
4.163.   Notamos con preocupación que la República  Dominicana continúa dependiendo fuertemente 
de la importación de productos derivados del petróleo, en particular para la producción de energía 
eléctrica. Su sector eléctrico sigue enfren tando desafíos en la inversión en distribución y transmisión, 
y en establecer tarifas que cubran los costos de producción y reduzcan pérdidas.  
4.164.   Por otro lado, la República  Dominicana continúa la diversificación de su matriz energética, 
principalmente hacia  el gas natural, e implementa su "Pacto Eléctrico 2021 -2030".  
4.165.   Antes de concluir, queremos resaltar el compromiso histórico demostrado de la 
República  Dominicana con la OMC. En el 2022 subrayo este compromiso al abrir una Misión dedicada 
a la OMC, que ha c ontinuado su demostrada presencia en la Organización. Forma parte del Grupo 
del G33 y del Grupo de Economías Pequeñas y Vulnerables, y participamos activamente en las 
negociaciones multilaterales, y de diversas iniciativas conjuntas.  
4.166.   Felicitamos a la Repú blica Dominicana por su activa participación en el sistema multilateral 
de comercio. Les deseamos éxito en su quinto  examen de políticas comerciales.  
JAMAICA  
4.167.   Jamaica congratulates the Dominican  Republic on its fifth Trade Policy Review. We extend a 
warm we lcome to its distinguished delegation led by H .E. José Sánchez -Fung, Ambassador and 
Permanent Representative of the Dominican  Republic to the WTO and the Conference of the 
United  Nations on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). We thank the Dominican  Republic fo r its 
detailed Report and extend best wishes to the delegation for a successful Review.  
4.168.   We express our appreciation to our discussant, Ambassador Mar ía Pagán of the 
United  States for her balanced overview of the Dominican  Republic 's trade policies, as well as to the 
Chair, and the Secretariat for their respective contributions to this review process.  
4.169.   Jamaica and the Dominican  Republic continue to enjoy friendly relations, which began 
on 4 December  1964. Over the years, through high  level visits and other engagements, including at 
the highest level, our Governments have sought to deepen our bilateral relations, expand the scope 
of the partnership and advance bilateral cooperation initiatives. Among the areas of mutual interest 
identi fied were trade and investment, tourism, transportation (particularly air links), education, and 
security cooperation. Efforts have been ongoing at the technical level, to advance cooperation in 
these various areas.  
4.170.   Our bilateral relations have been furthe r nurtured by our close geographic proximity, 
people -to-people contact and joint membership in regional, hemispheric, and multilateral bodies, 
including the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), the Organi zation of American States (OAS), 
and the Organisat ion of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). We applaud the 
Dominican  Republic 's active engagement within these fora.  
4.171.   Under the CARICOM -DR FTA, Jamaica enjoys a mutually beneficial trade relationship with 
the Dominican  Republic. Jamaica regards th e Dominican  Republic as an important export market for 
products such as beverages, plastics, paper and paper products, articles of wood, electrical 
machinery and equipment, chemicals, apparel , and sugar. Jamaica 's key imports from the 
Dominican  Republic in clude articles of plastics, packaging material, cement, sauces, fruits, potatoes, 
pastries , and molasses. Over the period 2002 to 2021, our bilateral trade has grown by  21%. 
Jamaica and the Dominican  Republic are members of CARIFORUM and in this context, w e have 
successfully partnered to crystalli ze our relationship with the European  Union across various areas 
of governance, including the operation of the CARIFORUM -EU Economic partnership Agreement 
which regulates bilateral trade between both regions.  
4.172.   Jamaica commends the Dominican  Republic on the progress achieved since its last Trade 
Policy Review. The Dominican  Republic has remained one of the fastest growing economies in 
Latin America and the Caribbean, despite its vulnerability to natural disasters and  external shocks. 
We note from the Government 's Report that during the period under review, 2015 -2021, the WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  economy grew at an average annual rate of 5.1%. Additionally, the country improved its ranking on 
the World Economic Forum 's Global Competitiveness I ndex, moving from 82nd to 78th out of 141 
countries. Moreover, its strong investment climate has allowed it to remain the top destination for 
FDI in the Caribbean, and second in Central  America.  
4.173.   The onset of the COVID -19 pandemic resulted in the reversal of progress achieved in the 
country 's poverty reduction efforts, and the worsening of the current account deficit and other 
indicators in 2020. However, the Government 's diligent implementation of its public debt strategy, 
and other financial reforms great ly enhanced the country 's resilience; thereby, allowing it to weather 
the negative effects of the measures adopted to respond to the pandemic.  
4.174.   Jamaica appreciates the Government 's adoption of several socioeconomic policies to alleviate 
the negative impact of the pandemic on its citizens and private sector. These included the National 
Vaccination Plan, the Responsible Tourism Recovery Plan, as well as support to the agricultural 
sector; all of which contributed to the easing of inflation and stimulated econo mic activity 
domestically.  
4.175.   We, therefore, view positively the Government 's indications that the country has seen 
improvements in key indicators such as year -on-year GDP, which was 4.7% higher over 
pre-pandemic levels in 2021. GDP per  capita increased from US D 7,138.4 in 2015 to US D 8,971.9 
at the close of 2021. Jamaica is encouraged by the positive outlook for the Dominican  Republic 
growth prospects. We urge continued support of the Dominican  Republic 's efforts to implement its 
National Multi -Year Public Sector Plan 2021 -24, as well as its open dialogue with key stakeholders 
in the implementation of other domestic reforms. Such actions augur well for the Government 's 
stated development objective to improve the standard of living of its citizen s.  
4.176.   The Government of the Dominican  Republic has taken positive steps to promote 
macroeconomic stability, business/investor confidence and improve the competitiveness of its 
foreign trade. During the review period, it adopted cyber and information security  regulations as 
well as strengthened its responsible agency 's capacity to undertake preventative measures to 
respond to cybersecurity threats. This domain is fast becoming an important one for the global 
community; as such, we commend the Government 's proa ctive approach to ensuring that its 
financial and other related sectors are adequately equipped to alleviate potential risks. This is an 
area in which Jamaica remains seized, and best practices could be exchanged, even within other 
fora. 
4.177.   Jamaica appreciate s the efforts of the Dominican  Republic to consolidate its trade facilitation 
commitments, through the promotion of several regulatory initiatives such as the General Customs 
Law No.  168-21 and the introduction of the single window for foreign trade. It al so introduced 
Exporta+, as a mechanism geared at transforming the Dominican  Republic into a logistics hub for 
the entire region.  
4.178.   The Dominican  Republic also has sought to strengthen its intellectual property rights regime 
through the creation of the Intel lectual Property Unit in the Office of the Attorney General. This 
addition has already led to an uptick in number of criminal intellectual property cases. This is another 
area in which best practices could be exchanged, even within the WIPO, and with devel opment 
partners.  
4.179.   We welcome the Government 's commitment to contributing positively to strengthening the 
multilateral trade system, with the WTO at its centre. In this respect, Jamaica applauds the active 
and constructive engagement of the delegation of th e Dominican  Republic led by Ambassador 
Sánchez -Fung. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with the Dominican  Republic on 
issues of mutual interest such as WTO reform, and the implementation of the outcomes of MC12.  
4.180.   We note that Members have rais ed questions regarding changes in the Government 's 
procurement procedures, measures directly affecting imports such as its import licensing regime, 
and implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to name a few. Jamaica looks forward 
to the excha nge with the Dominican  Republic in this regard.  
4.181.   To close, Jamaica reiterates its best wishes to the team for a successful fifth Trade Policy 
Review.  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  COSTA  RICA  
4.182.   En nombre del Gobierno de Costa  Rica quisiera dar la más cordial bienvenida a la delegación 
de la República  Dominicana, encabezada por el Embajador Sánchez -Fung así como al equipo de la 
Misión Permanente ante la OMC, y a las autoridades en Santo  Domingo. Agradecemos su valioso 
informe y la presentación realizada esta mañana. Hago extensivo el agrade cimiento también a la 
ponente, la Embajadora María  Pagán, por sus valiosos comentarios, y a la Secretaría de la OMC por 
su informe y por su siempre valioso trabajo.  
4.183.   La República  Dominicana es un socio comercial clave para Costa  Rica. Se trata de una 
relaci ón que se ha fortalecido gracias al Tratado de Libre Comercio entre la República  Dominicana y 
Centroamérica, así como los beneficios y compromisos del RD -CAFTA. No es de extrañar que , a lo 
largo de la última década, el comercio bilateral ha crecido a una t asa promedio de 2 ,8%, lo que ha 
posicionado al mercado dominicano como el principal destino de las exportaciones costarricenses en 
las islas del Caribe.  
4.184.   Los lazos que unen a Costa  Rica y República  Dominicana se han estrechado aún más por la 
creación de la Alianza para el Desarrollo en Democracia. Una alianza entre Costa  Rica, Ecuador, 
República  Dominicana y Panamá que ofrece un modelo de innovación cooperativa entre países 
democráticos afines, para mejorar la vida de sus ciudadanos y de los c iudadanos de toda la región 
mediante el fortalecimiento de las instituciones democráticas, del estado de derecho y la promoción 
de la prosperidad económica.  
4.185.   La cooperación internacional es uno de los pilares de la alianza y a través de ella los 
miembros h an avanzado en una robusta agenda económica y comercial. Es bajo este espíritu de 
apoyo a la cooperación internacional y al multilateralismo, que Costa  Rica confía en que, en el caso 
iniciado bajo el Mecanismo de Solución de Diferencias de la OMC sobre med idas antidumping 
implementadas por la República  Dominicana sobre barras de acero corrugadas, se acatarán las 
resoluciones del Panel llegado el momento y no habrá una apelación en el vacío.  
4.186.   En el marco multilateral, Costa  Rica y la República  Dominicana trabajan cada vez de manera 
más estrecha, habiendo copatrocinado la exitosa Declaración sobre cuestiones sanitarias y 
fitosanitarias para la MC12, así como la Declaración sobre la reforma de las reglas multilaterales del 
comercio agropecuario ta mbién lanzada en el contexto de la última Conferencia Ministerial. 
Esperamos seguir avanzando juntos en estos temas de común interés. Aprovechamos la ocasión 
además para invitar a la República  Dominicana a unirse a otros trabajos en la OMC, como la iniciat iva 
conjunta sobre regulación de servicios domésticos, y las discusiones estructuradas sobre 
sostenibilidad ambiental y comercio (TESSD).  
4.187.   Quisiéramos reconocer el esfuerzo de la República  Dominicana durante el per iodo de 
evaluación de este examen para man tener ritmos de crecimiento cercanos a su potencial, 
recuperarse exitosamente de los efectos de la pandemia y mantenerse en el camino de la 
consolidación fiscal. Cabe resaltar igualmente el éxito del país como receptor de turismo 
internacional y de inversi ón extranjera directa en el Caribe.  
4.188.   El informe de la Secretaría también recalca la relevancia de las remesas internacionales, que 
alcanzaron un 11% del PIB en el 2021, así como de las zonas francas, que aportan un 60% del total 
exportado por el sector man ufacturero. Ambos se constituyen en importantes generadores de divisas 
y empleos en el país, aunque no están exentos de vulnerabilidades.  
4.189.   En esa línea, también nos llama positivamente la atención la Estrategia Nacional de 
Exportación de Servicios Modernos , que busca la diversificación hacia servicios modernos como la 
economía creativa y la informática; y las medidas de facilitación del comercio, incluyendo el 
perfeccionamiento de la ventanilla única de comercio exterior. Felicitamos a la República  Dominica na 
por los avances hechos en ambas áreas.  
4.190.   Aunque Costa  Rica no presentó preguntas en este examen, seguiremos con interés la 
implementación de las políticas de la República  Dominicana en materia de defensa comercial, 
facilitación del comercio, promoción del  turismo y energías renovables.  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  4.191.   Por último, quisiera desearle grandes éxitos a la República  Dominicana en este examen de 
políticas comerciales.  
FIJI 
4.192.   Fiji welcomes the delegation of the Dominican  Republic to its fifth Trade Policy Review, ably 
led by H .E. Ambassador José  Sánchez -Fung, and wishes to thank the delegation for their Report. 
We also commend the Secretariat for its comprehensive Report and are grateful for the insightful 
remarks of th e discussant H .E. Ambassador Mar ía Pagán of the United  States.  
4.193.   As a middle -income country like the Dominican  Republic, Fiji shares much in common with 
them and are taking note also of some of the positive actions they have taken, which are instructive 
in our national context.  
4.194.   We commend the Do minican  Republic 's progressive economic growth, particularly in the 
strong economic resurgence from the COVID -19 pandemic, driven largely by their innovative policies 
that steered them through the economic shock of the health crisis.  
4.195.   We are encouraged by the Dominican  Republic 's trade policy objective geared towards 
export promotion through targeted export strategies from traditional export products to innovative, 
high quality and value -added products. We particularly take note of their streamlined and fle xible 
mechanisms such as accessing credit facilities and simplified customs procedures that create a viable 
environment for business communities such as MSMEs to contribute to the value chain. The 
integration of women 's economic empowerment and leadership in trade is also noted and applauded.  
4.196.   The strategic geographical advantage enjoyed by the Dominican  Republic as a contributor 
to their economic progress is something Fiji understands and shares in common albeit in a different 
region. Coupled with sound ec onomic policies and political leadership as presented by the 
Dominican  Republic delegation, they have recovered efficiently from the global public health crisis 
of the COVID -19 pandemic.  
4.197.   Fiji commends the Dominican  Republic for their respect for the envir onment and natural 
resources in their development. We note that their economy has done well in its telecommunication 
sector with practically the entire population accessing the 4G technology with two thirds mobile 
broadband. This obviously provides opportu nity to enhance e -commerce trade thus benefiting rural 
communities.  
4.198.   In view of the Dominican  Republic 's reliance on the service sector such as tourism which 
accounted for 56.1% of its GDP in 2021, and having weathered the storm of global shutdown to the 
travel and tourism sectors at the height of the COVID -19 pandemic, Fiji would be interested to learn 
further from some of the Dominican  Republic 's economic policies going forward that would help 
cushion future public health crises where the fragile services sector such as tourism would be 
affected.  
4.199.   In closing, Fiji wishes the delegation of the Dominican  Republic every success in its fifth 
Review.  
INDIA  
4.200.   At the outset, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the delegation of the 
Dominican  Republic led by  H.E. José Sánchez -Fung, Ambassador  and Permanent Representative of 
the Dominican  Republic to the WTO. India is pleased to be a part of the fifth Trade Policy Review of 
the Dominican  Republic today. My delegation would further, like to commend the Governme nt of the 
Dominican  Republic and the WTO Secretariat for their comprehensive Reports for the Review and 
would also thank the discussant Ambassador H.E.  María Pagán for her insightful remarks.  
4.201.   India and the Dominican  Republic enjoy warm and cordial relationship which was further 
strengthened by the opening of the Indian Mission in Sant o Domingo last year. Technical assistance 
and capacity building remain a strong pillar of bilateral cooperation and India is partnering in the 
human resource developmen t efforts in the Dominican  Republic through its ITEC and ICCR 
scholarships and other training programmes including that of diplomatic personnel and consular WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  officials. From time to time, India has been assisting the Dominican  Republic through supply of mad e 
in India medical supplies, including during the COVID -19 pandemic. Under the Vaccine Maitri 
Initiative, India supplied 140,000  doses of vaccines for the vaccination drive against the COVID -19 
pandemic.  
4.202.   Bilateral trade between India and the Dominican  Republic has increased significantly in the 
last few years. Two -way trade increased to US D 959 million during the year 2021 -22; 106% more 
than the trade of the previous year. Main items of India 's exports include engineering goods ; drugs 
and pharmaceuticals ; automobiles ; marine products ; cotton yarn and fabrics ; plastic and linoleum ; 
tobacco ; and chemicals. Gold accounts for 90% of the Dominican  Republic 's exports to India.  
4.203.   As noted in the Secretariat Report, we are pleased that the Dominican economy has 
recove red quickly from the negative impact of the COVID -19 pandemic with growth of 12.3% in  2021 
and an upward trend in the first quarter of 2022. This is consistent with the strong growth witnessed 
prior to the pandemic, i.e., between 2014 and 2019, when the av erage annual GDP growth rate 
reached 6.2%, exceeding the historical average. We appreciate the changes in policies concerning 
customs regime made during the review period aimed at modernizing and simplifying customs 
regimes and procedures, we also take not e of changes made to the government procurement as 
well as competition law regimes.  
4.204.   We are committed to unleashing the full potential of our bilateral trade, investment, and 
development partnership for the benefit of our two peoples. We are also pleased w ith the close 
collaboration with the Dominican  Republic in the multilateral fora and appreciate its support to India 
in its work across that domain, including its active participation in International Solar Alliance, as 
one of its first members. We look fo rward to working closely with the Dominican  Republic on mutually 
beneficial issues across the WTO agenda. We wish the delegation of the Dominican  Republic a 
productive and successful Trade Policy Review.  
PARAGUAY  
4.205.   La República de Paraguay quisiera extender un cordial saludo a la delegación de la 
República  Dominicana en la persona del Jefe de Delegación , Embajador Jos é Sánchez -Fung. De igual 
manera quisiéramos agradecerle a usted, Señora Presidenta, por la conducción de este examen, así 
como a la p onente y a la Secretaría por la elaboración del exhaustivo informe.  
4.206.   En el periodo abarcado por este examen la República  Dominicana ha mantenido un 
crecimiento importante y aunque la pandemia del COVID -19 afectó su economía como a todas, 
vemos con satisfacc ión que la República  Dominicana logró recuperarse rápidamente como atestigua 
el fuerte repunte del crecimiento en 2021 y la tendencia que continúa.  
4.207.   La República  Dominicana y el Paraguay no solo comparten región sino además el interés por 
asegurar y fortale cer las reglas multilaterales del mismo dada la importancia que tiene el comercio 
para nuestras economías.  
4.208.   Nuestros países comercian una serie de bienes, pero existe aún un gran potencial para 
ampliar este comercio por lo que reiteramos nuestro interés po r avanzar en las conversaciones para 
un eventual acuerdo comercial que permita ampliar nuestro comercio bilateral y con el MERCOSUR.  
4.209.   En nombre de mi país reitero mis felicitaciones a quienes tienen a cargo la conducción de 
este examen y a los delegados de la Misión Permanente de la República  Dominicana.  
HONDURAS  
4.210.   Nuestro país, le da la más cordial bienvenida a tod o el equipo de la Republica  Dominicana, 
encabezados por su distinguido Jefe de Delegación, Embajador Jos é Sánchez -Fung, Representante 
Permanente de la República  Dominicana ante la Organización Mundial del Comercio y la Conferencia 
de las Naciones  Unidas sobre Comercio y Desarrollo, y les agradecemos su declaración y su informe.  
4.211.   Extendemos nuestro agradecimiento a usted Presidenta, por su  conducción y orientación, a 
la ponente Embajadora  Pagán, por sus valiosos aportes y a la Secretaría de la OMC por el excelente 
trabajo realizado.  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  4.212.   En cuanto a los informes examinados, nos complace observar que durante el periodo objeto 
de examen, la Repúbl ica Dominicana registró una tasa de crecimiento media anual del PIB de 5,1%, 
en torno a su nivel potencial y durante los primeros seis meses del 2022, ha registrado un 
crecimiento interanual promedio de 5,6%, impulsada principalmente por la recuperación de l turismo 
y el dinamismo de actividades como la construcción, comercio, transporte, las actividades 
agropecuarias, de salud y la manufactura de zonas francas.  
4.213.   La República  Dominicana ha sido una de las economías de más rápido crecimiento en 
América  Latina y este crecimiento se ha reflejado en una estabilización en la tasa de desocupación 
abierta, mejora en la calidad de vida y en una importante reducción de los indicadores de pobreza.  
4.214.   Por otro lado, notamos que, durante el periodo de análisis, la República  Dominicana realizó 
avances destacados en materia de sistemas de pagos y ciberseguridad, lo cual ha contribuido con la 
expansión del mercado financiero nacional y el desarrollo de un ecosistema de empresas FinTech.  
4.215.   No podemos dejar de mencionar, la partici pación del Banco  Central de la 
República Dominicana, como gestor de un sistema de pago transfronterizo, denominado Sistema de 
Interconexión de Pagos con Centroamérica, al que están interconectados los sistemas de liquidación 
de los bancos centrales de los estados miembros del Consejo Monetario Centroamericano, incluido 
nuestro país.  
4.216.   Lo anterior, ha permitido la liquidación de pagos intrarregionales a bajo costo, en tiempo 
real, seguros, eficaces y ha contribuido a la consolidación de operaciones regionales en una sola 
plataforma de servicios, fortaleciendo el proceso de integración financiera regional de los países 
miembros.  
4.217.   En otro orden de ideas, percibimos los esfuerzos realizados por la Rep ública Dominicana, 
para adoptar cambios en la política de defensa  comercial tales como la introducción de disposiciones 
para realizar procedimientos de examen por extinción, cambio de circunstancias y procedimiento 
para determinar prácticas de elusión, por mencionar algunas.  
4.218.   Nos complace identificar que de los informes se desprende que las fuentes de energía 
renovable han duplicado su participación en la generación eléctrica entre 2015 y 2021.  
4.219.   Observamos que el turismo es el principal rubro de exportación de servicios, con ingresos 
que promediaron el 8,7% del PIB entre 2 015 y 2019 y esos ingresos aumentaron en un 112,6% 
interanual en 2021.  
4.220.   En cuanto al transporte marítimo, destacamos los esfuerzos realizados por llevar adelante 
proyectos de infraestructura que le permitan atraer nuevos flujos de turistas de crucero y segu ir 
posicionándose como una plataforma para el comercio por vía marítima.  
4.221.   Subrayamos que , en su estrategia de comercio exterior, la República  Dominicana fomenta 
la cultura exportadora de las mujeres como una herramienta importante para incrementar las 
expor taciones y para convertir a la mujer en el motor del crecimiento y de la reducción de la pobreza.  
4.222.   En cuanto a las relaciones que unen a nuestros países hermanos, estas se formalizaron en 
el año 1924 y se han ido consolidando con el paso del tiempo lo cual nos ha permitido establecer 
mecanismos de cooperación e integración en diversas áreas.  
4.223.   Nuestra relación comercial, la cual se sigue rigiendo por dos acuerdos comerciales que 
coexisten, nos ha permitido expandir, profundizar y diversificar nuestro comercio  y para el 2021 
exportamos alrededor de USD 45 millones  en preparaciones a base de cereales, harina, fundición, 
tabaco y café e importamos alrededor USD 17 millones en productos farmacéuticos, de la molinería, 
preparaciones alimenticias diversas, plástico y sus manufacturas.  
4.224.   Los ingresos netos de IED procedentes del Caribe alcanzaron un monto de USD 21 millones, 
básicamente por inversiones provenientes de Bermudas, República  Dominicana e Islas  Vírgenes 
Británicas, entre otros.  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  4.225.   Honduras espera continuar trab ajando y colaborando con nuestros hermanos dominicanos 
en el aprovechamiento de nuestros acuerdos comerciales, profundizando y modernizando el proceso 
integración regional y defendiendo un sistema multilateral transparente, justo y abierto.  
4.226.   Finalmente, nue stro país se congratula por esta nueva oportunidad de intercambiar y 
examinar las políticas y prácticas comerciales de la República  Dominicana, y le deseamos el mayor 
de los éxitos en la presentación de su quinto examen de política s comercial es. 
KENYA ON BEHALF OF THE ACP GROUP  
4.227.   I deliver this  statement on behalf of the ACP Group. I wish to extend a warm welcome to 
the delegation of the Dominican  Republic  led by  Ambassador José Sánchez -Fung, Permanent 
Representative of the Dominican  Republic to th e WTO  and UNCTAD  to its fifth Trade Policy Review . 
4.228.   The Dominican  Republic has shown immense commitment and determination to improve its 
economic landscape, the Dominican  Republic recorded average year -on-year growth of 5.6% during 
the first six  months of 2 022, the positive trend in the economic activity during this period was driven 
by the recovery in tourism and the buoyancy of some sectors. With regard to employment, the total 
employment in January to March  2022 was similar to its level  in the same quarte r of 2019 prior to 
the pandemic, with record figures for the free zone sector in June  2022 and 100% recovery of 
employment in the t ourism sector.  
4.229.   The A CP Group notes that between 2015 and 2021 the Dominican  Republic saw GDP growth 
at an average annual rate  of 5.1% . This steady growth  reflects the positive impacts of the efficient 
coordination of monetary and fiscal policies , which has made it possible to strengthen 
macroeconomic fundamentals . Despite the pandemic, the diversification of the production structure 
and implementation of reforms h elped  to sustain the growth that was observed between 2015  and 
2019 and contributed to rapid economic recovery in 2021, following the crisis caused by the spread 
of COVID -19.  
4.230.   The Dominican  Republic's economic external s ector have continued to perform well, with the 
total exports during the first half of 2022, standing at 16.5%, higher than during the same period 
of the previous year, imports of goods and services also saw it  by 40.6% compared to  2020, a trend 
that reflec ts an  improvement in domestic demand for foreign goods and services . There is also 
significant reduction in poverty indicators and concomitant expansion of the middle class, reflecting 
the improved quality of life of the citizenry. Stability aided by the correct monetary policy 
management of the Central  Bank of the Dominican  Republic, has kept expectations of economic 
agents, anchored, and facilitated the private sector's investment and consumption decisions, laying 
the foundation for sustainable growt h. 
4.231.   The A CP Group  also commends the Dominican  Republic for focusing on implementing 
policies and program mes that are aligned with the strategic pillars of the agricultural  sector . The 
Dominican  Republic 's Ministry of Agriculture l aunched a comprehensive pro gramme to mitigate the 
effects of raising prices of commodities and crude oil that have affected the international market 
pushing up , in turn, production and transport costs . The  program me also covers the repair and 
improvement of roads connecting farms in  28 communities, drilling of two wells to supply water to 
the necessary areas and the delivery of input such as seeds and seedlings  to farmers . 
4.232.   Also noteworthy, the General Customs Law No.  168-21 was designed to be a modern and 
efficient legal instrument t hat conforms to international rules and standards in line with the reality 
of national legislation. This law incorporates international commitments such as environmental 
agreements and the trade facilitation agreement, the practice of non -intrusive and non -invasive  
inspections and the use of information technology and e -payment through banks, it lists the customs 
procedures and regimes in a clear and order manner, institutes advance declarations and advanced 
rulings and brings together all the customs regim es, it also allows for the transmission of 
documentation prior to the arrival  of means of transport and establishes facilitation measures such 
as the single window for foreign trade, which allows for all information from import ers and exporters 
by the  participating agencies to be submitted electronically.  
4.233.   The A CP Group wishes to commend the Government of the Dominican  Republic for the 
establishment  of the National Development Strategy 2030 as a main tool for coordinating its goals WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  and lines of action to ach ieve development  in the framework of a participatory democracy that 
guarantees the social and democratic rule of law and promote s equity, equal opportunities , and 
social justice among other important issues . 
4.234.   The ACP  Group notes that the country has a numbe r of political, economic, social, and legal 
advantages that combine with its natural potential have enabled it to establish itself as a top 
destination for FDI in the Caribbean and the second in Central  America. The ACP  Group also wishes 
to commend ProDominicana, which has started to work, to create, to maintain, and to expand digital 
ecosystem with tools focused on trade intelligence, capacity building, and facilitating business links 
over the past three years. Going for ward, the growth prospects for the Dominican  Republic's 
economy remain good.  
4.235.   To conclude, the ACP  Group underlines the Dominican  Republic's commitment to continue 
making a positive contribution to the multilateral trading system by actively participating in the 
Organization's various bodies and the negotiating processes, and other coalitions such as the 
ACP Group.  
BRAZIL  
4.236.   Brazil would like to welcome the delegation from the Dominican  Republic, headed by 
H.E. Ambassador José  Sanchéz -Fung. Brazi l congratulates the Government of the 
Dominican  Republic for engaging its fifth  Trade Policy Review. We thank the Government for 
providing Members with an overview of the country's economic performance, trade policies, and 
adherence  to the multilateral tra ding system. We also would like to express our appreciation to the 
WTO Secretariat for its comprehensive Report, as well as for you, Chair, and the discussant, 
Ambassador María  Pagán , for your contribution to a successful trade monitor ing exercise . 
4.237.   Brazil attaches great importance to Trade Policy Reviews in the understanding that they 
contribute to enhance transparency and predictability for trade stakeholders.  In the current context 
of a multiple crisis, the COVID -19 pandemic , climate change , international  conflicts, information is 
one of the most important tools that WTO Members have at their disposal to cooperate and 
coordinate  in order to find a resilient path to growth and sustainable development . 
4.238.   Brazil and the Dominican  Republic coincide in values and  in interests such as strengthening 
of regional integration, economic development, and fight against social inequality. In this regard, 
we commend the Dominican  Republic for adopting a set of fiscal and monetary policies that ha ve 
allowed the country's eco nomy to rebound from the COVID -19 impact and resume its growth 
trajectory in 2021 and 2022 converging towards its potential GDP performance.  
4.239.   We would also like to take note of the current profile of the Dominican  Republic merchandise 
exports in which manuf acture goods  account for the majority of the countr y's exports. At the same 
time, Brazil also sees the Dominican  Republic strategy for the future as an example to be followed, 
focusing on exports of innovative and high -quality goods and services. The addit ion of "value on 
exports" is a common challenge for all Latin  American countries.  
4.240.   Moving on to WTO issues, Brazil notes with satisfaction the enactment of new Customs Law 
aimed at modernize and simplify customs regimes and procedures and the adoption of t he handbook 
of good technical regulation practice to ensure the transparency of its domestic procedures, those 
initiatives are testimony to the country's adherence to the multilateral trading system, Since the 
former meant to implement the Trade Facilitati on Agreement and the latter is based on the WTO  TBT 
code of good practice.  
4.241.   Brazil attaches great importance to agriculture in the multilateral trading system and 
appreciate s the Dominican  Republic's support to the elimination of distortions in trade in agricultural 
products and the creation of an inclusive and resilient agriculture economy. Brazil regrets, however, 
that out of the Dominican  Republic tariff peaks, including  tariffs ranging f or 40% to 99%, are for 
agriculture products . We call the Dominican  Republic to deepen internal reforms in favour of 
agricultural liberalization.  
4.242.   Regarding our bilateral  relations, it is worth noting that trade flows between Brazil and the 
Dominican  Republi c have almost returned to pre -pandemic levels and that Brazil's investments in WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  the country contribute to the creation of thousands of jobs, with the potential to improve such 
figures, especially due to the signing during the review period of a Memorandum o f Understanding 
of Cooperation and Trade Investments. Another bilateral arrangement that was signed since the 
Dominican Republic's last TPR, is the Agreement on Tourism and Business Visa Exemption, 
considering that tourism still makes a vital contribution to the Dominican economy, such an 
agreement  represents more than a simple reduction of paperwork and red tape.  
4.243.   Brazil wishes the delegation of the Dominican  Republic a successful conclusion of its 
fifth Trade Policy Review . 
JAPAN  
4.244.   Japan welcomes the disting uished delegation of the Dominican  Republic, headed by 
Ambassador José  Sánchez -Fung. Japan also expresses its appreciation to the Government of the 
Dominican  Republic and to the WTO Secretariat for their respective Reports produced for this review, 
as well  as to the discussant, H.E.  Ms María Pagán, Ambassador of the United  States for her insightful 
illustrations.  
4.245.   The Dominican  Republic and Japan share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, 
human rights, and the rule of law, and have developed frien dly and cooperative relations over the 
years. We also recognize that Japanese emigrants and the Japanese community have served as a 
bridge between our two countries.  
4.246.   Starting with a general observation, Japan acknowledges that the Dominican  Republic has 
achieved economic growth and higher employment levels by maintaining an open market. We are 
aware that the stability and efficiency of the business environment is highly appreciated, especially 
within the free trade zone, which accounts for 60% of the export  share, with well -developed facilities 
and duty -free measures.  
4.247.   According to the Secretariat's Report, the Dominican  Republic experienced a sharp decline 
in trade in services, particularly tourism, due to the impact of COVID -19, but the economy has since 
reversed its downward trend and increased to levels above pre -pandemic levels, and we expect the 
recovery to be even stronger in the future.  
4.248.   Taking this opportunity, I would like to touch upon several specific issues on trade policies 
of the Dominican  Republ ic. 
4.249.   First, regarding our economic relationship, we recognize that the CAFTA -DR is an ideal 
platform for Japanese companies that manufacture products for the North  American market to 
expand their global operations. In addition, Japanese companies operating in the 
Dominican  Republic 's free zones have also appreciated the speedy and appropriate customs 
clearance procedures. Japan hopes to deepen its economic relationship with the Dominican  Republic 
as an important trading partner in the future.  
4.250.   Next,  regarding engagement in the WTO, Japan believes that promoting and encouraging 
Member States' participation in negotiations is important for improving the WTO 's rules negotiation 
function, and supports the Dominican  Republic 's participation in the JSI dis cussions on MSMEs and 
IFDs. Japan encourages the Dominican Republic to participate in the JSI e  commerce as well.   
4.251.   In addition, as pointed out in the Secretariat 's Report, we recognize that various WTO 
notifications have been undertaken since the last Review, and we hope to further see a positive 
attitude toward transparency. We look forward to the Dominican  Republic 's continued efforts as a 
partner in maintaining and strengthening the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core.  
4.252.   With respect to re gional trade agreements, Japan is aware that the Dominican  Republic has 
established free trade agreements with the European  Union, the United  States and Central  American 
and Caribbean countries, such as CAFTA -DR, CARIFORUM -EUEPA, and CARIFORUM -UKEPA, throu gh 
which the market is open to about 1  billion people. We hope that these RTAs will be well implemented 
and that they will complement the multilateral trading system.  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  4.253.   In closing, we wish the delegation of the Dominican  Republic a successful Trade Policy 
Review.  
PERÚ  
4.254.   El Perú desea saludar a su excelencia el Embajador José  Sánchez -Fung, y a su honorable 
delegación, así como sumarse a los agradecimientos expresados por otras delegaciones por el 
informe presentado sobre el desempeño macroeconómico y su régimen de política comercial en 
ocasión de su quinto  examen de política comercial. Asimismo, agradecer a la Secretaría por el 
informe alcanzado a los Miembros y a la Embajadora María  Pagán por sus acertados y precisos 
comentarios como ponente.  
4.255.   Al igual que lo expresado por otros Miembros, nuestra delegación aprecia el notable 
crecimiento económico de la República  Dominicana en el período objeto de examen, superando 
incluso los impactos que la pandemia de la COVID -19 nos trajo a todos. Un crecimi ento basado en 
la fortaleza de su sector de servicios y la expansión de otros sectores como la construcción y la 
manufactura local.  
4.256.   Asimismo, es de destacar el despliegue de nuevas medidas para modernizar y simplificar los 
regímenes y procedimientos aduan eros a través de una nueva Ley de Aduanas que, una vez se 
aplique completamente, armonizará la legislación interna dominicana con sus compromisos 
internacionales asumidos multilateral y bilateralmente durante las últimas tres décadas.  
4.257.   En lo que se refiere  a nuestras relaciones comerciales bilaterales, la República  Dominicana 
es nuestro primer socio comercial en el Caribe, y nuestros intercambios bilaterales marcaron un 
récord en 2021, alcanzando USD 136 millones gracias al aumento de las exportaciones del Perú, 
que habían decrecido en los tres  años previos. No obstante, creemos que aún existen oportunidades 
comerciales mutuas tanto en el sector agropecuario como en el de servicios que estamos seguros 
ambas naciones sabremos aprovechar.  
4.258.   Pasando al sistema m ultilateral, no quiero dejar de saludar el activo rol y los esfuerzos de la 
República  Dominicana en este foro, y valorar sinceramente que este examen haya servido de marco 
para que renueve su compromiso con la estabilidad y la solidez del sistema multilate ral del comercio.  
4.259.   Habiendo señalado estos puntos, solo me resta agradecer a la delegación de la 
República  Dominicana por este ejercicio, y desearle un exitoso examen de sus políticas comerciales.  
BARBADOS ON BEHALF OF THE CARICOM GROUP1 
4.260.   This statement is made on behalf of the CARICOM  Group. We also align with the statement 
by Kenya on behalf of the ACP  Group.  
4.261.   We congratulate the Dominican  Republic on its fifth Trade Policy Review and commend 
Ambassador S ánchez -Fung and his team for the quality  of their Report. We express our appreciation 
to the discussant, H.  E. Ms María Pagán (United  States), for her interesting analysis and 
observations. We thank the Secretariat for their usual thorough preparations of this trade policy 
review.  
4.262.   CARICOM and th e Dominican  Republic are long standing partners having signed the 
CARICOM -Dominican  Republic Free Trade Agreement that entered into force in 2001. CARICOM and 
the Dominican  Republic also partnered as CARIFORUM to negotiate comprehensive economic 
partnership agreements with the European  Union and the United  Kingdom to regulate inter regional 
trade. We have a long history of collaboration around trade.  
4.263.   We commend the Dominican  Republic for its economic resilience and proactive policy 
response aimed at returning its economy to its pre -pandemic days.  
 
1 The following statements were delivered during the second day of the meeting.  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  4.264.   The small vulnerable economies in the region all share similar economic structures and 
vulnerabilities, and the pandemic arrested our growth trajectories and forced us to take immediate 
policy action to ge t into the path of recovery.  
4.265.   We commend the Dominican  Republic for the efforts it has made including the through the 
establishment and recommitment to its National Development Strategy . 
4.266.   The CARICOM Group recognizes the importance of the agriculture sector to the economy as 
it serves as the major source of employment especially in rural communities. We recogni ze the 
efforts made to strengthen this sector by implementing programmes which seek to modernize and 
develop the sector as a competitive and profitable  market for producers.  
4.267.   In closing, the CARICOM  Group wishes the delegation of the Dominican  Republic continued 
success. We partner in the region and we partner here at the multilateral level and we will continue 
to support each other 's developmental goals.  
BARBAD OS 
4.268.   We know the impact that the pandemic had on the economy of the Dominican  Republic . We 
know it because we felt it as well. From a 6 % annual GDP growth between 2014 and 2019, to its 
first recession in nearly 17  years, the D ominican  Republic , like a ll of us in the Caribbean region, was 
suddenly faced with economic contraction, decline in central government tax revenues and inflation 
driven by higher prices for imported inputs, fuels, and food.  But we are nothing is not resilient in 
our region. Hence,  we welcome that through Government's imposition of measured expansionary 
monetary policy; fiscal support and an increase in public spending on social protection programmes 
aimed at sustaining private sector recovery, the country's economy recovered quickl y: recording 
GDP growth of 12.3% in 2021. Barbados knows what it takes as a small, vulnerable economy to do 
this: courage, strong economic fundamentals and placing the needs of your people at the fore.  
4.269.   The Dominican  Republic has a plan. And that plan is to  continue to use trade policy as a tool 
for diversification including into new value -added export products, such as those related to the 
creative economy, the audio -visual industry, telecommunications , and information technology. 
There is much other small vulnerable economies can learn from the D ominican  Republic  as it 
embraces this new growth trajectory.  
4.270.   Barbados is a signatory to a reciprocal trade agreement between CARICOM and the 
Dominican  Republic. While Barbados ' exports to the Dominican  Republic have  fluctuated over the 
period since its last Trade Policy Review, the trade relationship has been characterized by annual 
trade deficits in favour of the Dominican  Republic. We continue to be concerned about the uneven 
application of Law 173 and look forward  to continuing discussions on this.  
4.271.   At the multilateral level, your commitment to the multilateral trading system and its 
principles is undeniable. Barbados looks forward to working with Ambassador Sánchez -Fung and his 
team as we pursue our shared objectiv es. 
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO  
4.272.   My delegation aligns with the CARICOM and ACP  Group statements.  
4.273.   Trinidad and Tobago is pleased to participate in the fifth Trade Policy Review of the 
Dominican  Republic. We join others in welcoming to Geneva the capital -based membe rs of the 
delegation and in commending the Head of Delegation, Ambassador José  Sánchez -Fung. Kudos to 
you, Ambassador, on your astute leadership both during the course of this review and, broadly 
speaking, of your diligent team here in Geneva. My delegation also wishes to acknowledge and 
commend the establishment of the Dominican  Republic 's dedicated WTO Mission in April  2022 and 
to applaud the Dominican  Republic for its valuable contributions, both at the WTO and in wider 
international Geneva.  
4.274.   Thank you as well to the discussant, Ambassador María  Pagán, for highlighting key 
developments relating to the economic and trade policy measures of the Dominican  Republic since 
the last Review and for highlighting key themes emerging from the questions posed  by Members.  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  4.275.   Madam e Chair, we also thank you for stepping in to chair this meeting, and we thank the 
Secretariat and the Government of the Dominican  Republic for the preparation of their respective 
Reports ahead of this review.  
4.276.   We join others in recogni zing the enviable outcomes to the policy approaches adopted by 
the Dominican  Republic in the context of the COVID -19 pandemic, including the notable increase in 
GDP by 12.3% between 2020 and 2021. The Dominican  Republic has demonstrated economic 
resilience d espite the vulnerability to exogenous shocks typically associated with small island 
developing states  (SIDS)  and, in this regard, the people -centric approach and poverty prevention 
efforts highlighted by Ambassador  Pagán are worthy of note. In fact, there are valuable lessons that 
other SIDS could draw from the Dominican  Republic 's approach to trade policy, both in the context 
of the COVID -19 pandemic and in the current context of the multidimensional, intersecting global 
crises relating to conflict, food i nsecurity and climate, among other elements. It is commendable 
that a prudent mix of fiscal and monetary measures have yielded sustained economic growth and 
that the Dominican  Republic has remained open to international trade in goods and services, in 
recognition of the critical role of trade as a driver of economic growth and sustainable development. 
In this regard, we commend the Dominican  Republic on its commitment to the rules -based 
multilateral trading system and to the WTO. We also recogni ze progress achieved regarding 
customs -related domestic legislation and implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
4.277.   Bilateral ties between Trinidad  and Tobago and the Dominican  Republic remain strong and 
our trade relations, in particular, are robust. In 2021,  for example, Trinidad  and Tobago 's exports 
to the Dominican  Republic were valued at USD  78.5 million and included Liquefied Natural Gas, urea, 
glass bottles and cereals. Imports from the Dominican  Republic to Trinidad  and Tobago for the same 
period were v alued at roughly half of the figure for exports, at USD  38.9 million. These imports 
included gypsum, soft drinks, plastic items , and bananas. Officials from both countries continue to 
explore ways in which to boost trade, increase investment and strengthen  cooperation, including as 
they relate to the shared imperative for economic and export diversification. In fact, 
Trinidad  and Tobago has benefited from bilateral discussions on the Dominican  Republic 's Free Trade 
Zone in efforts relating to the establishm ent of a Special Economic Zones authority in 
Trinidad  and Tobago. It is understood that both countries have expressed keenness with respect to 
the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Promotion of Trade, Investment and 
Productive Chains as part of a broader effort to enhance our trading relationship.  
4.278.   The CARICOM -Dominican  Republic Free Trade Agreement provides an important framework 
and platform for trade between Trinidad  and Tobago, CARICOM and the Dominican  Republic, and 
the CARIFORUM -EU and CARIFORUM -UK Economic Partnership Agreements have served as  
invaluable contexts for the strengthening of regional ties, trade and cooperation.  
4.279.   Here in international Geneva, the Dominican  Republic and Trinidad  and Tobago collaborate 
closely and often on a number of key issues of interest for our countries. As smal l island developing 
states, we continue to work side by side, codo a codo, to secure and advance the interests of our 
small and vulnerable economies (SVEs), for example at UNCTAD, WIPO and the Human Rights 
Council. At the WTO in particular, our shared memb ership of GRULAC, the SVE Group and ACP Group 
have facilitated joint advocacy and defence of our interests on a range of issues, including fisheries 
subsidies, agriculture, trade and natural disasters and electronic commerce. Both delegations share 
a keen interest in advancing development -related considerations at the WTO and the delegation of 
the Dominican  Republic can rest assured of the support of Trinidad  and Tobago for its leadership 
efforts and aspirations in this regard.  
4.280.   Finally,  notwithstanding the  economic resilience and prowess demonstrated by the 
Dominican  Republic, and in highlighting once again the vulnerabilities and challenges faced by SVEs, 
I take this opportunity to reference the 2015 Nairobi Ministerial Decision regarding substantially and  
meaningfully addressing the needs of SVEs in every area of WTO work. I also wish to reiterate 
perspectives outlined in this house on problematic categori zation that impedes access to TACB for 
SVEs and SIDS like the Dominican  Republic and Trinidad  and Tobago.  
4.281.   In closing, Trinidad  and Tobago commends the Dominican  Republic once again on its 
achievements since its last Review and congratulates the delegation in advance on the completion 
of a successful TPR.  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DOMI NICAN  REPU BLIC  AND ADDITIONAL 
COMMENTS  
5.1.  Distinguida Embajadora Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme , Representante Permanente de Botswana 
ante la OMC y Presidenta interina del Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales de la OMC;  
estimada Embajadora María  Pagán, Representante Permanente de los Estados  Unidos de América 
ante la OMC;  colegas de los Estados Miembros y de la Secretaría de la OMC;  miembros de la 
delegación y de la Misión Permanente de la República  Dominicana . 
5.2.  El buen funcionamiento del intercambio come rcial depende de la cooperación entre las 
economías de todo el mundo. Pero cumplir con los requisitos para lograr ese resultado es costoso, 
especialmente para países en vías desarrollo.  
5.3.  Los trabajos preparatorios para el quinto  examen de la política comerc ial de la 
República  Dominicana iniciaron en el mes de enero  de 2021, e implicaron mucho esfuerzo y 
dedicación por todos los involucrados. Hace apenas algunas horas expresé, en nombre del Gobierno 
de la República  Dominicana, nuestra satisfacción por acudir a este escenario para presentar esta 
revisión, la cual es un instrumento fundamental para la transparencia del sistema multilateral del 
comercio, y de esta forma cumplir con uno de los compromisos básicos asumidos por todos los 
Miembros de la OMC.  
5.4.  Reitero nuestra complacencia, ahora motivada por la calurosa acogida de todos ustedes, y la 
satisfacción del deber cumplido. Valoramos sus intervenciones, hemos prestado especial atención a 
cada uno de sus comentarios e interrogantes, tanto a aquellas por escrito como a las expresadas en 
la pasada sesión.  
5.5.  Asimismo, deseo expresar nuevamente nuestro profundo agradecimiento a la 
Embajadora  Molokomme, la Embajadora  Pagán, y a los colegas de la Secretaría de la OMC, por sus 
valiosas contribuciones y apoyo en este quint o examen de las políticas comerciales de la 
República  Dominicana.  
5.6.  También reiteramos nuestro agradecimiento a los representantes de los Estados  Miembros que 
nos han acompañado en estos dos días, durante los cuales hemos mostrado los logros alcanzados 
por e l país en su política orientada a la apertura comercial, con un espíritu de transparencia, y en 
consonancia con los principios y objetivos de esta Organización, que promueven una mejor calidad 
de vida de nuestra población de forma sostenible, inclusiva, y respetando el medioambiente natural.  
5.7.  Las intervenciones realizadas por los Estados  Miembros destacan el ritmo de crecimiento de la 
economía dominicana durante el período abarcado por el examen previo a la aparición del COVID -19, 
así como la rápida recupera ción tras la pandemia. Ese resultado refleja la resiliencia de la economía 
dominicana y la efectividad de las medidas de política monetaria y fiscal implementadas de manera 
oportuna, las cuales han contribuido con la trayectoria de expansión del PIB entorn o al ritmo de 
crecimiento potencial de la economía.  
5.8.  Otro aspecto que ha sido valorado por los Miembros son las mejoras orientadas a facilitar las 
inversiones y el clima de negocios, como resultado de la adopción de medidas dirigidas a fortalecer 
la segurid ad jurídica y la transparencia. Al respecto, expresamos el compromiso de nuestro Gobierno 
para que las inversiones encuentren en nuestro país un destino cada vez más seguro. De igual 
forma, continuaremos participando activamente en los debates sobre la Fac ilitación de las 
Inversiones, con miras a lograr un acuerdo antes de la CM13.  
5.9.  Los servicios también han atraído el interés de los participantes, lo cual es producto de la 
relevancia del comercio de servicios en la economía mundial, y su impacto sobre la ge neración de 
empleo y la diversificación de las inversiones. En tal sentido, la República  Dominicana viene 
implementando una serie de estrategias que contribuyen con el desarrollo de esas actividades. Por 
tanto, valoramos las sugerencias de participar en la s iniciativas de declaraciones conjuntas sobre 
comercio electrónico y reglamentación nacional en materia de servicios.  
5.10.  Como es de conocimiento de todos, la propiedad intelectual es un elemento fundamental para 
el desarrollo de los servicios modernos y la e conomía creativa. Por esa razón la 
República  Dominicana ha redoblado esfuerzos para su protección. Para tales fines, se ha creado la WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  unidad de propiedad intelectual de la Procuraduría  General  de la República, y se han designado 
fiscales especializados en t oda la geografía nacional, con el objetivo de garantizar la observancia de 
los derechos de los titulares y la protección al consumidor, y la reciente creación del Consejo Nacional 
de Propiedad Intelectual. Estas iniciativas han contado con el apoyo de vari os Miembros de esta 
Organización.  
5.11.  Por otro lado, las políticas implementadas en materia de sistemas de pagos y ciberseguridad 
han contribuido con la expansión del mercado financiero nacional y el regional, y el desarrollo de 
empresas en el área de Fintech,  iniciativa que ha sido positivamente valorada por ustedes, lo que 
nos motiva a continuar trabajando en la agenda regional, tal como ha sucedido con la Alianza para 
el Desarrollo en Democracia, lo que esperamos pudiera extenderse a otros grupos de países.  
5.12.  Como hemos expresado anteriormente, la República  Dominicana continúa avanzando en la 
facilitación del comercio para reducir los costos administrativos y trámites aduaneros; y para ello 
fue promulgado recientemente el Reglamento  de Aplicación  de la Ley  168-21, mediante Decreto  
Presidencial  No. 755-22. Adicionalmente, hemos trabajado con el fortalecimiento de los programas  
de Despacho  24 horas , Exporta+, la Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior y el Operador Económico 
Autorizado Simplificado, instrumentos que  fortalecen la competitividad de nuestro comercio.  
5.13.  Igualmente, desde el 2021 el país fortalece su sistema de licencias de importación de 
productos agropecuarios, mediante la conformación de un registro de importadores agropecuarios 
para agilizar la adminis tración de dichas licencias. Además, ha cumplido con la notificación de todos 
los reglamentos de aplicación de la administración de los contingentes arancelarios y licencias, a 
través de los Decretos  319-22, 553-22 y 554-22, en una clara expresión de compr omiso con la 
transparencia, previsibilidad, y certeza jurídica para los agentes económicos.  
5.14.  Nuestro país reitera su compromiso con el sistema multilateral de comercio, basado en 
normas, y seguirá participando activamente en las negociaciones de la OMC y en el fortalecimiento 
de sus órganos. Asimismo, expresamos nuestra voluntad de continuar parti cipando activamente en 
los grupos de trabajo sobre las mipymes , y sobre comercio  y género. De igual forma, informamos 
que el país se encuentra realizando los esfuerzos para ratificar el Acuerdo sobre Subvenciones a la 
Pesca, uno de los principales compromi sos asumidos en la  CM12.  
DISCUSSANT  
5.15.  It has been an honour to participate as the discussant in this fifth  Review of the 
Dominican  Republic's trade policy. The 26  Members who spoke on Tuesday all highlighted the 
Dominican  Republic's commitment and contributi ons to the multilateral trading system, its role as 
an important regional trading partner, and the country's resilience to weather external shocks 
including the COVID -19 pandemic and global supply shocks brought about by the 
Russia n Federation 's unprovoked  war in Ukraine. According to the World  Bank, over the last decade 
it has been the second fastest growing economy in Latin  America and the Caribbean.  
5.16.  Members universally commended the Dominican  Republic's response to the COVID -19 
pandemic, highlighting the  country's macroeconomic stability and mix of fiscal and policy measures 
undertaken to help weather the COVID -19 storm and alleviate the negative impact of the pandemic.  
5.17.  I echo one Member's call to the Dominican  Republic to share its experiences at the WTO  of 
how the policies it pursued in response to the COVID -19 pandemic could apply to disaster 
preparedness more broadly, and help potentially cushion against future crises. Let's not forget that 
just over the last five  years, the Dominican -Republic has also  had to deal with devastating hurricanes 
– Irma, María, and Fiona. I know all too well the devastating effects on every aspect of life as a 
result of those hurricanes. The Dominican  Republic's experiences and perspectives on how to recover 
from these event s would also be very valuable.  
5.18.  There is an informal event on disaster preparedness that is being organized by the Secretary 
of the Trade Facilitation Committee on the margins of the March  2023 formal meeting. I  would 
encourage the Dominican  Republic to par ticipate in this informal event.  
5.19.  Most Members highlighted the trade facilitative measures the Dominican  Republic has 
undertaken to help improve competitiveness, including the enactment of a new customs law aimed WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  at modernizing and simplifying customs proce dures, clearing goods within 24  hours, and simplifying 
authorized economic operator (AEO) status for MSMEs.  
5.20.  Several Members noted the Dominican  Republic's role as a founding member of the Alliance 
for Development in Democracy along with Costa  Rica and Pana ma, with Ecuador recently joining. 
The Alliance offers a model of cooperative innovation between like -minded countries to improve the 
lives of their citizens and the citizens of the entire region by strengthening democratic institutions 
and promoting econo mic prosperity. I would note that the United  States recently signed a 
memorandum of understanding with the Alliance to work together to strengthen supply chain 
resiliency, with a view to sharing best practices and results with the entire region.  
5.21.  The Domini can government's focus on putting "quality of life" at the heart of its development 
objectives and its promotion of initiatives like the Alliance for Development in Democracy are the 
embodiment of the principles and broader economic welfare goals set out i n the Marrakesh 
Agreement - putting people first. The same can be said of the Dominican government's focus on 
integrating women and MSMEs into the country's development and trade policy objectives, and its 
participation in the WTO's Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender, and on MSMEs.  
5.22.  It is no wonder then that several Members noted their strong bilateral and regional trading 
relationships with the Dominican  Republic, and their interest in forging even closer trade and 
investment ties through new trade agreements and cooperation.  
5.23.  A number of Members highlighted the importance of transparency, which Ambassador 
Sánchez -Fung noted in his opening statement on Tuesday as one of the highest priorities for the 
Dominican Government. One Member encouraged the Dom inican  Republic to join efforts to enhance 
and improve WTO technical assistance for transparency and meeting notification requirements. 
Again, I think that would be much welcomed.  
5.24.  Given its desire to improve its competitiveness in newer sectors like ICT and impro vements 
to the financial system and innovation ecosystem, a number of Members urged the 
Dominican  Republic to broaden its participation into other WTO activities, including the joint 
statement initiatives on e -commerce and services domestic regulation, as well as ratify the 
Information Technology Agreement.  
5.25.  As I noted on Tuesday, I was pleased to hear that the Dominican  Republic will be participating 
as an observer in the Committee on Government Procurement. A number of Members encouraged 
the Dominican  Republic to follow through and join the Government Procurement Agreement.  
5.26.  Turning to ongoing trade irritants, some Members expressed concerns related to the 
Dominican  Republic's use of import licensing, SPS measures, and non -tariff barriers. In addition, 
some Members raised concerns about the Dominican  Republic's use of tariff peaks for certain 
agricultural goods, and encouraged the Dominican  Republic to pursue deeper agricultural reforms 
and market liberalization.  
5.27.  Despite these, the overall sense was of a memb ership that is very interested in strengthening 
their economic cooperation with the Dominican  Republic on a bilateral, regional, and multilateral 
basis here at the WTO.  
5.28.  I personally look forward to further cooperation with the Dominican team here in Geneva, 
especially Ambassador Sánchez -Fung on the many important issues that we are seeking to address. 
I believe you bring very valuable perspectives and lived experiences that can help us move our 
reform and other agendas along. I would highlight that th ere are ongoing discussions on ways to 
improve the functioning of the Trade Policy Review Mechanism to bring greater value -added to the 
Membership. Your views, having just concluded this Trade Policy Review, would be welcome.  
5.29.  Para concluir, mis felicitacio nes para la República  Dominicana por sus contribuciones a la OMC 
y por su resiliencia económica durante tiempos difíciles. Muchas gracias a la delegación de la 
República  Dominicana, el equipo del Secretariado, los intérpretes, y todos los Miembros que han 
participado en este examen. Creo que ha sido un "jonrón".  
  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  EUROPEAN  UNION  
5.30.  The EU would like to thank the delegation of the Dominican  Republic for the overview of the 
main developments , as well as challenges in economic and trade policies , since the last T rade Policy 
Review, that we heard Tuesday morning and this morning , as well as  for the very comprehensive 
replies to the advance questions we submitted. We  would notably like to thank for the ample  
responses provided on the questions we posed on intellectual property protection , and would like  to 
commend the Dominican  Republic for the creation of the institution of the liaison prosecutor 
especially , and improve enforcement as a result of that.  We ha ve submitted a few follow -up 
questions yesterday on areas of  some concern and continued interest for the EU . Notably , we are 
seeking further clarification regarding granting the due preferential tariff treatment,  new proposed 
national implementing legislat ion for the customs law,  continued de facto ITBIS discrimination 
between imported and like national products , and publishing all relevant information on the 
necessary tests to guarantee sanitary and phytosanitary compliance in its main export markets.  We 
look forward to the replies in due time.  
5.31.  The EU notes that this review has been very useful for better understanding the trade policy 
and practices of the Dominican  Republic and we trust that Dominican  Republic will take due into 
account  some of the very fe w challenges highlighted by Members.  
5.32.  The EU looks forward to continuing our close cooperation in both , multilateral and bilateral , 
fora as mentioned on the first day of this review. The estimates suggest that  our bilateral trade will 
likely have, again, s et a new record this year and this success is yet another example of the benefits 
of an open and rules -based trade relationship . 
5.33.  Finally , the EU would like to thank the Dominican  Republic for its constructive  participation in 
this review and its continued engagement and commitment in the multilateral trading system. On 
behalf of the EU , I would like to congratulate the Dominican  Republic for the successful fifth  Trade 
Policy R eview.  
UNITED  STATES  
5.34.  The United  States welcomes this opportunity to restate our appreciation to Ambassador 
Sánchez -Fung for his stewardship of this review and for the considerable effort the Government of 
the Dominican  Republic has invested in not only undertaking this review but also in supporting and 
enriching the work of the WTO ac ross Committees and other activities.  
5.35.  I would like to acknowledge the hard work and tireless efforts of the large delegation from 
the Dominican  Republic here today, the United  States knows very well how much time and effort is 
required behind the scenes to  engage in a Trade Policy Review and we sincerely appreciate the long 
hours you have undoubtedly invested in preparing for the Review and responding to the questions 
posed by Members.  
5.36.  I would also like to reiterate the value the United  States places on it s relationship with the 
Dominican  Republic, both in our bilateral trade relations and in our cooperation here at the WTO.  
We hope that this review will result in even closer cooperation here in Geneva, as we believe this 
review has demonstrated that the Do minican  Republic has a lot to share with Members.  
5.37.  On Trade Facilitation, a large number of Members highlighted the Dominican  Republic 's 
domestic reforms and continued improvements in customs. We hope that the TF Committee remains 
a venue where you will sh are your experiences with others and that together we can lead meaningful 
cooperative work that supports your ongoing domestic reform efforts. We also look forward to 
working closely with the Dominican  Republic customs authorities through our new EDGE tech nical 
assistance fund.  
5.38.  The United  States and other Members also raised questions about the Dominican  Republic 's 
administration of SPS measures. We look forward to working together with your delegation as part 
of the SPS work plan for new and emerging issu es facing agricultural trade.   
5.39.  Appreciate the update you have provided today regarding your efforts to fulfil WTO 
transparency obligations, particularly with respect to agricultural products. Again, we want to extend WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  an invitation to the Dominican  Republi c to join with the United  States and other Members to 
contribute to improving the WTO 's technical assistance to developing countries aimed at improving 
domestic coordination mechanisms needed to effectively fulfil WTO transparency requirements.  
5.40.  Finally, w e greatly appreciated hearing directly from the Dominican  Republic about its 
dedicated focus on fostering policy development aimed at improving the lives of its citizens and 
economic competitiveness through a series of ambitious national development plans.  A significant 
number of Members also expressed interest in this focus. We hope that we are able to engage more 
and learn more about how the Dominican  Republic develops and implements these plans.  
5.41.  We congratulate the Dominican Republic on a successful T rade Policy Review  
  WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
6.1.  The fifth Trade Policy Review of the Dominican  Republic was an excellent opportunity to get a 
clearer understanding  of the country's main developments, achievements and challenges in its trade 
and in vestment policies since the previous Review in 2015. I would like to thank the Dominican 
delegation, led by H.E.  Ambassador Sánchez -Fung, Permanent Representative of the 
Dominican  Republic to the WTO, for their constructive and valuable engagement througho ut the 
review process. I would also like to thank H.E.  Ambassador María  Luisa Pagán of the United  States, 
our discussant, whose comments contributed to enriching our discussions. The more 
than 200 questions submitted before the meeting and the 28 delegatio ns that took the floor highlight 
the importance Members attach to the trade and related policies of the Dominican  Republic. Members 
greatly appreciated the written responses provided by the Dominican  Republic and look forward to 
receiving outstanding respo nses no later than one month after this meeting is adjourned.  
6.2.  Members commended the Dominican  Republic for having recovered quickly from the negative 
effects of the COVID -19 pandemic. GDP declined by 6.7% in 2020, but recovered strongly in 2021, 
expanding by over 12%. This was due to the adoption of sound macroeconomic policies that included 
a fiscal package  of over 4% of GDP, a liquidity injection, and a reduction in reserve requirements. 
Members noted that the Dominican  Republic showed impressive economic  resiliency during the 
pandemic, especially considering the challenges that vulnerable economies such as the 
Dominican  Republic face due to climate change.  
6.3.  Members noted that the Dominican  Republic's trade policy regime had remained in general 
open and tra nsparent, with few obstacles. This is reflected in the importance that trade in goods and 
services has for the economy , accounting for over half of GDP. Tourism remains one of the main 
sources of foreign exchange, followed by exports from free trade zones and remittances from 
Dominicans abroad, which, combined, totalled some USD  23 billion, or over 25% of GDP in 2022. In 
this context, Members noted the heavy reliance on exports which are manufactured in free trade 
zones and in one single market.  
6.4.  Membe rs acknowledged that the Dominican  Republic had achieved strong economic growth 
and higher employment levels by maintaining an open market. In this regard, Members noted efforts 
made to maintain an attractive climate for business and investment, such as th e implementation of 
secure payment systems and the development of a FinTech industry. However, the 
Dominican  Republic was encouraged to continue strengthening the rule of law. Foreign direct 
investment is expected to assist the Dominican  Republic in divers ifying exports, especially in 
"modern services". In this context, the Dominican  Republic was encouraged to ratify the 
WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA). In addition, Members noted that the electricity 
sector continued to face challenges due to the  lack of investment in transmission and distribution, 
and reliance on imported petroleum fuel, despite diversification efforts; this could affect Dominican 
international competitiveness.  
6.5.  Members appreciated the active engagement of the Dominican  Republic i n the WTO and its 
strong commitment to a rules -based multilateral trading system. Members were pleased to note that 
since September  2022 the Dominican  Republic has participated in the Committee on Government 
Procurement as an observer. Members also highlig hted the participation of the Dominican  Republic 
in the joint initiatives on MSMEs and investment facilitation for development, and was invited to 
participate in other initiatives, such as those related to e -commerce and services domestic 
regulation. While  the Dominican  Republic's efforts to involve women in trade were highly 
appreciated, more information was sought on how to effectively integrate women into development 
plans and international trade. Some Members referred to its overall good notification re cord and 
urged the Dominican  Republic to submit outstanding notifications to further contribute towards 
transparency.  
6.6.  Members noted that there had been significant changes in the Dominican  Republic's customs 
regime, as new customs legislation had been issued to modernize and simplify customs regimes and 
procedures, to facilitate trade including electronic declarations and provisions on advance rulings. In 
this context, Members congratulated the Dominican  Republic for recently adopting regulations to 
fully implement this law. In addition, Members welcomed that, despite the current economic 
difficulties, tariffs had remained relatively low, with an average MFN rate of 7.8% in  2021, the same 
as in 2014; some 54% of tariff lines are zero -rated. However, some  discrepancies were noted 
regarding the application of MFN and preferential tariffs, and other charges affecting imports. WT/TPR/W/222  
 
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  Although few non -tariff barriers are applied, it was noted that the Dominican  Republic maintained a 
system of import licensing, which raised some concerns.  
6.7.  Some Members also referred to the outdated nature of some SPS legislation. Members 
commended the Dominican  Republic for ensuring greater transparency and predictability in the 
procedures to develop technical regulations. Members appre ciated the entry into force of the 
competition law, which increased efficiency in the economy. New developments regarding the IPR 
regime were positively welcomed; however, concerns remained regarding the patent review and 
approval process and piracy.  
6.8.  On ag riculture, Members were pleased to note the shift towards sustainable agriculture 
practices during the review  period and how these practices had contributed towards increased food 
security, rural jobs, and agricultural exports. Nonetheless, concerns were r aised on some domestic 
support programmes, high levels of tariff protection, and exemptions for import licences.  
6.9.  Members recognized and commended the Dominican  Republic's holistic approach to improving 
the lives of its citizens and economic competitiveness  through a series of ambitious national 
development plans. Members encouraged the Dominican  Republic to share its experiences on the 
impact of these policies, and the policies  put in place to deal with future crisis.  
6.10.  In closing, I would like to point out t hat our discussions highlighted the importance Members 
attach to the Dominican  Republic's  trade and related policies and to its engagement in the 
multilateral trading system. The Review of the Dominican  Republic's trade policies and practices will 
be succe ssfully concluded, to the benefit of all the Membership, when all outstanding answers to the 
questions raised have been provided in one month. Lastly, let me thank the delegation of the 
Dominican  Republic, the discussant, all delegations that participated,  and the Secretariat for 
achieving a successful Trade Policy Review of the Dominican  Republic . 
 
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