WT/TPR/M/319  
29 October 2015  
(15-5717)  Page: 1/44  
Trade Policy Review Body 
22 and 24 July 2015  
 
  TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC  
MINUTES OF THE MEETING 
Chairperson: H.E. Mr. Atanas Atanassov Paparizov (Bulgaria) 
CONTENTS 
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAI RPERSON ....................................................... 2  
2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DOMINICAN 
REPUBLIC....................................................................................................................... .. 5 
3  STATEMENT BY TH E DISCUSSANT .............................................................................. 13  
4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS ........................................................................................ 16  
5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND 
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ............................................................................................... 39  
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAI RPERSON ......................................................... 43  
 
 
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/319/Add.1 and will be 
available online at http://www.wto.org/ english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
1.1.  The fourth Trade Policy Review of the Dominica n Republic was held on 22 and 24 July 2015. 
The Chairperson H.E. Mr Atanas Atanassov Paparizov (Bulgaria) welcomed the delegation of the Dominican Republic headed by H.E. Mr César Dargam Espaillat, Vice Minister of External Relations; 
H.E. Ambassador Luis Piantini, Permanent Represen tative of the Dominican Republic to the WTO; 
the rest of the delegation from Santo Domingo; colleagues from the Mission in Geneva; and the discussant, H.E. Ambassador Esteban Conejos (Philippines). 
1.2.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of the Tr ade Policy Reviews and the main elements of 
the procedures for the meeting. The report by the Dominican Republic was contained in document WT/TPR/G/319 and that of the WT O Secretariat in WT/TPR/S/319. 
1.3.  The Dominican Republic opted for the alternative time-frame for its TPR. Questions by the 
following delegations had been submitted in writing before the deadline of 5.30 p.m. of 24 June 
and had been transmitted to the delegation of  the Dominican Republic: Australia; Peru; the 
European Union; Canada; the United States; Colombia; Brazil; Mexico; Costa Rica; and 
Guatemala. The following delegations submitted wr itten questions after the deadline: the Republic 
of Korea; Trinidad and Tobago; Ecuador; El Salvador; Thailand; and Chile. These questions had also been transmitted to the delegation of the Dominican Republic. 
1.4.  At the time of the previous review in 2008, Members had commended the Dominican 
Republic for its commitment to trade liberalization, as demonstrated by its unilateral MFN tariff reductions, as well as for the strengthening of its legal and institutional framework, including in the areas of competition policy, government procurem ent, and intellectual property rights. Members 
had also acknowledged the Dominican Republic's efforts to facilitate trade and modernize customs. 
Amidst a very positive review, Members had querie d the transparency in the adoption of technical 
regulations and SPS measures, as well as the administration of tariff-rate quotas. They had urged 
the Dominican Republic to continue taking steps to eliminate the distortions arising from fiscal 
incentives, and to comply with its international commitments in this area.   
1.5.  Now turning to the current fourth review, the Chairperson was pleased to note that the 
Dominican Republic weathered successfully the global crisis, with GDP growing at an annual 
average rate of 4.4% in the period 2008-14. This  was due to the use of countercyclical policies, 
Central Bank action to support banks and strengthen regulation, and a process of tax reform. As a result, domestic banks were currently well capitalized, the fiscal deficit remained contained, and 
public debt remained low, at some 38% of GDP in 2014. 
1.6.  Trade was important for the Dominican Republic , accounting for some two-thirds of GDP if 
Members considered flows of good and services . The main sources of foreign exchange were 
tourism receipts, exports from free trade zones and remittances from Dominican citizens working 
abroad. Manufactured products, especially textiles  and clothing and metal products, accounted for 
over 50% of exports. Agricultural exports consiste d mainly of sugar, coffee, and tobacco products. 
1.7.  The Dominican Republic valued considerably its participation in the multilateral trading 
system as shown by its active involvement in the WTO, including in the negotiations of the Doha round, where it participated in several negotiating groups.  
1.8.  While actively engaged in the WTO, the Dominican Republic had also pursued further 
liberalization by engaging in free trade agreements with its main trading partners. To date, it had 
subscribed five FTAs: the CAFTA-DR, the EPA between the EU and CARIFORUM, and FTAs with CARICOM and Central America, and with Panama. Members showed interest in the coverage, 
scope and implementation of these agreements. 
1.9.  Trade-enhancing initiatives had also included the simplification of customs procedures. In this 
regard, the Dominican Republic had taken several steps towards the facilitation of trade since its 
last review, mainly aimed at streamlining cust oms procedures, by making the process automated 
and relying increasingly on risk management systems to avoid unnecessary inspection and hence delays. The authorities were now working on the completion of a Single Window, which would further facilitate trade. An important recent st ep undertaken by the Dominican Republic was the WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  notification, in July 2014, of the measures in category A under the WTO Trade Facilitation 
Agreement. 
1.10.  The Dominican Republic's liberal trade and investment regime was characterized by low 
tariffs, few non-tariff barriers or investment restrict ions. Over half of tariff lines were zero-rated 
and foreign investors were generally granted national treatment. 
1.11.  Members would want to know more about the amendments introduced to the Dominican 
Republic's Free Zone legislation during the peri od under review to eliminate the 80% export 
requirement. Sales from free zones to the domestic market were now freely allowed, subject to a 
"compensatory tax" currently at 3.5%, which the authorities considered corresponds to the presumptive tax payed outside the zones. It would be interesting to hear from the authorities how 
the collection of this tax had operated since its implementation in 2013 and the impact on the 
movement of goods from free zones into the domestic market. 
1.12.  The concern expressed by Members in the la st review with respect to the lack of 
transparency of the technical regulation formulat ion process seemed to have been addressed by 
the Dominican Republic when it introduced in 2012 substantial changes to the procedures to 
determine and manage its technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessment process. 
The new legislation mandated that technical regulations, to the extent possible, be based on 
international standards. However, at the time of completion of the Secretariat report, the new law 
had not yet been fully implemented. Members woul d like to hear from the Dominican Republic 
where the implementation of the new law stood, and if its Regulations had come into force. 
1.13.  Despite not participating in the GPA, the Dominican Republic's procurement process had 
become increasingly transparent and most procurement now takes places competitively. There 
were no margins of preference for nationals. Th ere was a set-aside of 20% for small and medium 
size enterprises which was introduced in 2013. 
1.14.  Having taken stock of all the important achievements made by the Dominican Republic 
during the review period, Members came to areas where further efforts would be welcome. The first was competition policy, where, although a co mpetition authority had been established, at the 
time of drafting the Secretariat report, it was not yet operational, with no anti trust activities being 
currently carried out. Given the particular importance of ensuring a competitive market in a small economy, the Chairperson invited the delegation of  the Dominican Republic to update Members on 
the state-of-play of the competition policy enforcement.  
1.15.  Members noted that the Dominican Republic had addressed the concern expressed in the 
last review regarding the allocation of WTO tariff quotas by introducing changes to the way it allocated licences, which were now done through public auctions. Although overall protection to 
the agricultural sector remained moderate, tariffs were still higher than the national average. 
Members wanted to know more about the programme to grant aid to rice producers by covering storage and financial costs linked to credit obtained by the farmers. 
1.16.  An area were improvements were needed was the electricity sector, which was 
characterized by insufficient production. The scarce supply of electricity could have an impact in the further development of tourism and other industries. Members would like to hear more about the authorities' plans to reform the energy sector  to foster the production of renewable energy, 
mainly wind and solar energy. 
1.17.  These were only a few of the topics that were touched upon in the reports and in the over 
130 questions raised by Members. Other issues highlighted by Members included: restrictions to 
foreign investment in some areas; import licensing procedures; actions taken for enforcement of 
IPRs; incentives; notification of State-owne d enterprises; measures taken to increase 
competitiveness in agriculture; and criteria for approval of foreign investments in banking, among 
others.  
1.18.  The Chairperson was sure that these topics and themes, and many more, would be touched 
upon in greater detail at the deliberations on the first and second day of the meeting.  WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  1.19.  The Chairperson closed his introductory remarks by wishing the Dominican Republic a very 
successful fourth Trade Policy Review. He looked forward to its active engagement in this TPR. 
1.20.  He also noted that a podcast would be made of the meeting which could be accessed on the 
Members' website. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 
(H.E. MR CÉSAR DARGAM ESPAILLAT) 
2.1.  On behalf of the Government of the Dominican Republic, I would like to say how pleased we 
are to be here today to present our fourth Trade Policy Review and thus fulfil one of the core 
commitments undertaken by all Members of the World Trade Organization. 
2.2.  The presence of the Dominican delegation today is a clear demonstration of our 
Government's determination to help increase the transparency and understanding of its trade 
policies and practices, within this leading forum for intergovernmental dialogue on international 
trade issues. 
2.3.  Firstly, we should acknowledge that, since th e presentation of our previous Trade Policy 
Review, there have been constant changes in the international arena. Therefore, our analysis not 
only shows the internal factors that have had an impact on our economy and trade, but also 
reflects a period marked by severe external shocks that have affected, in one way or another, our indicators, actions and the potential of the reforms implemented by our Government. 
2.4.  As you will have noted in our report, the Dominican Republic still has a small economy (in a 
global context), and faces the same challenges as other small economies in a volatile international market, with competition from economies bolstered by technological development and innovation. 
Moreover, as we are an island State, we are vulnerable to the effects of global warming and to the 
natural disasters that affect our region. All these factors have led to the development of institutional policies and improvements, which are being implemented or are under negotiation, in order to overcome such challenges. After all, we may be an island, but we are not isolated. 
2.5.  The Dominican Republic that is presenting its trade policy review today has made significant 
progress in strengthening its institutional structures and democracy. This is clearly demonstrated by the fact that our development was not adversely affected by the change in government during 
the period under review. Due observance of the prin ciple of State continuity in issues of national 
interest has ensured progress and stability in the measures we have taken. 
2.6.  The Dominican Republic today is a different country from the one presented here just over six 
years ago. It has seen major progress in a number of areas, although there are still challenges to 
overcome. Nevertheless, it is a country that has placed people at the centre of its policies, as reiterated by our President Danilo Medina. Our approach promotes not only the generation of wealth, but also the comprehensive and sustainable development of our citizens. 
2.7.  Ladies and gentlemen, let me turn now to our economic environment. 
2.8.  During the period 2009-2014, the Dominican Re public saw average annual growth of 4.4%, 
including positive growth during the most difficult years of the international financial crisis. This 
high level of growth over this extensive period  of crisis, in which the OECD economies posted 
average growth of only 1%, confirms that the national authorities were correct in implementing countercyclical policies, supported through financial programmes of the International Monetary 
Fund (IMF). 
2.9.  Accordingly, it should be noted that as from 2013 (post crisis), our economic growth gathered 
pace, rising to 7.3% in 2014, and 6% in the firs t quarter of 2015. It was four times higher than 
the growth forecast for the Latin America and th e Caribbean region, and was mainly driven by 
increases in gross capital formation, goods exports, and income from tourism and remittances. 
These latter two sources of income are picking up steadily as the North American economy 
recovers. 
2.10.  Economic growth led to a 25% increase in GDP per capita, which reached US$6,480 in 2014 
(in 1991, per capita GDP stood at US$1,315, meaning that it has expanded five-fold in the last 25 years). 
2.11.  The annual inflation rate has remained under 4% and has been decreasing, particularly 
since 2012 when the Central Bank aligned its moneta ry policy with an inflation targeting scheme. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  In December 2014, the annual inflation rate was 1.58% and in May 2015, it continued to fall to 
0.23%. 
2.12.  The Dominican economy recorded further expansion in the external sector, boosted by the 
implementation of prudent macroeconomic policies and by a virtually unchanged real effective 
exchange rate which has supported our export sector, resulting in a change in growth trends for 
the components of foreign trade in goods. Our ex port growth rate almost doubled in comparison 
with imports. 
2.13.  The current account deficit of the balance of payments thus decreased gradually from 9.4% 
of GDP in 2008 to 3.1% in 2014. Moreover, the Central Bank's international reserves have increased and now stand at an amount equivalent to three months of total imports. 
2.14.  Another indicator that shows the resilience of the Dominican economy to external shocks is 
the consolidated public sector's external debt, which, in March 2015, accounted for 23.6% of GDP. 
This figure is relatively low compared with the debt of the other Caribbean economies. For example, their average total public debt was 78.6%  of GDP in 2014, while the total debt of the 
Dominican public sector was 37.9%, which has been reduced by 3.3 percentage points. This was 
due to the recent debt purchase by the Venezu elan oil company PDVSA, which included a 52% 
release from the amount owed. 
2.15.  As regards taxes, the reforms implemented to increase income levels, combined with the 
countercyclical expenditure policies introduced to address the negative effects of the external crisis on domestic aggregate demand, have played a fu ndamental role in strengthening our external 
sector. The domestic tax ratio to GDP increased by 2.7 percentage points in 2013 compared with 
2011. However, it still remains low at 15%, in comparison with the rest of Latin America and the 
Caribbean, where the average ratio is 21.3%. Since 2012, the deficit of the non-financial public sector has decreased by 3.7 percentage points (53%), falling to 3.2% of GDP in 2014. 
2.16.  This robust growth, together with low inflation and effective government policies aimed at 
combating poverty and improving income distribution, have considerably reduced extreme poverty, through the use of social spending for programmes targeting the most vulnerable 
segments of the population, technical and financial support for rural producers' associations in the 
poorest areas, and the active participation of smal l and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in credit 
access and government procurement. During the period under review, extreme poverty was reduced by 40%, dropping to 7.9% of the total po pulation in 2014. The Gini index decreased from 
0.494 to 0.453, a coefficient similar to that of the United States. Moreover, overall poverty has 
fallen from 42.2% to 35.5% compared with September 2012, that is to say 6.7 percentage points of GDP, and 9 percentage points in rural areas. 
2.17.  A s  s h o w n ,  w e  h a v e  m a d e  g r e a t  p r o g r e s s ,  b u t  w e  s t i l l  h a v e  w o r k  t o  d o .  A s  w e  h a v e  a n  
upper-middle income economy according to the World Bank ranking, we do not have access to multilateral and bilateral "soft" loans, despite the fact that we still have high poverty levels. 
2.18.  Nevertheless, in the last three years, 299,325 formal jobs have been created. This has 
helped lift 583,823 Dominicans out of poverty. Our people-centred approach is demonstrated by action rather than words. 
2.19.  Other tools used by the Dominican Government to reduce poverty have been aid 
programmes for the most disadvantaged rural areas. 
2.20.  We should point out that most of the country's poor households are located in these areas. 
Revitalizing the agricultural sector is necessary in order to drive growth and alleviate poverty. 
Therefore, one of the key objectives of our National Development Strategy 2010-2030 is to raise 
the productivity, competitiveness and environmental and financial sustainability of agricultural production chains so as to enhance food security , take advantage of export potential and generate 
employment and income for the rural population. 
2.21.  We should also mention that the Special Agricultural Development Fund (FEDA) was 
reactivated at the end of 2012. Its institutional and legal framework is based on Law No. 367 of 1972. FEDA's mission is to promote and stimulate sustainable development in rural areas in order WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  to improve the sector's competitiveness by streng thening social and production infrastructure and 
improving access to solidarity loans with low, positive real interest rates for producer organizations which, for various reasons, cannot benefit from loans provided by formal entities or commercial banks. 
2.22.  The President of the Republic, Danilo Medina, plays a direct role in managing these 
programmes by conducting "surprise visits", during which the needs stated by the country's poorest producers' associations (composed mainly of women) are identified, assessed and properly 
addressed. The aims here are to generate rural employment, ensure access to credit, reforest 
watersheds and modernize infrastructure in the co untryside, thereby raising the standard of living 
of rural dwellers. These programmes have been so effective that the producers' associations have already started exporting their products with the technical support of our Government through the 
Ministry of Agriculture. They have had such a great impact on poverty reduction that in 
September 2014, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) invited the Dominican Republic to present them as a model to be replicated in other countries. 
2.23.  Other tools used to place the Dominican Repu blic on the development path have been 
assistance programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In the last two years, 38 billion pesos (around US$900 million) have been spent on implementing SME assistance 
programmes, which have benefitted 150,000 SMEs, as part of a policy to stimulate and support 
the production sector and boost employment. 
2.24.  Under the government procurement policy, all procurement is conducted through 
competitive bidding, and the operations carried out by the institutions are monitored continuously 
by a group of supervisors from civil society. In accordance with the law, contracts with SMEs must 
represent a minimum of 20% of total government procurement. 
2.25.  It is clear that our trade policy review of the last six years coincides with a unique moment 
in history. In the period under review today, not only have we been able to reap the rewards of 
our work, but we have also been able to reflect on the economic environment of today and tomorrow. 
2.26.  We are living in times of constant change, which foreshadows a change of era. In the 
Dominican Republic, we are aware that in this situation, no country has a secure future ahead of it. The most successful will be those which are able to interpret and best adapt to the circumstances, create highly efficient mechanisms  to cope with changes, and ensure that their 
development is sustainable. 
2.27.  It was during the period under review that the Dominican Republic approved its 
National Development Strategy, which contains a vision for the future of our country. This strategy 
was adopted under Law No. 1-12 of 25 January of  2012 and its implementing regulations under 
Decree No. 134-14 issued on 9 April 2014. 
2.28.  Through extensive consultations, we were able to determine the kind of country Dominicans 
would like to have by 2030, and the best ways to  achieve it. A national agreement was therefore 
reached on what we want and how to obtain it. No w, this agreement requires combined efforts to 
ensure that the policies outlined in the Strategy  are pursued in order to achieve the necessary 
reforms. 
2.29.  The National Development Strategy represents a fundamental change in the management of 
the State. The conclusion of an agreement on objectives, policies and targets must ensure the 
continuity of government action in order to build the country that Dominicans want to see. 
2.30.  This long-term plan is based on three major national pacts: the Education Pact, the 
Electricity Pact, and the Fiscal Pact. I would like to provide a few details on these pacts, as we believe that they add value to our trade policy review. 
2.31.  The Education Pact establishes that a country pursuing development should invest in 
education. Therefore, a budget equivalent to 4% of GDP has been allocated as investment for this purpose. The Pact comprises the following main elements. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  2.32.  An initiative for extended-day schools: this is a new education model which extends the 
school timetable to eight hours of educational work in order to ensure quality teaching, and achieve better learning outcomes and greater equality and coverage. For the school year 2014-2015, 403,899 students were signed up for the Extended School Day Programme, which 
brought the total number of beneficiaries to 602,58 4, representing around 40% of students. Under 
this programme, the children remain in school from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., and are offered breakfast, lunch and snacks, in addition to extra-curricular activities. The programme not only has a positive 
effect on children's development but it also allows their parents to devote more time to other 
commitments. 
2.33.  A national plan for comprehensive early childhood care, called Quisqueya Empieza Contigo  
("The Dominican Republic starts with you"): this plan is one of the initiatives launched by the 
central government, and seeks to protect and prov ide comprehensive care for children under five 
years and their families, in order to promote the development of skills and opportunities, and thereby reduce poverty and social exclusion. Thro ugh the construction and furnishing of childcare 
facilities and community centres, we are creating the conditions required to provide care for 
446,776 children under five (46% of the total child population) by 2016. 
2.34.  A national literacy plan called Quisqueya Aprende Contigo  ("The Dominican Republic learns 
with you"): this programme, launched by our Govern ment, has been very interesting and fruitful. 
Overcoming illiteracy in individuals over 15 year s by the end of 2016 is one of the objectives 
prioritized by President Danilo Medina, with a view  to fostering continued learning and entry into 
the labour market. The achievement of this goal will enable us to build a society that can surmount 
the current levels of exclusion, benefitting not only Dominicans in our country, but also those living 
abroad. In 2014, a total of 184,730 beneficiaries completed the basic literacy programme, and in the last two years, 454,730 became literate, which is  evidence of the great efforts made to tackle 
illiteracy. Thanks to this programme, the Dominican Republic has met the target set by UNESCO to 
lower the illiteracy rate to less than 5% by the end of 2014. 
2.35.  An initiative to build, extend and refurbish classrooms: In 2014, 10,017 educational spaces 
were built, as part of the National Construction Plan, in order to address the shortage of 
classrooms. 
2.36.  An initiative for teaching career development and training for head teachers, with an 
emphasis on training and further training: This involves investment not only in infrastructure but 
also in the quality of our education. In 2014, total investment in teachers amounted to around 
US$35 million. 
2.37.  The objective of the Electricity Pact is to resolve the structural crisis which has affected the 
electricity sector in the Dominican Republic for a number of years and which has unquestionably 
halted the country's progress towards development. The Pact seeks to ensure the necessary predictability within the regulatory and institutional framework, to allow for the investment in 
energy required for national development, while guaranteeing a reliable supply of electricity at 
competitive prices and under financially and environmentally sustainable conditions. Alongside this process, the Dominican Government has made major investments in and great improvements to the electricity sector. 
2.38.  Concerning the Fiscal Pact, a tax reform was carried out in 2012, which enabled us to place 
the country on the path to economic growth that we mentioned at the beginning of this statement. 
Under this Fiscal Pact, a comprehensive tax reform is to be implemented, in order, among other 
objectives, to: (i) reduce tax evasion; (ii) impr ove the quality, efficien cy and transparency of 
public spending; and (iii) increase the efficiency , transparency and fairness of the tax structure. 
2.39.  Moreover, as part of the National Development Strategy, the Dominican Republic joined the 
Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes in 2013. The 
initiatives developed in this regard include the implementation of regulations on undercapitalization and on transfer pricing, in li ne with OECD recommendat ions. In fact, we were 
the first country in Central America and the Caribbean to introduce this type of regulations in our 
legislation. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  2.40.  Our current tax treaty partners are Canada, the United States and Spain. These countries 
account for over half of our direct foreign investment and our exports. Nevertheless, we have launched a strategy to extend our network of tax agreements to include all other relevant jurisdictions. As part of this strategy, we have developed a tax agreement model, based on the 
model recommended by the OECD for tax informat ion exchange agreements in 2002, which we will 
initially send to 20 countries. We will also be requesting accession to the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters in the very near future. 
2.41.  It should furthermore be noted that we have concluded a consent agreement to sign the 
Model 1A Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) for the reciprocal exchange of information with the United States. 
2.42.  These results and other efforts made by the Dominican Republic to date, confirm our 
commitment to fully complying with international rules, including the standards of the 
Global Forum. 
2.43.  Implementation of a trade policy aimed at deepening and making full use of the levels of 
openness achieved is one of the basic pillars of  our National Development Strategy. All of these 
actions helped to improve national economic and so cial indicators during the period under review. 
2.44.  In this regard, we should mention that since the previous trade policy review in 2008, the 
Dominican Republic has adopted various measures to facilitate trade and upgrade formalities and 
procedures relating to border customs management. The Integrated Customs Management System (SIGA) came on stream in 2009 as a technological tool that has helped automate goods import and export processes and reduce goods clearance costs and times. SIGA has now been 
implemented in all the country's customs administrations. 
2.45.  The Dominican Republic has developed the Auth orized Economic Operator (AEO) regime as 
a measure complementary to SIGA and in accordance with trade facilitation best practices and the 
guidelines contained in the SAFE Framework of the World Customs Organization (WCO) to secure 
and facilitate global trade. The legal framework for AEOs is contained in Decree No. 144-12 of 22 March 2012. At March 2015, 31 enterprises had already been certified as AEOs, including 
exporters, importers, port agents, shipping agents, customs agents, warehouses and freight 
consolidators. 
2.46.  Parallel to the operator certification process, other initiatives are under way to achieve 
mutual recognition between customs administrations and thereby further facilitate trade for 
operators involved in import or export transactions. A mutual recognition agreement has been 
signed with the customs administration of South Korea, and bilateral arrangements and meetings 
have already been initiated with the United St ates customs administration to the same end. 
2.47.  As already mentioned, another crucially important trade facilitation project is the Single 
Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE) created by Decree No. 470-14 of 12 December 2014. This is a tool that enables the parties involved in international trade to electronically submit the 
documentation and information required for goods import and export transactions once only via a 
single virtual site. 
2.48.  It should be noted that in February this year, a new, modern scientific laboratory, equipped 
with state-of-the-art technology, was inaugurated by the Dominican customs, with a view to 
fostering and supporting their technical procedures for control and facilitation. The capacity of the 
laboratory to analyse and verify goods that are hard to identify ensures that the correct tariff classifications for products, and consequently taxes or exemptions, where applicable, can be 
determined objectively. 
2.49.  The Dominican Republic has initiated the formalities for the acceptance and ratification of 
the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and is also taking the steps necessary to create and launch 
the National Trade Facilitation Committee. Along the same lines and as evidence of the 
Dominican Republic's resolve to implement this agreement, the country notified the WTO of the 
Category A measures being contemplated. Thes e are measures that will apply when the 
agreement takes effect, many of which were already in force before the above-mentioned 
notification and even before the signing of th e agreement. They include the availability of WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  information via the Internet, advance rulings, the ri ght of appeal or review, electronic payment of 
customs duties, and post-clearance audits. 
2.50.  As regards sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical regulations, the 
Dominican Republic has made major efforts to ensu re transparency by notifying them to the WTO. 
During the period under review, it submitted 77 notifications to the Committee on Technical 
Barriers to Trade and 82 to the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. 
2.51.  Currently, the Dominican customs enjoy a leading position at regional and international 
level, and have made substantial and sustained improvements over the last three years. The 
World Bank Doing Business in Central America and the Dominican Republic 2015 and 
Doing Business 2015  reports ranked the Dominican Republic 24th out of 189 countries that were 
evaluated based on their ease of trading across bo rders. This was an improvement of nine points 
compared with 2014, and 22 compared with 2013. These results show that the Dominican Republic 
was the third best economy, among the countries  analysed, in terms of improvement of the 
trading across borders indicator. 
2.52.  Regarding the free zone sector, we are pleased to announce that performance requirements 
were eliminated under Law No. 139-11 of 24 June 2011, thereby bringing the legal regime for free zones into line with the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures. 
2.53.  Furthermore, during the period under review, the Dominican Republic was a complainant 
before the Dispute Settlement Body for the first time. 
2.54.  Ladies and gentlemen, I would now like to share several additional comments on our foreign 
trade. 
2.55.  The Dominican Republic remains dedicated to liberalizing trade and fulfilling the 
commitments it has assumed multilaterally and through bilateral agreements. Accordingly, a 0% MFN tariff is applied to 54% of tariff lines, wi th an effective tariff rate of 3.8%, including 
agricultural goods. 
2.56.  In the period under review (2009-2014), Domini can exports grew significantly at an average 
rate of 12.4%, reaching US$8,574 million in 2014. This increase was driven by the gradual 
liberalization of trade through the signing of free trade agreements. 
2.57.  The effects of trade liberalization in the country is also evidenced by the rate of growth of 
our imports, which rose at an annual nominal rate  of 7.4% between 2009 an d 2014, to the benefit 
of production sectors and consumers alike. 
2.58.  Currently, the Dominican Republic is party to five trade agreements, involving a total of 
49 countries: the Economic Partnership Agreemen t (EPA) between the European Union and the 
CARIFORUM countries; the Free Trade Agreement be tween the United States, Central America and 
the Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR); the Free Trade Agreement between the Dominican Republic 
and Central America; the Free Trade Agreement wi th the countries of the Caribbean Community 
(CARICOM); and the Partial Scope Agreement betw een the Dominican Republic and Panama. It 
should be noted that the most recent agreement, the EPA between the European Union and the 
CARIFORUM countries, entered into force on 1 January 2009. At December 2014, the number of liberalized tariff lines under these agreements was around 6,676. 
2.59.  In 2014, the Dominican Republic's trade agreement partners accounted for around 82% of 
our total exports and 68% of our imports. The mo st significant trade agreement is the CAFTA-DR, 
which accounts for over 50% of total exports and imports. Nonetheless, the country has diversified 
its export markets, increasing exports to Europe, Asia, South America and Canada, and gradually 
reducing dependency on traditional markets. It is also important to highlight the impact of these 
agreements on the momentum of the Dominican economy. For the year 2014, exports represented 
2% of the 7.3% increase in GDP. 
2.60.  Notwithstanding the above, we are convince d that trade agreements do not guarantee 
development. Rather, they should be seen as part of a comprehensive strategy for integration in WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  international markets, which involves major challenges in terms of competitiveness and domestic 
productivity. 
2.61.  As part of our commitment to implementing and, in particular, to making full use of trade 
agreements (as catalysts for the creation and ex pansion of trade, employment generation and 
poverty reduction), the Dominican Government has developed various programmes with the 
participation of bilateral and multilateral cooperation bodies and agencies, in order to improve competitiveness and the positioning of our products on the international market, and especially in 
countries that are party to such agreements. 
2.62.  These programmes have had a significant impact on the structure and composition of 
exports, with a particular trend towards high value-added goods from agro-industry sectors (non-traditional and organic products such as coffee, cocoa, bananas, avocados, mangos and 
tobacco) and manufactures (medical and pharmace utical products and equipment, electrical 
products, footwear and jewellery). 
2.63.  As part of the support provided to allow our country to benefit from these agreements, 
geographical indications have been requested fo r 12 Dominican products, which will enable them 
to be sold at "Premium" prices in the international market. In turn, this will help improve the distribution of income along the entire producti on chain, prevent rural exodus, create business 
opportunities in other sectors such as tourism, protect the environment, and provide greater 
benefits for consumers, including guaranteed quality and a wider choice. 
2.64.  However, the review period also saw the erosion of our preferences due to a proliferation of 
regional and bilateral agreements involving our competitors. 
2.65.  While it is true that since 2008, we have not formally initiated any trade negotiation 
process, in this period we prioritized the participation of the Dominican Republic in integration processes within our region. In 2012, our country asked to become a full member of the Central 
American Integration System (SICA), a process that was formalized in 2013. Through 
CARIFORUM, we have maintained a relationship based on political dialogue, trade and cooperation with the European Union and the Caribbean. We have become observers in the Pacific Alliance, 
and have initiated arrangements with the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration 
(SIECA) and the Latin American Integration Association (LAIA). Maintaining good relations with our neighbours has been a priority. These relations foster development and progress, and are always based on respect for each country's sovereignty. 
2.66.  Furthermore, we have strengthened our negotiating capacity by providing technical training 
for our negotiating team, and conducting studies on the impact of potential trade agreements. We understand that the negotiation of new agreements may enable us to offset erosion, and 
simultaneously contribute to the diversification of our markets and effective participation in global 
value chains. 
2.67.  We would like to reiterate the Dominican Republic's commitment to the World Trade 
Organization and the multilateral trading system. We have actively participated in the Doha Round 
and post-Bali negotiations since the launching of the process in 2001, and hope to contribute to their conclusion and the achievement of an outcom e that fully takes into account the development 
dimension. 
2.68.  What is so significant and innovative about the progress achieved by the 
Dominican Republic during the period under review is that we have been able to match our words, ideas and good intentions with actions and tangible results. 
2.69.  Yet, it is important to point out that there are other factors which make this a truly key 
moment for our country. I am talking, in particular, about that intangible element which is extremely valuable in a globalized world: trust. 
2.70.  In the Dominican Republic, we have created a virtuous circle of trust, which is expanding in 
all directions: within the country, in our connections with the private sector and civil society, and in our relations with the rest of the world. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  2.71.  This circle of trust did not, of course, appear from nowhere. Citizens and domestic and 
international industries are always careful to maintain this state of affairs. 
2.72.  These signs of trust have encouraged foreign investors to strengthen the macroeconomic 
stability of our country in a risky and uncertain international market. Consequently, not only have 
incoming flows been maintained, but foreign direct investment has also increased. The total 
amount of FDI during the period under review al most tripled compared with the period 2002-2007 
covered by our previous trade policy review. The Dominican economy receives the largest flow of 
direct investment in the entire Caribbean region, and the second greatest in Central America, after 
Panama. 
2.73.  Our Government has succeeded in combining one of the highest economic growth rates in 
Latin America and the Caribbean with the widest extension of social rights that the 
Dominican Republic has seen so far. Yet, we did not achieve this alone. We have promoted 
ongoing dialogue with all sectors of our society.  Above all, we have fostered public-private 
alliances to make our development sustainable. And if this model is successful in our country and 
region we should continue to implement it. 
2.74.  We are sure that business opportunities are al ready transcending borders. And regardless of 
their size, enterprises are expanding and developing more and more in the direction of global 
markets. We are convinced that as our industry and our production sectors grow stronger, more 
jobs will be created and the lives of all Dominicans will improve. 
2.75.  We aware that many challenges lie ahead of us, and we will therefore work to overcome 
them. The results achieved in our country and the progress observed at international level confirm 
that we are on the right path. We will therefore continue to focus on building a more competitive 
country. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT 
3.1.  In preparing for this fourth Trade Policy Review  of the Dominican Republic, I browsed through 
several websites to know more about this beauti ful country. I read that in 1492, when Christopher 
Columbus sailed from Spain on his first voyage looking for a new trade route to Asia, he 
discovered a new continent. In 1496, he founded the first European settlement in the Western 
Hemisphere that is the Dominican Republic.  
3.2.  Five centuries to-date, the Dominican Republic prides itself as being the ninth largest 
economy in Latin America and the second largest economy in the Caribbean and Central American 
region. The country is primarily an exporter of su gar, coffee, and tobacco, but in recent years, the 
service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer, due to growth in 
tourism, telecommunications, and free-trade zones manufacturing. Remittances have also helped 
build foreign exchange reserves. 
3.3.  The current account of the Dominican Republic's balance of payments reports a structural 
deficit, which has been trending down since 2011 owing in part to the sharp growth in exports. 
Nearly half of the Dominican Republic's exports go to the United States, while Haiti, Western 
Europe and China are also significant markets. The Dominican Republic is among the top 50 economies on the ease of trading across borders according to the 2015 Doing Business Survey of 
the World Bank.  
3.4.  The growth of the Dominican Republic's econom y remained one of the fastest growing in the 
region in spite of a slowdown in 2008-2009 beca use of the global recession. From 2008 to 2014, 
the average annual rate reached 4.4%.  
3.5.  As discussant, I would like to discuss those covered during the review in 2008 and also cite 
improvements that happened over time.  
3.6.  Tariffs remained relatively low with an aver age MFN rate of 7.8% in 2014. For 54% of the 
tariff lines, the rate is zero. In 2014, the average MFN tariff for agricultural products (WTO 
definition) was 14.2%, while for manufacturers it was 6%. This is a result of the Dominican Republic's efforts in trade liberalization including its active participation in the WTO and in many 
regional trade agreements. This commitment to an open and fair trade in the multilateral trading 
system is best exemplified by the statement of the Vice Minister that "even if we are an island, we 
are not isolated". 
3.7.  During the review period, agriculture continued to  decline in relative importance. Its share of 
current GDP was 5.6% in 2014, as compared with 6.4% in 2008. The authorities have pointed out 
that this is consistent with the general pattern of the economy, where certain sectors, particularly those involving services, have performed very strongly, outpacing agriculture. Despite its smaller 
share of GDP, the importance of the agricultural  sector as a generator of employment increased 
during the review period. The sector continued to receive support through various measures, including an average tariff higher than that for the economy as a whole. 
3.8.  On trade facilitation, I recall that Members back in 2008 had submitted questions regarding 
customs procedures and valuation. Over the past six years, the Dominican Republic has adopted measures to facilitate trade, which included im provement of its risk management systems, the 
introduction of a computerized import clea rance process and the elimination of certain 
authorization requirements.  
3.9.  Since April 2012, import documents can be subm itted by Internet through the Integrated 
Customs Management System (SIGA). The SIGA will also include a Single Window for Foreign 
Trade (VUCE), which it is planned to introduce gradually and will offer services for goods import, 
export and transit procedures. We congratulate the Dominican Republic for this impressive performance in trade facilitation. As Chair of the Trade Facilitation Preparatory Committee, I take 
note of the statement delivered by the Vice Minist er that the Dominican Republic is already in the 
process of ratifying the Trade Facilitation Agreement and likewise it is also in the stages of setting up the National Trade Facilitation Committee. We welcome these developments. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  3.10.  On technical regulations, the Dominican Republic made substantial changes in 2012 to the 
way it drafted and administered its technical regulations and standards and its conformity 
assessment procedures. Under the responsibility of the different ministries, technical regulations must as far as possible be based on national or international standards.  
3.11.  It would be good to receive updates from the Dominican Republic on this issue since the 
new law has not yet been fully implemented, and its implementing rules and regulations have not yet entered into force.  
3.12.  On SPS, the Secretariat's report mentioned that principle laws on animal and plant health 
are old and antiquated and there is also a duplication of responsibilities of the authorities concerned in their implementation. Nonetheless, we note that the authorities have indicated that there are a number of draft legislation or laws to update these SPS standards. Members would 
certainly be interested to know progress in this area. 
3.13.  Free zones continue to play a leading role in the Dominican Republic's trade, accounting for 
52% of total exports and contributing 3.2% to the GDP in 2013. During the last review, the 
Dominican Republic clarified that the free zone incentive model had been an important instrument 
for the promotion of the export sector, contributing to the steady growth of exports, employment generation and technology transfer.  
3.14.  In 2013, an important development was the am endment of the free zone legislation to 
eliminate export performance requirements, that is, where tariff concessions and tax benefits were contingent upon the exportation of at least 80% of total production. Local content requirements w e r e  a l s o  a b o l i s h e d .  S a l e s  o n  t h e  d o m e s t i c  m a r k e t  o f  p r o d u c t s  f r o m  f r e e  z o n e s  a r e  n o  l o n g e r  
restricted, but are now subject to an additional "compensatory" tax which, from the initial rate of 
2.5%, was increased to its current rate of 3.5% in November 2012.  
3.15.  The Dominican Republic experienced a boom in foreign direct investment (FDI) during the 
period under review. The mining sector was the destination for 21.7% of FDI inflows, surpassed 
only by the commerce and industry sectors, whic h absorbed 24.4% of inward FDI in the period 
under review. This is a positive result of its opening up of almost all economic sectors to FDI and 
granting of national treatment. Modern policie s and laws have also been adopted since 1995 in 
areas such as intellectual property, land and environment. And according to the UNCTAD Investment Policy Review, closing major legal gaps  i n  t h e  i n v e s t m e n t  f r a m e w o r k ,  s u c h  a s  t h e  
enactment of a competition policy, can make the Dominican Republic the best-in-region. However, 
the current state of competition policy in the Domi nican Republic is an area where greater efforts 
are required.  
3.16.  Since the last review, the Dominican Republic has developed the National Plan for Systemic 
Competitiveness. In fact, during this period, al l efforts focused on implementing Law No. 42-08, 
the preparation of its implementing rules and regulations and the creation of the National 
Competition Commission (Pro Competencia).  
3.17.  In December 2014, the implementing rules an d regulations had already been drafted and 
put up for public consultations, but they had no t yet been finalized and approved. With all the 
necessary elements in place, the important thing to do is to get the competition authority up and running as soon as possible. It would be interesting for the Members to know how the Dominican 
Republic intends to move forward on the implementation of its new competition policy and law. 
3.18.  The power supply crisis in which the Dominican Republic remains immersed constitutes the 
main challenge for national economic development. In 2010, six out of every ten Dominican 
Republic businessmen believed that the electr icity issue was hampering their activities. The 
Government also continues to compensate the distribution companies (EDEs) for the operating deficit resulting from their high levels of energy losses.  
3.19.  Over the years, a number of plans have been drawn up for the modernization of the energy 
subsector. The current Electricity Sector Action Plan lays down various guidelines for the period 2010 to 2015, in particular, the simplification and more flexible application of the tariff system and 
the rationalization and targeting of subsidies given to this subsector.  WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  3.20.  It would be interesting to monitor how the Plan will eventually play out to improve the 
efficiency of distribution, eliminate non-targeted subsidies and underpin its financial viability, thereby reducing its burden on Government financ es. Here, I also take note of what the Vice 
Minister said that the Electricity Pact is one of the tripods of the National Development Strategy, a 
clear example to address this area. 
3.21.  Finally, during the last review, it was noted that the Dominican Republic's government 
procurement procedures have been modified to comply with the requirements of the CAFTA-DR. As 
a result, the process has become progressively more transparent, and most of the country's 
government procurement is now conducted on a competitive basis. A few Members naturally encouraged the Dominican Republic to join the GP A .  I t  w o u l d  b e  i n t e r e s t i n g  t o  h e a r  f r o m  t h e  
delegation the views of the Dominican Republic's in response to this topic since the last review.  
3.22.  In closing, I found this review very interesting and acknowledge the resiliency of the 
economy of the Dominican Republic in the face of challenges, both global and domestic.  
3.23.  I also cannot help but notice some similarities with the Philippines, particularly historical 
milestones, such as being under colonial control for the same duration of time, and authoritarian 
governments, among other things. 
3.24.  On a lighter note, the Philippines and the Dominican Republic also share the love for 
"chicharón", cigars, and rums made from sugar cane. Earlier, I mentioned about the Dominican 
Republic's tourism. Indeed, the Dominican Republic is the most visited destination in the Caribbean, so I hope I will have a chance to visit their famous beaches one of these days. And maybe even learn to dance the merengue or bachata. 
3.25.  Before I start daydreaming, please allow me to thank my good friend H.E. Ambassador Luis 
Manuel Piantini for the opportunity to be part of the Dominican Republic's trade policy review. It is a truly an honour and an excellent learning experience for us. I would also like to wish the head of 
delegation, the Honourable César R. Dargam Espaillat, Vice Minister of External Relations, and the 
rest of the delegation from the Dominican Republic a successful review.  WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS 
EUROPEAN  UNION 
4.1.  This is the Dominican Republic's fourth review and I would like to start by noting that the 
Dominican Republic seems to be very much moving in the right direction.  
4.2.  The last review of the Dominican Republic was in 2008. During the years under review, the 
country has achieved sustained economic growth, with relatively low inflation rates. The implementation of consistent fiscal and monetary policies explains the period of sustained 
expansion. The EU acknowledges the good macroeconomic management that enabled to 
adequately address external shocks. After remark able GDP growth of 7.3% in 2014, driven by 
strong activity in construction, mining, tourism and other services, expansion has continued in the first quarter of 2015.  
4.3.  The EU appreciates the objectives set out in the National Development Strategy 2030 
providing the key guidelines to the country's medium-and long-term economic policy, including trade policy. We are fully aware that these policies and measures are not easy to push through, 
but we can only encourage the Government to purs ue the good work and extend the liberalisation 
effort beyond the sectors affected to date. 
4.4.  A word on our bilateral relationship. The EU is the second trading partner of the Dominican 
Republic in terms of total trade exchanges, with position No. 2 in terms of EU imports into the 
country, after the United States, and position No. 4 in terms of Dominican Republic exports, after 
the United States, Haiti and Canada. The Dominican Republic is a signatory of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and the CA RIFORUM region. The country swiftly ratified 
the EPA and is the most advanced one in its implementation, benefitting, as consequence, from 
the application of the agreement in the entire Caribbean region. 
4.5.  Despite these positive aspects, the EU has a number of questions and concerns relating to 
Dominican Republic's trade and investment policy making.   
4.6.  As a general remark, while the legislation of the Dominican Republic is highly advanced as 
regards the various aspects of its trade policy, th e EU notes some difficulties with the practical 
implementation of the existing legislation.  
4.7.  Turning to the EU questions, let me stress that the issues we raised are considered and 
confirmed by EU operators as obstacles to trade. I will list only some of them: 
4.8.  First of all, Law 173, which regulates the contractual relationship between foreign companies 
supplying goods or services to the Dominican Republic and their local distributing agents, is 
perceived as a major impediment for the co mmercial activities of EU companies.  
4.9.  Secondly, we are concerned by the burdensome  sanitary registration procedures in the 
Dominican Republic. The procedures are very cost ly, time consuming and require the provision of 
disproportionally high quantity of documents. In  April 2015, a Presidential Decree has been issued, 
announcing a welcome simplification of the registration processes for pharmaceuticals, the goods 
category that until now has faced the highest access barriers into the market. While the details of 
that "simplification" have not been publicized yet, the EU wonders why it concerns only pharmaceutical and if there is an intention to extend the simplification to other areas.  
4.10.  Thirdly, in EU's view, more efforts are needed to increase the level of the legal security of 
the investments in the Dominican Republic.  
4.11.  Lastly, the EU would like to express its concerns on the fact that the competition authority, 
ProCompetencia, is not yet fully operational and, as confirmed by the Dominican authorities in 
their replies, is not yet fully capable of assuming any legal action. In this regard, the EU 
encourages the Dominican Republic to set up an adequately staffed and independent Competition authority. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  4.12.  Let me conclude by thanking the Dominican Republic for the responses to the questions we 
have previously submitted in writing. 
4.13.  On behalf of the EU, I look forward to a constructive exchange of views during this review. I 
wish the Dominican Republic delegation the utmost success during its Trade Policy Review. 
AUSTRALIA 
4.14.  Australia and the Dominican Republic enjoy a relatively modest trade relationship, with total 
bilateral trade of approximately $A 39 million in 2014. The emerging investment relationship 
between our two countries has the potential to grow . Recent growth has been driven by Australian 
mining companies, which, as part of their business model, are keen to promote best practice in sustainable mining. 
4.15.  Australia welcomes the sustained economic reform agenda adopted by successive 
governments and encourages the Dominican Republic to continue to promote economic growth 
through its current policy settings, while also reta ining a focus on inclusive growth to eradicate 
poverty.  
4.16.  Australia looks forward to continuing to work cooperatively with the Dominican Republic in 
forums in which we have a shared interest. This includes the Central American Integration System (SICA), of which Australia became an extra-terri torial observer in 2011. Australia supports the 
trade agenda of SICA and its work toward s closer regional economic integration. 
4.17.  Australia is disappointed the Dominican Republic is challenging Australia's tobacco plain 
packaging measure in WTO dispute settlement proceedings. Australia has implemented tobacco plain packaging as a legitimate public health measure. WTO Members have the right to take 
measures for the protection of public health.  
4.18.  The Dominican Republic stands to benefit considerably from reducing the costs of, and 
barriers to, trade. A significant step toward this goal would be implementation of the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement. We encourage the Dominican Republic to expedite its domestic ratification 
and implementation processes.   
4.19.  Australia is committed to assisting developing and least developed Members implement 
Trade Facilitation Agreement provisions. In addition to the $A 6 million Australia has committed to 
the World Bank's Trade Facilitation Support Program, we have recently contributed $A 1 million to the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility. These contributions, along with our bilateral trade facilitation programs and the contributions by other donor Members and Annex D organizations, 
should ensure that Members, such as the Dominican Republic, have any assistance they require to 
fully implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
4.20.  Australia submitted written questions on a number of issues, including foreign investment, 
technical regulations and agricultural policies. We thank the Dominican Republic for its responses, 
which we will examine alongside information gathered from this meeting. 
CANADA 
4.21.  In many respects, this is a good news story because, although the Dominican Republic was 
subjected to the same economic storms that ravaged others in the Caribbean region in 2008, it has proven to be very resilient, and is clearly on  a growth trajectory. Through a package of reform 
measures covering fiscal, monetary and investment policy, by most all measures the economy of 
the Dominican Republic is in a better place than it was in 2008. 
4.22.  Consider the following: in the period 2008-2014, the Government of the Dominican Republic 
reported that real GDP grew at an annual rate of 4.3%, the 7
th highest on average for Latin 
America, per capita GDP increased from US$5,180 in 2008 to US$6,480 in 2014. Possibly more 
importantly, the number of people living below the poverty line declined from 44.2% in 2008 to 35.8% in 2014, according to the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  4.23.  As highlighted in the Secretariat report, in the period under review, the Dominican Republic 
was the recipient of considerable Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) at an average of US$2.3 billion per year, with a spike in investment to US$3.1 billion in 2012 (UNCTAD). And the Dominican Republic has benefitted from this inflow of foreign investment in increasing its exports, in 
particular gold exports. Canada is among the top investors according to the Dominican Central 
Bank, with cumulative inflows of FDI from Cana da amounting to US$5.5 billion over the period 
1993-2013. Canadian business is active, primarily in the mining sector, but also in the financial, 
manufacturing and tourism sectors. However, although the Government of the Dominican Republic 
introduced a new "One-Stop Investment Facility" (VUI) in 2012 to streamline the formalities for FDI, and also has several agreements on "reciprocal investment promotion and protection", given the size of Canadian and other major country investment flows, we would encourage the 
Government to continue to improve its legal and regulatory investment regime to include a robust 
dispute settlement mechanism, consistent with international norms. Indeed, the Secretariat report notes the presence of investment restrictions in several sectors, a theme that Canada and several 
other Members have flagged in written questions. 
4.24.  Further, recent international reports such as  the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business 2014 
ranked the Dominican Republic 84 to 189 countries overall, with a ranking of 113 for starting a 
business, 119 for obtaining electricity and 158 for resolving insolvency. Similarly, the World 
Economic Forum's Competitiveness Index ranked th e Dominican Republic 101th of 144 countries in 
2014-15, compared to 98
th of 134 countries in 2008. And Transparency International, in its Global 
Corruption Perception Index of 2014, ranked the Dominican Republic 115 of 175 countries. This 
would indicate that although many important refo rms have been introduced, it will be important 
for attracting future investment to keep up the pace of these reforms. 
4.25.  Rightly, alongside investment, the Dominican Government sees trade reform as part of the 
larger picture of development. We are studying with close attention the National Development 
Strategy to 2030. Indeed, both the Secretariat and Government reports underline the importance 
of this strategy in providing key guidelines for the country's medium-and long term economic 
policy, including trade policy. We share the interest of other Members in learning more about this 
strategy, particularly as it relates to trade policy. 
4.26.  The National Development Strategy's three areas of focus, education, electricity and fiscal 
reform, will no doubt contribute to greater competitiveness. Student enrolment is already 
increasing significantly. There is widespread recognition that a cheap source of energy is essential 
for improving competitiveness, thus energy security is an important component of any competitiveness plan. We encourage the Dominican Republic to continue its search for renewable 
energy solutions that will also contribute to preserving the environment on which its tourism sector 
is so heavily dependent. The creation of a Minist ry of Energy and Mining  in 2013 should no doubt 
contribute to streamlining this process. While the recent fall in international oil prices has created a 
"breathing space" for economies such as the Do minican Republic, which rely heavily on carbon 
based energy production, we were very pleased to  note that the Dominican Republic has prudently 
settled its Petro Caribe debt of just over US$4 billion with the Venezuelan state oil company, ahead of schedule. 
4.27.  Although the Dominican Republic does no t participate in the WTO Agreement on 
Government Procurement, procedures have been mo dified to comply with the requirements of the 
Dominican Republic-Central America FTA (DR-CAFTA), its most important trade agreement. That 
said, there are a number of regulations such as "small business set asides" and public works 
contracts that favour nationals over foreign bidders. It is no surprise, therefore that the subject of government procurement has generated considerable interest and several questions from 
Members, including Canada. 
4.28.  In conclusion, we congratulate the Dominican Republic for its capacity to move forward 
through a period of difficult economic transitions, regionally and globally. We have submitted several questions in the areas I have highlighted, including government procurement policies, 
incentives for foreign direct investment and restrictions on foreign direct investment in certain 
sectors. We look forward to further engaging on these issues and others throughout our meetings 
this week. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  UNITED  STATES 
4.29.  The United States enjoys a close and growing trade and investment relationship with the 
Dominican Republic. We are the Dominican Republic's largest trading partner, and the Dominican Republic is the largest trading partner to the U.S. in the Caribbean Basin Region, with almost 
US$12.5 billion in two-way trade in goods in 2014. In 2014, U.S. goods exports to the Dominican 
Republic were US$8 billion, up 10.7% from the pr evious year. Similarly, the Dominican Republic 
exported US$4.5 billion in goods to the U.S. last year, up 6.1% from 2013.  
4.30.  The Dominican Republic's global trade regime and our bilateral trade relationship have 
undergone substantial and positive changes through the Dominican Republic's implementation of the Dominican Republic–Central America–United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) beginning in 2007. The Dominican Republic enacted substantial changes to its legislation as well as 
regulatory modifications, particularly in the areas of government procurement, 
telecommunications, intellectual property rights, and customs procedures. Both the Secretariat's and the Government's reports highlight the Domini can Republic's medium and long-term economic 
and trade policy. The United States particularly commends the Dominican Republic's focus on 
developing a regulatory environment that ensures a pro-competitive business climate, as well as the close coordination among relevant government ministries and agencies in the formulation and 
implementation of trade policies. 
4.31.  Further, both the Secretariat and the Government report that since the last Trade Policy 
Review in 2008, the Domini can Republic has achieved progress in  matters of trade facilitation, and 
this was highlighted in the Vice Minister's statement today. It has strengthened its risk 
management systems, introduced a computerized import clearance process, and eliminated 
particular authorization requirements. We are pleased that the Dominican Republic has demonstrated a firm commitment to the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, submitting its 
schedule A commitments, making progress in several TFA substantive areas and stating its 
intention to secure the necessary domestic authorization to ratify the TFA before MC10 in Nairobi.  
4.32.  While the Unites States applauds these positive efforts, we have concerns with certain 
aspects of the Dominican Republic's trade regime. Fo r example, with respect to trade in agriculture 
we are very concerned about lack of transparency and delays in issuance of import licenses. We also have concerns that "no-objection permits" issued by the Agriculture Ministry and required for animals and agriculture products, are not exclusively based on SPS grounds, but may be 
influenced by economic considerations.  
4.33.  Regarding intellectual property rights and developments since the last review period, we 
applaud the Dominican Republic's 2011 ratificati on of the WIPO Trademark Law Treaty, which 
streamlined procedures for registering trademarks. We also congratulate the Dominican Republic 
for approving the "National Strategy on Intellectual Property in the Dominican Republic" in 2013 in efforts to integrate intellectual property into the country's public policies and development plans. 
While we welcome these actions by the Dominican Republic and its recognition of the importance 
of protecting intellectual property rights, we remain concerned about shortcomings in practice and enforcement, such as the extremely long delays  f o r  t h e  r e v i e w  o f  p a t e n t  a p p l i c a t i o n s  a n d  
administrative delays in the marketing approval process for pharmaceutical products. We are also 
concerned by the widespread availability of pira ted and counterfeit goods, particularly by the 
prevalence of broadcast signal piracy. We have  submitted several specific questions and look 
forward to learning more about enforcement procedures and actions taken by the relevant 
government agencies.   
4.34.  Lastly, we note that, as in prior reviews and as highlighted by Ambassador Conejos, 
inefficiencies in the energy sector continue to be a primary challenge to the Dominican economy. 
Reliance on imported fossil fuels to generate electricity, subsidized consumption, and price controls 
burden government finances and dis-incentivize investment. We encourage the Dominican Republic to take steps to address this longstanding difficulty, while respecting international trade and investment commitments.   
4.35.  In conclusion, the United States will continue to work closely with the Dominican Republic 
bilaterally, and as a value partner here at the WTO. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  COLOMBIA 
4.36.  During the period under review, the Dominican economy recorded more stable economic 
growth than in the previous period, in spite of the global economic crisis. As noted in the Secretariat report, this can be explained by th e appropriate implementation of the structural 
adjustment programme following the agreement with the IMF in 2009. The programme included 
various reforms in the electricity, financial and monetary sectors, and the strengthening of public financial management. 
4.37.  Foreign trade has been dynamic, with a steady increase in imports and exports of goods and 
services. Despite the global crisis, tourism underwent only a slight decline in 2009, which was reversed the following year, and the figures continue to be positive. Tourism is the leading category of services exports and continues to be  the main source of foreign exchange, accounting 
for 9.2% of GDP and 6.3% of employment. Rega rding exports, the United States remains the 
principal destination of goods exports, although its share has decreased slightly. Exports to other 
destinations such as Haiti and Canada have risen significantly. 
4.38.  Nevertheless, the Dominican Republic faces various challenges which affect trade to a 
certain extent. As underscored in the Secretariat report and by Ambassador Conejos, one area in which greater efforts are required is competition policy. A competition authority was established in 
2009. However, in December 2014, it was still not operational. The competition authority has 
limited powers under the current legislation, and with no implementing regulations to the Law, there is no monitoring of unfair competition. 
4.39.  Another substantial challenge, highlighted by the Vice-Minister, Ambassador Conejos and 
several speakers before me, is the development of a sustainable electricity sector. Electricity 
supply is in a critical state. There are significant electricity losses and energy rationing is affecting the country's productivity and competitiveness. The Dominican Republic is implementing various 
programmes to offset the shortages in the electricity sector, yet, as mentioned in the Secretariat 
report, the authorities believe that more extensive future investment is required. This could be achieved by further easing access to the electr icity market, which the country has not changed 
since 2008, in order to encourage greater particip ation of and the channelling of more resources 
from the private sector. 
4.40.  Lastly, we acknowledge the efforts made by the Dominican Republic to fulfil its obligations 
and improve the multilateral trading system. This was demonstrated by the fact that one year ago, 
as mentioned by the Vice-Minister, the country notified the Preparatory Committee of Category A 
commitments under the Agreement on Trade Facilitation and is making headway with the ratification procedures. 
4.41.  We also emphasize that the Dominican Republic  has close ties with its preferential trade 
agreement partners, which account for around 62% of total trade. Our delegation therefore asked several questions on the steps and procedures for the negotiation, conclusion and implementation 
of a trade agreement, which has been of interest to my country for several years. 
4.42.  W e  e n c o u r a g e  t h e  D o m i n i c a n  R e p u b l i c  t o  c o n t i n u e  t o  p l a y  a n  a c t i v e  r o l e  i n  t h e  W T O ,  
particularly in the Doha Round negotiations, and wish it every success with its fourth trade policy review. 
BRAZIL 
4.43.  It is a matter of great satisfaction for Brazil to take part in the fourth TPR of the Dominican 
Republic, a country with which Brazil has maintained friendly relations for more than 100 years. 
4.44.  Brazil notes with satisfaction that the Dominican Republic quickly overcame the negative 
effects of the global financial crisis. In the peri od under review, the country's real gross domestic 
product (GDP) grew at an average annual rate of 4.4%, and IMF projections show that the 
economic expansion will continue at 4.5% annually in the biennium 2015-2016. 
4.45.  Inflation was kept under control, in parallel with very important developments in the social 
area including fundamental social inclusion: according to the Secretariat's report, unemployment is WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  expected to continue trending downwards, income  distribution has improved and extreme poverty 
is declining, from 12% in 2008 to 9% in 2014. That is certainly impressive. 
4.46.  Brazil congratulates the Dominican people for the economic and social results achieved in 
spite of an unfavourable international environm ent that prevailed during the period and is 
confident that the vitality shown by the country will  soon bear additional positive effects also on 
the fiscal front. 
4.47.  Brazil would like also to congratulate the Dominican Republic for the various measures 
adopted during the period under review to facili tate trade. These include improvements in the 
country's risk management system, the introduction of a computerized import clearance process and the elimination of various authorization requirements. SIGA, the Integrated Customs Management System, and the complementary Authorized Economic Operators regime will certainly 
contribute to make customs processes less costly and more time saving. 
4.48.  Turning now to our bilateral ties, let me stress the importance that Brazil attaches to our 
relations with the Dominican Republic, reflected, among others, by the visits of high level officials 
from both countries. Former President Leonel Fernández visited Brazil more than once since 2008 
and President Danilo Medina has also been in Brazil, first as candidate in 2011, and then as President, in 2012. Ambassador Mauro Vieira, our Minister of Foreign Affairs, has just returned 
from a very productive visit to the Dominican Republic in June 2015. 
4.49.  Brazil is a major partner of the Dominican Republic in investment and trade. Regarding 
investment, Brazil was the third source of foreign direct investment in the Dominican Republic in 2012, with a total amount of US$1.3 billion, in services sectors such as banking and air transport, 
and in the steel, beverage and shoes industries. These investments demonstrate our willingness to 
take long-term commitments in the Dominican Republic. 
4.50.  Bilateral trade flows in the period 2008-2014 reached a record US$508 million in 2012 and, 
after a 20% decrease for 2014, is growing again, with very positive estimates for 2015: trade 
grew 12.7% from January to May this year. 
4.51.  Brazil recognizes that the trade balance with the Dominican Republic has been historically 
favourable to Brazil. But it is worth noting that the Brazilian imports consist mostly of 
industrialized goods such as pharmaceutical products, electric machinery, and precision instruments. Also, if we consider the last 10 years, Brazilian imports from the Dominican Republic showed strong growth of 526%, increasing fr om US$3.5 million in 2005 to US$21.6 million in 
2014. 
4.52.  Even though we recognize that in general figures of bilateral trade are still modest, leaving 
much room for expansion, we would like to reiterat e our disposition and willingness to continue to 
work in a collaborative manner so that further expansion may accelerate and take place soon. 
MEXICO 4.53.  We could not agree more with our distinguished discussant, Ambassador Conejos, and the 
delegations that spoke before me, that the Dominican Republic has made great progress since the 
last review of its trade policy, and that, on the whole, it is on the right track. 
4.54.  We are pleased to note that the country has co ped well with the crisis since 2009, and that 
its economy grew at the not insignificant rate of 4.4% between 2008 and 2014, which had a 
positive impact on employment. There is no doubt that its fiscal and monetary policies were 
properly implemented. However, despite the fact that per capita income has remained stable and levels of extreme poverty have been reduced, 41%  of the country's population continue to live 
below the poverty line. As is the case for many other Latin American economies, poverty reduction 
remains one of the Dominican Republic's greatest challenges. We therefore have high hopes for the work, reforms and initiatives being carried out to this end by our Government, as outlined by 
Vice-Minister César Dargam, whom we thank for his excellent presentation. 
4.55.  We also agree that the issues of the country's electricity supply and its heavy reliance on 
imported fossil fuels need to be addressed promptly. We hope that all policies aimed at tackling WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  these problems, including the recent plans to convert the Dominican Republic's thermal power 
stations, have the desired effect. 
4.56.  Another challenge that we believe is significant is the strengthening of competition policy. 
Although a competition authority was created in 2009, it did not become full operational until 
December 2014. To support implementation of the law and the presence of an authority with full 
powers, corresponding regulations need to be issued. Mexico would like to know what action the Dominican Government plans to take to address this delay. 
4.57.  With respect to sectoral policies, we also note that the sectors that contribute the most to 
GDP are services, which accounted for 62.3% in 2014, with very good performance of the financial system despite its high degree of concentration, communications, and tourism, which continues to provide a large share of jobs and is the second largest source of hard currency in the country. 
However, the Dominican Republic has lost some of its international competitiveness in the services 
sector and we hope that this will be revived wi th the implementation of the National Systemic 
Competitiveness Plan and the National Development Strategy. 
4.58.  In the trade sphere, we note the implementati on of numerous trade facilitation measures. 
The Dominican Republic is therefore taking appropriate action to apply the provisions of the Trade Facilitation Agreement. In this connection, we also highlight the introduction of a pilot 
programme to establish the Single Window for Fore ign Trade. We hope that this programme will 
be successful and that it will lead to the permanent establishment of the Single Window. 
4.59.  As regards tariff policy, the Dominican Republic has a commendable, relatively low average 
MFN applied tariff, and 54% of its tariff lines are zero-rated, as mentioned earlier. Nonetheless, we 
would like to point out that it also applies MFN tariffs higher than the bound rates on 63 tariff lines 
that include certain agricultural products. 
4.60.  On technical regulations, we note the changes made in 2012 to the way in which the 
Dominican Republic drafts and administers its technical regulations and standards and its 
conformity assessment procedures. Mexico would like  be informed as to when the new law and the 
corresponding regulations will fully enter into force. 
4.61.  We would also like to receive further information on the legislative changes planned with 
regard to sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and on the responsibilities of the authorities 
involved. 
4.62.  I would like to conclude by thanking the Dominican Government for its responses to the 
questions raised by my delegation, which we sha ll examine carefully, and by drawing attention to 
the active role played by the delegation of the Dominican Republic, led by Ambassador Piantini, in 
the work of this Organization. We wish the entire delegation here the best of success in this trade 
policy review. Thank you. 
COSTA
 RICA 
4.63.  On behalf of my delegation, I would like to acknowledge the efforts made by the 
Dominican Republic during the period under review to successfully withstand the global financial 
crisis and strengthen its economy, by means of an open trade policy and the implementation of 
the efficient fiscal reforms set out in the National Development Strategy 2030. 
4.64.  The Dominican Republic is Costa Rica's main trading partner in the Caribbean. Over the last 
decade, bilateral trade has grown at an average ra te of 14.2% and this trend has positioned the 
Dominican market as the main destination of Costa Rican exports in the Caribbean islands. Furthermore, imports from the Dominican Republic have increased by 15% per year. In addition to 
the free trade agreement between the Dominican Repu blic and Central America, we also share the 
benefits and commitments under the CAFTA-DR. 
4.65.  The Dominican Republic has used its strategic position in the Caribbean Sea to strengthen 
its economy, thus significantly boosting its services sector, in particular tourism, communications 
and logistics. It has also wisely promoted foreign investment by facilitating the establishment of enterprises and creating a favourable business climate, particularly though the implementation of WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  the Investment Single Window. In the same vein, the country has made considerable efforts to 
simplify procedures and reduce time and trade costs in customs transactions for physical persons and enterprises. However, there is still a long way to go, especially in terms of the pending entry into operation of the Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE). We hope that the 
Dominican Republic will strengthen these actions by promptly adopting the Agreement on 
Trade Facilitation. 
4.66.  On the other hand, we understand the challenges facing the Dominican economy. The 
free-zone regime, for example, which is the main programme for export promotion, has 
experienced a minor slowdown in recent years, desp ite the increase in the number of enterprises, 
jobs and investments. Micro, small and medium -sized enterprises require greater attention, 
particularly regarding the implementation of the funds established by law to support and finance 
them. The country's overriding challenge is, un doubtedly, generating electricity and meeting 
energy demands. In this regard, we note with intere st the role that the private sector could play in 
strengthening this sector through public-private alliances, thereby contributing to the 
competitiveness of private enterprises. We would like further information on the initiatives being 
carried out to generate renewable energy and on how they can support the private sector and foster foreign investment in this area. 
4.67.  Lastly, we would like to thank the Dominican Republic for its replies to our previous 
questions, which will be examined in detail in our capital. 
GUATEMALA 4.68.  Historically, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic have maintained a very close 
relationship, which is based on strong bonds of friendship and cooperation in a wide variety of 
areas on our bilateral and regional agenda. This was evidenced by the full incorporation of the 
Dominican Republic into the Central American In tegration System (SICA). In the early 1990s, the 
Dominican Republic joined SICA as an observer. In 2003, it acquired the status of Associate State, 
and in June 2013, it was admitted as a SICA Member State. This process was paramount for strengthening regional integration and collectively establishing social policies at regional level, in 
addition to programmes and projects aimed at improving living conditions for the citizens of our 
countries. 
4.69.  The Dominican Republic's full SICA membership has also been very important in enhancing 
our close trade relations. These are governed  by the Free Trade Agreement between the 
Dominican Republic and Central America, which has been in force since the year 2000, and by the 
Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Central America and the Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR), which entered into force for Guatemala in July 2006. 
4.70.  Both agreements have been significantly beneficial and have supported the strong and 
sustained growth of our trade. They have also helped reduce transaction costs, create greater 
legal certainty for investment, and consolidate efforts to achieve greater diversification and 
continuous improvement of the qualit y of regional goods and services. 
4.71.  Between 2001 and 2013, the trade balance betw een Guatemala and the Dominican Republic 
recorded an average annual increase of over 20 %, climbing from a total of US$27.95 million in 
2001 to US$253.76 million in 2013. According to the figures for 2014, Guatemala's main exports 
to the Dominican Republic were detergent and soap, pharmaceutical products, sugars and sugar 
confectionery, and perfumery, plastics and plas tic products. Guatemala's main imports from the 
Dominican Republic are petroleum derivatives, pharmaceutical products and plastics and plastic 
products. 
4.72.  As regards the trade policy review under examination today, we note the strong growth of 
Dominican exports. As indicated in the Secretariat report, exports increased at an average annual 
rate of 12.4% during the period 2009-2014. We also greatly welcome the implementation of the 
National Development Strategy 2030, as according to the report, it promotes continuous interaction between the government agencies dealing with trade issues, and therefore fosters and facilitates the development of harmonized trade policies. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  4.73.  Other significant positive aspects worthy of mention are the implementation of various trade 
facilitation measures such as the integration of the Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE) and the successful strategy developed to attract fore ign direct investment. Yet, we note that the 
Dominican Republic faces short-term challenges such as moving forward with the modernization of 
the electricity sector and continuing efforts to diversify exports. 
4.74.  We take this opportunity to thank the Dominican Republic for its responses to the questions 
raised by Guatemala. However, we note that on e question has not been answered. We would very 
much appreciate it if further information could be provided in this regard. Although the issue raised 
is not mentioned explicitly in the Secretariat report, we believe that it concerns a trade policy-related matter. 
4.75.  We recognize the efforts made by the Domini can Republic during the review period and 
hope that the delegation representing the country today will successfully conclude this fourth trade 
policy review. 
REPUBLIC
 OF KOREA 
4.76.  I am pleased to note that Korea and the Dominican Republic have expanded their trade 
relations over the years, with bilateral trade reaching US$348 million in 2014. With respect to FDI, Korea's investment to the Dominican Republic amounted to US$4.2 million in 2014. Taking these 
numbers into account, Korea indeed hopes that its economic partnership with the Dominican 
Republic will continue to grow and develop in the future. 
4.77.  Turning to the Dominican economy's overall performance, I wish to note that, as the 
Secretariat report mentioned, it has been successf ul in overcoming the global crisis. Following the 
financial crisis, the Government was quick to respond with the necessary fiscal and monetary 
policies to stabilize the economy. Accordingly, the Dominican economy grew rapidly during the review period as the average annual growth rate reached 4.4%, per capita income grew steadily 
and inward FDI increased nearly 250% compared to the previous review period.  
4.78.  In particular, Korea would like to commend the Dominican Republic for remaining open to 
the multilateral trading system instead of falling back on protectionism, a "temptation" that history 
tells us has dire consequences. Specifically, trade flows of goods and services accounted for 
approximately two thirds of GDP and tariffs remained  relatively low, with an average MFN rate of 
7.8% in 2014. 
4.79.  We wish to note that the Dominican open economy has been supplemented by efforts to 
facilitate trade including the improvement of its risk management systems, the introduction of a 
computerized import clearance process and the elimination of some authorization requirements. It is clear that the Dominican Republic has been paving the road for further future success and it will 
be a pleasure for the entire WTO body  to see such efforts bear fruits. 
4.80.  Korea also appreciates the procedural reforms undertaken by the Government of the 
Dominican Republic to improve the management of procurement operations. However, we find 
there is still progress to be made towards enhancing transparency and promoting competition. 
According to the current regulations, foreign companies may take part in public works contracts only if they are associated with a Dominican national or if their capital is jointly held. Although the Dominican Republic is not a signatory to the GPA, we encourage it to adopt international standards 
so as to ensure fair and transparent procurement practices. 
4.81.  It is also our hope that the Dominican Republic will continue to actively participate in helping 
not only strengthen the WTO multilateral tradin g system as a whole, but also advance the DDA 
negotiations. With this, I would like to conclude by expressing my sincere appreciation to the 
Dominican delegation for its hard work and wish the Dominican Republic every success in its TPR.  
TRINIDAD
 AND  TOBAGO 
4.82.  My delegation is pleased to participate in this the fourth Trade Policy Review of the 
Dominican Republic, and at the outset, wishes to recognize Ambassador Piantini's active participation in the work of the WTO in his role as Permanent Representative. In this context, I WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  make special mention of his Chairmanship of the Informal Group of Developing Countries (IGDC). 
During his Chairmanship of the Group, Ambassador Piantini has, inter alia , allowed the IGDC to be 
a forum for discussion on a range of issues th at are pertinent to developing countries.  
4.83.  My delegation also acknowledges the constructive role our colleagues from the Dominican 
Republic play in seeking and securing the interests of small, vulnerable economies in the DDA 
negotiations.   
4.84.  I turn now to the Dominican Republic's impressive macroeconomic performance during the 
period under review. While the economies of seve ral WTO Members were severely impacted by the 
global economic crisis, the Dominican Republic's  economy experienced rapid growth during the 
period 2008-2014. As the Secretariat notes in its report, "the growth achieved in the period under review was impressive given the problematic international backdrop, which included a global 
financial crisis with advers e effects on exports".   
4.85.  However, my delegation has noted that notwithstanding its impressive growth and a per 
capita GDP exceeding US$6,000, the Do minican Republic is still plagued by a relatively high rate of 
poverty and inequality. The WTO Secretariat quotes World Bank statistics which indicate that 
41.1% of the Dominican Republic's population is living below the poverty line. With this in mind, it is our hope that the trade, investment and other development policies contained in the National 
Development Strategy 2030 strengthen the basis for lifting those currently living in poverty out of 
it and thus be conducive to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, shortly to be 
launched in the fall of this year.  
4.86.  Trinidad and Tobago took positive note of the fact that for the Government of the Dominican 
Republic "revitalizing the agricultural sector is necessary in order to drive growth and alleviate 
poverty". It is commendable that in spite of the sector's relatively small share of GDP, the Dominican Republic, having recognized agriculture's importance as a generator of employment, 
particularly in the rural communities, has prioritized improving the agriculture sector's productivity 
and competitiveness, as a key component of its trade and development strategy.  
4.87.  Also noteworthy is the major contribution of the services sectors to the country's GDP. Over 
the years, tourism has also grown to become one of the Dominican Republic's most important 
sources of income.   
4.88.  My delegation hopes that the role that services, including e-commerce, can play in boosting 
the contribution of the agriculture sector to national income, both in terms of value and volume, 
would not be overlooked. 
4.89.  In relation to its trade policies and practices, one cannot help but be impressed by the fact 
that according to the World Bank's "Doing Business" global indicator for the 2014-2015 period, the 
Dominican Republic earned a high score under the "Trading Across Borders" heading. Here it ranks 
24th out of 189 countries considered. It ranks second in Latin America to Panama. This enviable performance is no doubt due in part to the range of measures implemented during the period 
under review to upgrade formalities and procedures relating to border customs management and 
trade facilitation.   
4.90.  Complementing these trade-facilitating measures  is a regime of relatively low tariffs.  
4.91.  Trinidad and Tobago welcomes and congratulates the Dominican Republic in its efforts 
during the period under review, to satisfy it s WTO obligations, in particular, fulfilling its 
notifications Requirements. The Secretariat notes that during the period 2008-2014, the Dominican Republic made considerable improvements in terms of notification. However, the 
Secretariat has also indicated that in spite of this improvement, in January 2015, a number of 
notifications remained pending. With this in mind, my delegation wishes to encourage the Dominican Republic to intensify its efforts at notification, since notifications are an important 
means to ensure the transparency and predictability of its trade regime.   
4.92.  Another issue of concern for my delegation relates to sanitary and phytosanitary measures. 
We've noted the Secretariat's observation that the principal laws on animal and plant health are 
outdated and that there is a duplication of responsi bilities of each of the authorities concerned. We WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  hope that the Dominican Republic would make ev ery effort to implement new laws and in the 
process, rationalize the performance of these important functions through the removal of unnecessary and costly bureaucratic measures. 
4.93.  Turning briefly to our bilateral and economic relations, diplomatic relations between our two 
countries were established in 1968. Our countries enjoy strong trade and economic relations; this 
relationship is strengthened by the existence of the Trinidad and Tobago/Dominican Republic Chamber of Commerce, which was established in 1998. Since then, Trinidad and Tobago has a 
favourable balance of trade with the Dominican Re public with our top exports including liquefied 
natural gas and gas oil. In the recent past, both our countries expressed interest in strengthening economic and political ties.   
4.94.  My delegation also noted with interest the Dominican Republic's stated commitment to 
deepening its economic integration with the countries of the Caribbean Region, and the 
formulation in October 2014, of a Joint Investment Promotion Strategy with Haiti, to this end. The aim of this initiative must be highlighted: to attract FDI to Haiti and the Dominican Republic and 
increase the number, value and socio-economic impact of foreign direct investment projects in 
both countries.  
4.95.  It is with this in mind that my delegation hopes that other branches of the Government of 
the Dominican Republic would show flexibility in another important sphere, in order to safeguard 
the socio-economic interests of individuals born in the Dominican Republic of Haitian descent.  
4.96.  In conclusion, I wish to once again to commend Ambassador Piantini and his team here in 
Geneva for their excellent work and I wish the Dominican Republic a successful trade policy 
review. 
ECUADOR 4.97.  Ecuador is greatly interested in this trade policy review and welcomes the fact that the 
Dominican economy grew at an average annual ra te of 4.4% in the pe riod 2008-2014, during 
which the lowering of inflation was especially significant as a result of policies based on an inflation-targeting scheme implemented by the Government through the Central Bank. 
4.98.  Ecuador congratulates the Dominican Government for its appropriate use of monetary, 
exchange-rate and financial policies to stabilize prices, which, together with sound management of public finances and improved tax administration, made it possible to maintain a remarkably low rate of inflation in 2014. 
4.99.  In addition, the Government has also implemented social policies that complement its trade 
policy, as evidenced by its public investment proj ects and the strengthening of the social security 
network. 
4.100.  It is also important to mention the role played by family remittances from Dominican 
nationals abroad, which are a source of economic support for the country. 
4.101.  Ecuador welcomes the measures adopted by the Dominican Republic. Indeed, as 
highlighted in the Secretariat report, the country has an open economy with trade flows of goods 
and services accounting for around two thirds of GDP. Furthermore, it has a surplus on the balance of trade in services, which has been growing since 2010, owing primarily to an increase in tourism income, which has offset outgoings in respect of freight and insurance. 
4.102.  Ecuador also welcomes the medium- and long-term implementation of the 
Dominican Republic's National Development Strategy 2030, which contains important economic and trade policy guidelines aimed, among othe r things, at promoting export development; 
attracting employment-generating investment; monitoring the country's trade agreements; and 
developing a regulatory framework that ensures a pro-competitive business climate. 
4.103.  Turning to trade facilitation, my country acknowledges the progress achieved in recent 
years, with the Government adopting rules to improve risk management, introducing a 
computerized import clearance process and doing away with certain authorization requirements. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  These measures will enable the Dominican Repub lic to simplify a whole number of procedures. 
Both reports indicate that, since April 2012, documents have to be submitted electronically through the Integrated Customs Management Syst em (SIGA), which will also include a Single 
Window for Foreign Trade. Another point worthy of mention is that the Dominican Republic notified 
the Category A measures of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement a year ago. 
4.104.  As indicated in the Secretariat report, one of the programmes aimed at boosting the 
country's export sector is Proindustria, which seeks to develop Dominican industry. My delegation 
commends the Dominican Government for its trade promotion efforts. 
4.105.  I should like to emphasize that, in a move to  establish stronger and closer trade relations 
for their mutual benefit, the Governments of the Dominican Republic and Ecuador have agreed to set up a Joint Feasibility Study Group with a view to deepening economic and trade relations. The 
conclusions reached by the Group will enable th e authorities of both governments to reach a 
decision on signing a trade agreement covering issues such as investment promotion and greater cooperation in all areas of interest to the two parties. 
4.106.  To conclude, we thank the delegation of the Dominican Republic for its replies to the 
questions we submitted through the Secretariat on  certain aspects of the country's trade policy, 
which will provide important inputs for strengthening bilateral relations in the area of foreign 
trade. 
EL
 SALVADOR 
4.107.  We are pleased to note from the Secretariat report that the Dominican Republic has been 
relatively successful in overcoming the global crisis, that the economy began to recover in 2010 
thanks to expansionary monetary and fiscal polici es and that, overall, the economy grew rapidly, 
at an average annual rate of 4.4%, during the period 2008-2014. Fiscal policy was more restrictive after 2012 and a tax reform was introduced, which helped to contain the fiscal deficit. Although 
the current account of the balance of payments reports a structural deficit, this has been trending 
downwards since 2011, partly as a result of sharp export growth. 
4.108.  We have also noted the Dominican Government's efforts over the past six years, during 
which it adopted trade facilitation measures including the improvement of its risk management 
systems, the introduction of a computerized import clearance process and the elimination of certain authorization requirements. Since April 2012, import documents have to be submitted electronically through the Integrated Customs Management System (SIGA), which will also 
comprise a Single Window for Foreign Trade. The latter is due to be introduced gradually and will 
offer services for goods import, export and transit procedures. 
4.109.  Although the country still faces specific challenges, such as putting its competition 
regulatory authority into operation, we take a very favourable overall view of the performance and 
openness of the Dominican economy, guided by its National Development Strategy 2030, which 
clearly defines its policy guidelines. We also em phasize the close coordination among the various 
government authorities, which will undoubtedly help the country achieve its objectives and 
contribute to the effectiveness of its trade policy measures. 
4.110.  As regards the country's sectoral policies, we were interested to note the programme 
aimed at revitalizing the agricultural sector, which is the primary source of employment in rural 
areas, where most of the country's poor househol ds are located. Although its share of GDP has 
declined because of the emergence and growth of other sectors, the agricultural sector has also 
expanded and is one of the Dominican Government 's priorities under the National Development 
Strategy 2030. As indicated in the Government report, the United Nations Food and Agriculture 
Organization (FAO) has singled out this programme as a model to be replicated in other countries. This is what prompted our interest and our wish to express well deserved congratulations to the 
Dominican Government through its distinguished representatives. 
4.111.  On a bilateral level, El Salvador has maintained close trade and cooperation links with the 
Dominican Republic for several decades. Those histor ical ties were strengthened by the entry into 
force of the free trade agreement between the two countries in 2001. Both our countries are WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  members of the Central American Integration System (SICA) and share common foreign policy 
objectives such as respect for democracy, co nsolidation of peace and regional security. 
4.112.  In trade terms, the Dominican Republic ranks third among El Salvador's export 
destinations, after the United States and Central America. It also ranks high among El Salvador's 
suppliers of goods, which shows the country's commercial importance. 
4.113.  Total bilateral trade amounted to US$91 million in 2014. El Salvador's exports to the 
Dominican Republic mainly consist of plastic products, juices and nectars, knitted garments, 
aluminium products, pharmaceuticals and confectionery, while Dominican exports to El Salvador 
chiefly include oils, propane gas, alkyd resins, and paper and paperboard products. 
4.114.  Just like El Salvador, the Dominican Republic has been taking an active part, within the 
Group of Small, Vulnerable Economies, in the multilateral negotiations under way at the WTO, 
promoting and advocating rules which take into account our concerns and enable our countries to 
achieve real and effective gains and integration in international trade. In this connection, we highlight the role played by Ambassador Piantini and his team in Geneva. 
THAILAND 
4.115.  Thailand has a cordial trade relation with the Dominican Republic. In 2014, the Dominican 
Republic ranked and has a bilateral trade value of over US$117 million. With exports and imports 
valued at US$95.76 million and US$21.41 million respectively in 2014.  
4.116.  The bilateral trade between Thailand and the Dominican Republic maybe considerably 
small and somewhat volatile, there is great potential in trade to be explored. We believe that for exports, such potential exist in rubber, proces sed food products, automotives, machineries, 
plastics, and chemical products. While plastics, el ectric machineries, medical equipment, and steel 
are considered high-potential imports.   
4.117.  We would like to congratulate the Dominican Republic on its wonderful economic 
performance as its economy grew rapidly at an average annual rate of 4.4% between 2008 and 
2014.  
4.118.  Thailand would also like to commend the Dominican Republic for the notification of the 
Category A measures of the WT O Trade Facilitation Ag reement in July 2014. Moreover, other 
significant progress in trade facilitation were also made during the review period as the Dominican Republic adopted measures such as the improvement of its risk management systems and the introduction of a computerized import clearance process.  
4.119.  In this review, Thailand submitted several questions to the Dominican Republic, covering, 
among others, the requirement that a foreign company must be associated with to Dominican micro, small and medium enterprises in order to participate in government procurement and the 
criteria for the determination of the price band and release prices for rice under the National Rice 
Pledging Programme. 
4.120.  We look forward to receiving the Dominican Re public's response in due course and will 
study them in detail with great interest.  
4.121.  In conclusion, Thailand would like to expre ss our appreciation to the delegation of the 
Dominican Republic for today's presentation. We are thankful for the cooperation with the Dominican Republic in both Geneva-based and Capital-based levels. We wish the Dominican 
Republic every success in this fourth trade policy review. 
CHILE 4.122.  Considering the characteristics of its economy and the adverse international climate 
marked by the financial crisis, the Dominican Republ ic recorded relatively high growth rates during 
the review period. 
4.123.  Few countries were in a position to make si gnificant progress in such difficult times. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  4.124.  Since the previous review of its trade policy, the Dominican Republic has undertaken a 
number of economic reforms, in line with a policy aimed at trade liberalization and increasing competitiveness levels. A point worthy of mention is the implementation of a Single Window for Foreign Trade. 
4.125.  As regards sanitary and phytosanitary measures, the Government report states that the 
Dominican Republic has made significant headway with its notifications (82 to date). 
4.126.  We would also like to highlight two major initiatives adopted during the review period. 
4.127.  First, the National Development Strategy 2030 and its three pillars, that is, the Education 
Pact, the Electricity Pact, and the Fiscal Pact. Each  area is essential to achieve sustainable and 
inclusive economic and social development. 
4.128.  Chile agrees that all three pillars need to be strengthened. The first two, education and 
energy, are part of the agenda of reforms driven  by the Chilean Government over the past year. 
4.129.  Second, we emphasize the constitutional recognition of intellectual property rights as 
regards works, inventions, innovation, appellations, trademarks, distinctive signs and other 
products of the human intellect. 
4.130.  This consolidates understanding and recognition of the importance of intellectual property 
from an economic and cultural st andpoint. The promotion and protection of intellectual property 
rights is a permanent and growing global phenomen on that requires active participation on the 
part of governments in reconciling the interests of all parties, for the common good. 
4.131.  As regards the Dominican Republic's policy for the negotiation of bilateral investment 
agreements, we would be interested to know more about the specific underlying guidelines and the 
Government's assessment of the current system, as well as the reasons that prompted it to 
conduct the related review process. 
4.132.  Our diplomatic relations date back to 1867 and have remained uninterrupted ever since. 
Our trade is still fairly modest in volume terms but it is diversified, ranging from precious metals to 
agricultural goods and medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances. 
4.133.  Added to the fact that we share the same language, culture and geopolitical space, all of 
the above shows that Chile and the Dominican Republic  still have a lot of ground to gain in terms 
of their future ties. 
4.134.  We are therefore interested in further developing our economic, trade and cooperation 
relations. We also reaffirm our interest in signin g a free trade agreement. This would enable us to 
channel common efforts and provide a formal framework in which to boost the synergies that drive 
a successful project. 
THE
 SEPARATE  CUSTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU 
4.135.  From the report of the Dominican Republic, we can see clearly that its economy grew 
rapidly during the period from 2008-2014 with th e average annual rate of 4.4%.According to the 
World Bank Group's Doing business report 2015, the Dominican Republic along with Jamaica and 
Trinidad and Tobago featured among the countries  that implemented the most reforms in Latin 
America, which makes it easier for local entrepreneurs to do business.  
4.136.  The Dominican Republic has an open economy. The trade flows of goods and services 
account for almost two thirds of the GDP. Attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is 
continuously to be an important and crucial poli cy to achieve its development goal and secure a 
competitive role for the country in the world economy. To boost its economy, in recent decades, the country has made the attempts to transform its economic base and diversify its exports. We 
commend the Dominican Republic, in particular, on its "National Development Strategy 2030" 
issued in April 2014, which has shown the guidelin es to promote country's export development and 
higher levels of investment in high-valued-added and job-creating activities. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  4.137.  However, from the reports we can see the Dominican Republic has met crucial challenges, 
in particular the electricity supply crisis. The country depends highly on imported fossil fuels to generate electricity. The frozen electricity tariffs, high levels of power losses and the lack of investment have resulted in the crisis of the en ergy sector. We encourage the country to keep on 
reforms on the basis of the "Electricity Sect or Action Plan" and look forward to possible 
cooperation in efforts to boost renewable energy production. 
4.138.  The Dominican Republic has been a founding Member of the WTO since March 1995 and an 
important participant in the regular work of the WTO. The country has taken an active part in the 
Doha Development Round negotiations and in the recent agreements reached at the Bali Ministerial Conference. We are pleased to see the country continuing to commit to strengthening 
the multilateral trading system. 
4.139.  Bilaterally, my Government attaches great importance to our bilateral relationship with the 
Dominican Republic. Our president Ma just visited Santo Domingo last week and received a warm welcome from the government officials. He addr essed the relations between two countries were 
going from strength to strength and confirmed the cooperative ties continuously.  
4.140.  Since 1963, our Government has set up a technical mission of agriculture to help the local 
people to diversity the crops and food production. And since 2000, we set up another technical 
mission of industry to help develop the textile industry, woods and furniture industry, as well as 
metal and electronic and plastic production industry. Other technical cooperation, such as aquaculture project, bamboo craft project, fruit seedling Propagation and Farmer's organization 
project, as well as the Industrial Technology (IT) Project have been completed and won the 
significant results. We look forward to strengthen the above mentioned cooperation in the future. 
INDIA 4.141.  During the period under review, the real GDP of the Dominican Republic has grown by an 
annual average rate of 4.4%, which is commendable. The prudent fiscal and monetary policy 
measures to counter the lingering effects of the international financial crisis have been helpful in stabilizing the economic cycle and maintaining a positive growth momentum. The outlook for the 
economy remains positive, with real GDP expected to grow by about 4.5% in 2015. The "National 
Development Strategy 2030" document of the Dominican Republic lays down key guidelines to country's medium and long term economic growth . Its main objectives include promoting export 
development, encouraging investments in high value added and job creating activities, and 
maintaining a competitive business climate. The National Development Strategy also aims to focus 
in the areas of education, energy and fiscal management. We wish the Dominican Republic every success in confronting challenges facing its economy and achieving sustained economic growth and 
improving the well-being of its peoples. 
4.142.  As noted in the Secretariat report, the Dominican Republic continues to maintain an open 
economy, progressively liberalizing its trade policy regime autonomously and making it easier for 
doing business. We appreciate efforts made by the Dominican Republic to further upgrade 
procedures relating to border customs management and trade facilitation, including introduction of Integrated Customs Management System in 2009. We note that in 2012, the Government has made substantive changes in the legal framework relating to technical regulations, standards, and 
conformity assessment procedures. It would be useful to understand when the Government 
expects to complete its work on implementing regulations in this area. 
4.143.  India and the Dominican Republic enjoy cordial bilateral relations. Our bilateral trade has 
been steadily growing from a level of abou t US$100 million in 2011-12 to US$140 million in 
2013-14. We look forward to working with the Government of the Dominican Republic to further strengthen bilateral trade and economic linkages. 
URUGUAY 
4.144.  In this brief statement, Uruguay wishes to congratulate the Dominican Republic for its 
growth over the review period, which was higher  than the average for Latin American in an 
unfavourable international environment. Such perfor mance was due in large part to the package of WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  fiscal and monetary policy measures adopted to cushion the impact of the global crisis and enable 
the economy to recover its growth potential. 
4.145.  Our country has excellent relations with the Dominican Republic in the political, economic, 
trade, cultural and cooperation spheres. 
4.146.  As regards trade relations, statistics for recent  years indicate that our trade is trending 
upwards. Our main imports have traditionally been dosed medicines and pharmaceutical preparations and goods. In the first six months  of this year, imports of recovered paper and 
paperboard amounted to some US$380,000, outpacing medicines and pharmaceuticals. Uruguay's 
leading exports to the Dominican Republic are dosed medicines, organic surface-active agents and other rubber (unvulcanized), in primary forms or in plates. 
4.147.  We believe that we can and would therefore like to further expand our bilateral trade. We 
are also interested in cooperating in complementary sectors (such as the medicines sector) and in 
exporting other products with higher-than-usual industrial value added. 
4.148.  Lastly, my delegation wishes to emphasize our countries' mutual interest in reaching a 
prompt and successful conclusion to the Doha Development Round, so that we have tangible and 
practical results to take with us to the next Ministerial Conference. 
ARGENTINA 
4.149.  The Dominican Republic has been making major progress since the previous review of its 
trade policy. 
4.150.  At the macroeconomic level, we note from the Secretariat report that the 
Dominican Republic's GDP grew at an average annu al rate of 4.4% over the period 2008-2014, in 
spite of the international crisis. 
4.151.  Thanks to the measures adopted since end-2012, the Government has succeeded in 
containing inflation and the fiscal deficit. 
4.152.  The Dominican Republic has an open economy with goods and services trade flows 
accounting for around two thirds of GDP. Goods exports grew significantly between 2009 and 2014. Trade in services posted positive figures in the period 2008-2014 and a surplus of over 
US$4 billion in 2014. Robust growth in goods exports and tourism income reduced the current 
account deficit from 6.6% of GDP in 2012 to 3.1% by end-2014. 
4.153.  As regards the structure of the Dominican tariff, we note that it did not change significantly 
over the review period and remains relatively low, standing at 0% for more than 50% of tariff 
lines. Although the average MFN tariff was 7.8% in  2014, for agricultural products it was as high 
as 14.2%. 
4.154.  The Dominican Republic is an original Member of the WTO and takes an active part in the 
work of the Organization and in the Doha Round negotiations. 
4.155.  As regards our bilateral relations, Argentina and the Dominican Republic enjoy friendly ties 
and hold the same views in many areas. Both countries belong to the following regional forums: 
the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Economic Commission for 
Latin America (ECLAC), the Latin American Econ omic System (SELA), and the Inter-American 
Development Bank (IDB). 
4.156.  Our bilateral trade is modest. In 2014, Arge ntina's exports totalled US$125.4 million, while 
imports amounted to US$3.3 million. Between January and March 2015, Argentine exports were 
worth US$25.7 million (a 101% increase over the same period the previous year), chiefly as a result of higher sales of grain corn, soya bean oil and milk. 
4.157.  There is unquestionably room for expanding our bilateral trade. In this connection, we 
would like to point out that, at the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Central American Integration System (SICA) in Belize on 17 December 2014, the SICA's General WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  Secretariat received a MERCOSUR proposal for a framework partnership agreement between the 
two blocs. 
PARAGUAY 4.158.  We welcome the Dominican Republic's participation in this exercise, at a time when its 
economy is performing well and is overcoming the obstacles created by the recent international 
financial crisis. 
4.159.  As all of us here know, the Dominican Republic may be a small economy, but it is one of 
the most dynamic in the region, with a resolutely export-oriented production platform. Thanks to 
this and to its sound economic policy, real GDP grew at an average annual rate of 4%. 
4.160.  I would like to highlight the fact that the Dominican Republic continued to implement trade 
facilitation measures during the period under review, as shown by the streamlining of customs 
procedures for some customs purposes, and the introduction of various measures contained in the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement. It is worth reiterating that the delegation of the Dominican Republic takes an active part in the TFA negotiations. 
4.161.  I also wish to underscore my country's excellent bilateral relations with the 
Dominican Republic at the political, social and cultural levels as well as the economic level, as evidenced by the recent opening of the Embassy of Paraguay in Santo Domingo. 
4.162.  Nonetheless, we have to acknowledge that our bilateral trade relationship is well below 
potential. The Dominican Republic's leading go ods exports to Paraguay include chemicals, 
medicines and white cement, while its main imports from Paraguay are milk, medicines, active ingredients, footwear, and oils and fats of animal origin. 
4.163.  To conclude, it should be pointed out that Paraguay and the Dominican Republic share the 
same vision of the future of the multilateral trading system. Both countries are in favour of early implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agr eement and the design of a development-centred 
post-Bali work programme. 
4.164.  I would like to offer renewed congratulations to those leading this review and to the 
delegates from the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic in Geneva for their invariably 
active involvement in the different areas of the Organization's work. 
PAKISTAN 4.165.  We are glad to note the robust growth tr end demonstrated by the Dominican Republic 
economy and thus despite the economic global crisis. All economic indicators are healthy and 
positive: GDP growing was at 0.9% in 2009 and, at end 2014, GDP growth rate was estimated at 
7.3%, exports are pursuing a positive trend, trade in services show a growing trend in surplus at 
an average rate of 7.7% during the period under review. 
4.166.  Such impressive figures were the results of an open economy and the implementation of 
well targeted policy reforms. We commend amon gst other measures the implementation of trade 
facilitation measures since six years. 
4.167.  On the bilateral trade in goods between Dominican Republic and Pakistan, despite the 
increasing trend of +12.4% in 2014 as compared to  the previous year, the existing trade potential 
is not fully exploited.  
4.168.  I would like to conclude my statement by encouraging the Dominican Republic to pursue 
the reforms already implemented tackling the energy  crisis, in reducing the percentage of people 
living below the poverty line and in creating more employments. 
PANAMA 
4.169.  Trade relations between the Dominican Republic  and Panama began to flourish after the 
signing of the partial-scope agreement that entered into force on 2 November 2003. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  4.170.  This agreement, initially scheduled to last ten years, was extended in 2013 for another five 
years. It has strengthened and boosted mutual trade through the expansion and diversification of trade in goods and services. This has prompted the two countries to work on extending coverage under the agreement. 
4.171.  The Secretariat report underscores the buoyancy of the Dominican economy, marked by 
export growth at an annual average nominal rate of 22.1%, which is driven mainly by the mining 
sector. 
4.172.  We take special note of the Dominican Republic's positive economic trends in the 
post-global crisis period, during which it implemented economic policies that led to real GDP growth averaging 4.4% per year and narrowed the fiscal deficit. 
4.173.  The successful outcomes of these initiatives were recently acknowledged in the 
World Bank's November 2014 report, which ranks the Dominican Republic among the world's top 
50 economies for ease of trading across borders. 
4.174.  The Dominican Republic has also developed policies aimed at increasing competitiveness, 
providing a trading environment conducive to foreign direct investment and implementing trade 
facilitation measures, in particular customs reforms. The modified free-zone regime is the Dominican Republic's key export promotion programme. 
4.175.  In 2014, Panama and the Dominican Republic signed a strategic alliance agreement aimed 
at promoting investments in free zones by boosting the production of goods and services, as well as raising the competitiveness of both countries. 
4.176.  Initiatives demonstrating the Dominican Republic's strong commitment to intellectual 
property are also worthy of mention. We note its participation as an observer in the next 
Central American Ministerial Meeting on intellectual property, in which we hope it will be able to play an important role. We also highlight its accession to full membership in the Central American 
Integration System (SICA) in 2013 and its renewed dialogue with SIECA. 
4.177.  We wish to congratulate the Dominican Republic for its active participation in the 
multilateral trading system and for its important role in the trade negotiations under way at the 
WTO. Its engagement is recognized and has been demonstrated by Ambassador Piantini's 
outstanding work in recent years as Chairman of  the Informal Group of Developing Countries. 
4.178.  We urge the Dominican Republic to press ahead in its endeavours to improve on areas 
identified in the Secretariat report as needing greater attention, so as to sustain the trend towards 
economic growth and its tangible social and developmental benefits. 
HONDURAS 4.179.  The Dominican Republic is a partner with whom Honduras shares many views in this 
Organization. The same can be said of our bilateral trade relations. Under the free trade 
agreements in force, the Dominican Republic exported some US$63 million worth of goods such as tobacco leaf, graphite, coffee, pig fat, vegetables, fruit, cane sugar and milk to our country in 
2014. 
4.180.  In the same year, Honduras imported around US$15 million worth of unmanufactured 
tobacco, blankets, glands and other organs for organo-therapeutic uses (dried, whether or not powdered), polymers of ethylene in primary form, coats, and wheat flour. 
4.181.  Honduras and the Dominican Republic are currently developing an innovative recycling 
project using lilac stems to manufacture products th at include furniture, thongs, shoes, flip-flops, 
sandals, handbags, and mats. Honduran experts will provide technical advice, together with the 
government bodies involved in the project, such  as the Botanical Gardens, the Ministry of the 
Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Dominican Institute for Agricultural and Forestry Research (IDIAF), and the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo 
(UASD). WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  4.182.  The Honduran Government has also begun implementing the Mesoamerica without Hunger 
agreement, a joint initiative launched by the Central American countries, the Dominican Republic and Colombia to eradicate malnutrition through international cooperation, with support from the FAO and funding from the Mexican Government. The goal is to strengthen institutional frameworks 
for food security and family farming in Honduras. 
4.183.  According to information from the Central American Economic Council, the risk-rating 
agencies expect the Dominican economy to expa nd by around 5% in 2015-2016; growth in the 
United States will boost the Dominican Republic's  economic performance, given the strong trade 
links, tourism and remittances between the two countries. 
4.184.  Both the Secretariat and the Government report highlight the Dominican economy's rapid 
growth, at an annual average rate of 4.4%, over the period 2008-2014. The traditional surplus on 
the services balance has been expanding since 2010,  thanks mainly to an increase in tourism 
income. 
4.185.  Growth in total goods exports averaged 12.4%  between 2009 and 2014, driven mainly by 
mineral exports, particularly gold. Domestic expo rts (i.e. excluding exports from the free zones) 
rose vigorously at an annual average nominal ra te of 22.1% and accounted for 47.1% of total 
exports in 2014, compared to 31.2% in 2009. 
4.186.  Both reports indicate that the increase in real value added of the agricultural sector, 
including forestry and fishing, averaged around 6.3% per year between 2008 and 2013, and that agricultural production rose from RD$23,435.5 million in 2008 to RD$31,825.9 million in 2013, the 
main products being rice, bananas, tomatoes and so-called traditional export crops, such as sugar 
cane, coffee, cocoa and tobacco, as well as chicken meat, eggs and beef. 
4.187.  Manufactured goods, in particular textiles, cl othing and metal products, account for more 
than 50% of Dominican exports. Manufactures also represented the vast majority of total exports 
from the free zones in 2014. 
4.188.  We note that the Dominican Republic also maintains a surplus on its trade in 
telecommunications services and experienced a boom  in foreign direct investment (FDI), which 
amounted to some US$17 billion in 2008-2014, reflecting investment in the mining, commerce and 
industry, telecommunications, tourism, real estate, electricity and financial sectors in particular. 
4.189.  We highlight the National Development Strategy 2030, which contains the key guidelines 
for the country's medium- and long-term economic, including trade, policy, with a view to boosting 
export development; promoting higher levels of investment in high-value-added and job-creating 
activities; and consolidating and monitoring the ne twork of trade treaties and agreements signed 
by the country, including our trade relations in the free trade area. 
4.190.  We note the introduction of substantial changes to the way in which the 
Dominican Republic drafts and administers its technical regulations and standards, and its conformity assessment procedures, the changes made to the institutional framework in creating 
the Dominican Quality System (SIDOCAL), and the adoption of trade facilitation measures which 
include the improvement of the country's risk management systems, the introduction of a 
computerized import clearance process and the elimination of certain authorization requirements. 
BARBADOS 
4.191.  My delegation commends the Dominican Republic on its sound economic performance in 
the face of the global economic downturn. The re view period spanned for the review includes the 
onset of the global financial crisis in 2008 to 2014. Despite this, the Dominican Republic has 
managed to do well. During this time, the Secret ariat has reported that the Dominican Republic's 
GDP grew rapidly at an average annual rate of 4.4%. The first three quarters of 2014 alone 
recoded GDP growth of 7.3%. The accomplishments of this economy (though small in measure to 
some), are due to the implementation of sound macroeconomic policies and timely and effective 
decision making by its leaders. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  4.192.  The Dominican Republic is a small, vulnerable economy. They, like other SVEs, are 
vulnerable to external shocks. This can have a negative impact on their economic growth and sustainable development prospects. It is therefore no surprise that the country was negatively impacted by the financial crisis, soaring oil prices and the lacklustre economic performance of their 
main trading partners. 
4.193.  However, through persistent expansionary monetary and fiscal policies the economy began 
to see a turn-around in 2010 when some other economies remained constrained by the brunt of 
the crisis. Managed tax reforms and fiscal consolidation has contributed to the Government's 
recovery efforts. Over the period, growth in expo rts in the domestic market have been influenced 
by an increase in domestic demand and the decrease in oil prices and an escalation in mineral exports, in particular, gold. 
4.194.  The outlook for further growth for the economy of the Dominican Republic remains 
positive, with both the Central Bank and the IM F projecting a 4.5% expansion in GDP in 2015 due 
primarily to the decrease in oil prices and an  improvement in the economic outlook of the 
country's main trading partners. 
4.195.  We note that the challenges faced by the Dominican Republic are not only economic but 
are also social in nature. The WTO Secretariat has indicated that the World Bank has reported that 
41.1% of the population is living below the poverty line. 
4.196.  In this regard, we recognize the role that trade can play in increasing employment, 
incomes and livelihoods; and that the Government of the Dominican Republic has developed a National Development Strategy, which aims among other things to, stimulate export development, 
increased investment in higher value added products and employment generating areas; 
rationalize the network of trade agreements; deve lop the regulatory environment to strengthen 
the enabling business environment; and achiev e an environmentally sound economy. We 
commend the Government for their foresight and wish them well in the achievement of their trade 
and development objectives. 
4.197.  Having established diplomatic relations with our sister Caribbean neighbour and trading 
partner forty-three years ago, our two countries have benefited from a cordial and friendly 
relationship. 
4.198.  Barbados is a party to two of the five free trade agreements that the Dominican Republic 
currently has in force, these are the CARICOM-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement and the 
Caribbean Forum-European Union Economic Part nership Agreement which were signed in 1998 
and 2008, respectively. 
4.199.  We continue to work with our other CARICOM and CARIFORUM countries to increase trade 
between our countries. With regard to bilateral trade between Barbados and the Dominican 
Republic, we would wish to highlight that chief amongst Barbados' main exports to the Dominican 
Republic are labels, sails and fertilizer. 
4.200.  As a contracting party to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and a 
founding Member of the WTO, the Dominican Republic has been steadfast in reiterating its commitment to the multilateral trading system. We  have been consistently reminded of this 
commitment through the active and valued participation of H.E. Mr Luis Manuel Piantini Munnigh 
and his Geneva based team. Firstly, by Ambassador Piantini who has with steady stewardship 
guided the Informal Group of Developing Countries  (IGDC) and, secondly, his delegation's active 
advocacy for flexibilities for developing countries in the Small Vulnerable Economies Group, the 
African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States and the G33. Barbados looks forward to its 
continued work with the Dominican Republic in this House in the pursuit of our shared and common objectives. 
BENIN 
4.201.  The delegation of Benin commends the Domi nican Republic for its endeavours and 
achievements, and the major economic and trade reforms implemented as a result. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  4.202.  In particular, we would like to underscore fiscal consolidation, debt restructuring and tax 
system reform, cautious management of the monetary system, the adoption and implementation of a National Development Strategy 2030, a more attractive investment regime, diversification of agricultural production, and bold trade facilitation reforms such as the introduction of the Single 
Window for Foreign Trade. 
4.203.  I would also like to emphasize the Dominican Republic's important role in and most 
appreciated contribution to the multilateral trade negotiations, as well as the very active 
engagement of the team at the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the WTO, headed 
by H.E. Mr Luis Manuel Piantini Munnigh, in the work currently under way. 
4.204.  Another point worthy of mention is that the Dominican Republic has historically been a 
major player in pro-regional integration actions and initiatives, not only at the Latin American and 
Caribbean level, but also in the ACP context; these are important in supporting multilateral 
endeavours and initiatives. 
4.205.  The delegation of Benin would like to take this opportunity to urge the technical and 
financial partners to continue providing assistance to the Dominican Republic so that it can 
complete its multisectoral reforms and foster economic, trade and social development. 
NICARAGUA 
4.206.  Relations between the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua are conducted at two different 
levels, each governed by a free trade agreement.  Although the other Central American countries 
are also signatories to these agreements, there is a major difference depending on whether the latter apply bilaterally or multilaterally among the parties. Our bilateral relations have focused 
essentially on political, trade and cultural matters. 
4.207.  Nicaragua wishes to congratulate the Dominican Republic for its sustained economic 
growth and the adoption of trade facilitation measures, including the improvement of its risk 
management systems and the introduction of a computerized import clearance process, and 
expects it to submit its instruments of ratificati on and acceptance the TFA Protocol in the coming 
days. Nicaragua also welcomes the Dominican Repu blic's adoption of trade and administrative 
measures to increase its competitiveness and trade with its main trading partners. 
4.208.  Nicaragua notes that the Dominican Republic has experienced growth in agricultural 
exports such as sugar, coffee and tobacco. In re cent years, however, services have outpaced 
agriculture as the largest provider of jobs, as a result of the expansion of telecommunications, 
tourism and the free zones. 
4.209.  The Dominican economy relies heavily on the United States, which absorbs more than half 
of the country's exports. Remittances from the Unit ed States account for around one tenth of GDP, 
almost 50% of exports and three quarters of tourism earnings. 
4.210.  Unemployment and underemployment remain a long-term challenge. The Dominican 
economy has recovered from the global recession, and substantial improvements have been made 
in the fiscal domain. A tax reform package approved in November 2012 and a successful sale of 
government bonds in 2013 helped narrow the public deficit from 8% of GDP in 2012 to 3% in 2013. 
4.211.  Over the past two years, Nicaragua has recorded a surplus of US$21.97 million in its trade 
with the Dominican Republic, chiefly exporting co tton fabrics; tobacco leaf, tobacco and tobacco 
substitutes, cigars and cheroots; bakery products; ethyl alcohol; sawn timber; rum; medicines for human use; whole fish; ground coffee; peanuts; pr epared or preserved vegetables, fruit or nuts, 
and raw groundnuts, which altogether accounted for 99.3% of its total exports. 
4.212.  Goods imported from the Dominican Republic amounted to US$9.8 million over the same 
period, and chiefly consisted of pharmaceutical preparations and goods for human use, clothing 
and clothing accessories, and iron or steel wire. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  4.213.  Nicaragua welcomes the Dominican Republic's acceptance as a full member of the Central 
American Integration System (SICA), pursuant to a resolution adopted at the 41st Regular Meeting 
of the SICA Heads of State and Government from 25 to 27 June 2013 and incorporated in the Declaration of San José. This complements the Dominican Republic's trade relations with Central 
America under the existing trade agreements and will  increase its intra-regional trade, as well as 
providing opportunities to address common issues and goals such as security, culture, development, the economy, the environment an d the eradication of poverty in the region. 
4.214.  Last but not least, my delegation wishes to pay tribute to the contribution made by 
Ambassador Piantini and his team to the many tasks facing this Organization and to the DDA negotiations in particular. 
JAPAN 
4.215.  According to the Secretariat report, the Dominican Republic has overcome the global 
financial crisis of 2008-2009 and experienced st rong economic growth, with a 4.4% average 
increase in GDP between 2008 and 2014, which expa nded by 7.3% in 2014, driven by stronger 
domestic demand and exports. 
4.216.  Japan greatly welcomes the Dominican Republic's consistent efforts, which have resulted in 
robust economic growth with relatively low inflationary pressure. Despite this remarkable 
economic performance, the country has been faci ng problems such as unemployment and poverty, 
leading to an enormous income gap that affects its population. The gap needs to be narrowed if the Dominican Republic is to enjoy sustainable econ omic growth. To achieve that objective, it is 
extremely important for the country to keep a constant focus on human resource development. 
Japan has been providing ongoing assistance in a number of areas, in the form of both technical 
and financial cooperation. Japan hopes that the Dominican Republic will pursue its endeavours in that direction. 
4.217.  To sustain its vigorous economic performance, the Dominican Republic must also continue 
to make every effort to integrate its economy in global value chains. And that is precisely the objective of the National Development Strategy 2030. The implementation of both bilateral and 
multilateral trade agreements and the promotion of direct investment are essential in promoting 
integration. Japan looks forward to witnessing the Dominican Republic's efforts to achieve that objective in the future. 
4.218.  I will now turn to the Dominican Republic's trade policies. 
4.219.  According to the Secretariat report, the Dominican Republic's foreign trade can be divided 
into two categories: trade within and trade outsid e the free zones. Although the free-zone regime 
is the country's key trade promotion programme, exports from outside the free zones grew 
vigorously, driven mainly by exports of precious  minerals, particularly gold. Japan welcomes the 
Dominican Republic's endeavours to diversify its exports. 
4.220.  As regards the Trade Facilitation Agreement, Japan also welcomes the Category A 
notification submitted by the Dominican Republic. Japan hopes that the country will ratify the 
Agreement as soon as possible. 
4.221.  The Dominican Republic has five FTAs in effect, including the CAFTA-DR, which is the most 
important one for the country. According to the Secretariat report, it is currently exploring the 
possibility of signing a trade agreement with Chile. Japan hopes that the FTAs signed and 
negotiated by the Dominican Republic, which are consistent with the WTO Agreements, will complement and strengthen the WTO multilateral trading system. 
JAMAICA 
4.222.  Jamaica and the Dominican Republic are historically close. The Dominican Republic 
occupies with Haiti the island of Hispaniola which is Jamaica's second nearest neighbour. 
4.223.  We therefore recognize and have tremendous respect for the important and influential 
position of the Dominican Republic in the trade of our region.  WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  4.224.  Jamaica and the Dominican Republic have strong trading links, particularly within the 
ambit of the CARICOM-DR free trade agreement and the CARIFORUM-EU economic partnership 
agreement. 
4.225.  We therefore join others in congratulating the Dominican Republic for the progress made 
during the review period, particularly in the area of trade facilitation, a remarkable response to the 
global financial crisis and growth in services, including tourism. 
4.226.  Jamaica has long admired the policy and practice of the Dominican Republic to green its 
urban areas which has no doubt contributed positively to the country's participation in the 
sustainable tourism market. 
4.227.  We also note the challenges that continued to be faced by the Dominican Republic, 
including the energy supply constraints situation which we, in Jamaica, are also familiar with, and 
other outstanding issues in its trade policy. 
4.228.  We therefore join others in urging the Domini can Republic to address these issues and to 
include, where appropriate, timelines for the im plementation in the interest of transparency. 
4.229.  I wish to close by expressing our deep appreciation to Ambassador Piantini for his wise and 
energetic guidance in defending the intere sts of developing countries in the WTO. 
DOMINICA  ON BEHALF  OF THE OECS 
4.230.  According to the Secretariat report, the Dominican Republic has been relatively successful 
in overcoming the global crisis that confronted it and the world thanks to various domestic measures including monetary and fiscal policies. In that regard, the report indicates that overall, 
the Dominican economy grew rapidly during th e period from 2008 to 2014, the average annual 
rate reaching 4.4%. This is a commendable level of performance which demonstrates a high level 
of resilience for a small economy in the face of global economic challenges. 
4.231.  We note and commend the Government of the Dominican Republic for the developments 
and reforms that have taken place since its last tr ade policy review. This includes the enactment of 
a National Development Strategy 2030 and its Im plementing Regulations along with the three 
major national pacts: the Education Pact, the Electricity Pact, and the Fiscal Pact. We also note 
that the main objectives of the Dominican Republic's trade policy are set out in the National 
Development Strategy which reflects a commendable high level of trade mainstreaming in national plans. We note and commend the Dominican Republic for the reforms in the area of customs and trade facilitation to update and streamline its customs procedures. We also note the developments 
regarding its standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures. We would 
like to encourage the Dominican Republic to continue the process reform and compliance with its WTO obligations. 
4.232.  The OECS and the Dominican Republic share close relations and friendship as members of 
the Caribbean region and members of several institutions and arrangements including CARIFORUM, the ACP and GRULAC, the CARIFOFUM-EU EPA and the CARICOM-Dominican Republic 
FTA. In the WTO, we are both Members of the gr oup of small, vulnerable economies, the G33 and 
the IGDC. In that regard, the Dominican Republic and the OECS, both as developing countries but 
more specifically as small vulnerable economies and small island developing States, share the similar perspectives, positions and aspirations, in many issues in the WTO including a successful 
conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda nego tiations that addresses our needs and concerns. 
4.233.  In that regard, as the Secretariat report notes and as we have observed from ourselves, 
the Dominican Republic is an active participant in the work of the WTO and in the Doha 
Development Round negotiations. It plays a leading role in the SVEs and the ACP groups and is 
Chair of the IGDC. We thank the Dominican Republic and encourage Ambassador Piantini and the delegation here to continue playing this role in strengthening the WTO and the MTS and advancing 
the interests of small developing countries. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF TH E DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND ADDITIONAL 
COMMENTS 
5.1.  I would like to start by thanking His Excellenc y Mr Atanas Paparizov, Ambassador of Bulgaria 
and Chair of this meeting, for his leadership in ensuring the smooth running of our proceedings. I 
believe, Your Excellency, that your compliance wi th the time-frame concerning the statements 
delivered and your most insightful and clear introductory remarks have contributed to the success of this meeting. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank His Excellency Mr Esteban 
Conejos, Ambassador of the Philippines and discussant for this review, for his very clear and 
apposite remarks on the trade policies of the Dominican Republic, which have helped our discussions. 
5.2.  The preparatory work for our fourth trade policy review started in April 2014. In September 
of that year, a team composed of representatives of our key government institutions concluded 
the first preparatory meeting for the submission of this review before the World Trade Organization (WTO). Since then, we have worked tirelessly in order to fulfil our undertaking in the 
most effective possible manner. All these efforts and dedication have led to the final stage that 
brings us here today. 
5.3.  A few hours ago, in this very room, I sp oke on behalf of the Government of the 
Dominican Republic to express our considerable satisfaction in presenting this new review of our 
trade policy and thus complying with one of the core commitments undertaken by all WTO Members. 
5.4.  Today I would like to reiterate how pleased we are - now doubly so because of the warm 
welcome we have received from all of you – and the sense of satisfaction of a duty fulfilled. 
5.5.  We appreciate your statements and have paid special attention to all of your oral as well as 
written comments and questions. Every single one of them has been and will continue to be 
evaluated in the right perspective, because we are convinced that, in so doing, we are helping to 
strengthen our relations within the multilateral system. 
5.6.  We have taken due note of your positive fee dback on the economic po licies implemented by 
the Dominican Republic in the course of the period under review, which, as we all know, was 
m a r k e d  b y  t h e  w o r s t  g l o b a l  e c o n o m i c  c r i s i s  i n  r e c e n t  t i m e s .  W e  w i l l  c o n t i n u e  t o  p r o m o t e  t h e  establishment of policies under which we can press on with building an even stronger economy and thus contribute to development for all Dominicans. 
5.7.  We welcome your favourable assessment of the introduction of our National Development 
Strategy. We are sure that its implementation will help us build the Dominican Republic of the future. I have already commented on the rewards th at we have begun to derive from investing in 
education, which we shall continue to do. We are confident that the Electricity Pact will pave the 
way towards a more efficient system, by reducing costs and improving the conditions which, today, hinder our development. We also trust that the Fiscal Pact will help increase the efficiency, 
transparency and fairness of our tariff structure. 
5.8.  We are pleased to have shown you our significant progress with trade facilitation since our 
previous trade policy review and acknowledge yo ur comments. We are confident about an early 
conclusion of the process of ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement and will continue to 
comply with all the commitments undertaken in the WTO. 
5.9.  As regards technical barriers to trade, our National Committee is currently working on the 
proposed modification of the existing lega l framework and on the related implementing 
regulations. 
5.10.  The need to amend our legal framework arose from enactment of the law establishing the 
Dominican Quality System (SIDOCAL) and specific TBT functions that required bringing the 
relevant legal instruments into line with the new law. It will also be necessary to incorporate a 
number of government institutions that were not included initially but that must be incorporated in order to ensure more effective functioning of the TBT system. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  5.11.  All of our country's TBT-related actions will continue to comply with the principle of 
transparency established in the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. 
5.12.  The Dominican Republic's government procurem ent regime was among the issues that gave 
rise to the largest number of questions in this review. However, since we have no multilateral 
commitments in this respect, we have to refer to the regime currently in place. 
5.13.  Our country's government procurement regime is  based on the principles of transparency, 
openness and economy, and it promotes participation by the largest number of suppliers. The 
institutions concerned submit their procurement plans in accordance with their budgets, along with 
the contracts that they intend to execute du ring the fiscal year. These are compiled by the 
Directorate-General of Government Procurement and published on its website, which enables economic operators to decide ahead of time in which contracts they wish to participate. There are 
various publication media and time-frames depending on the procurement method corresponding 
to the threshold for each individual process. 
5.14.  I would also like to mention that the changes that the Dominican Republic has been making 
to its government procurement regime since 2006 were not only prompted by the commitments 
made under our existing trade agreements but are also part of the State's financial management 
reform, which has led to the adoption of a large number of laws that promote, among other things, 
transparency and efficiency in public spending, and accountability, and also facilitate social 
auditing. 
5.15.  To conclude on this subject, we welcome the fact that several Members have invited us to 
accede to the plurilateral Agreement on Govern ment Procurement. The Dominican Republic does 
not rule out the possibility, to the extent that there are instruments that would enable it to identify 
substantial trade interests that could be addressed under this agreement. 
5.16.  We would like to reiterate that foreign investment and investors unquestionably enjoy legal 
certainty in the Dominican Republic. 
5.17.  The State and its entities and authorities honour and comply with the undertakings made 
under contracts and agreements with their various trading partners and counterparts. Through the 
different bodies and agencies such as the investment agency, they promote and ensure full 
protection for foreign investment. 
5.18.  Guarantees such as property rights are even protected under the Constitution, meaning, for 
example, that in the event of expropriation by the State, adequate and fair compensation is 
provided through a non-discriminatory procedure, under due process of law and in accordance with 
legitimate public policy objectives. 
5.19.  All the prerogatives conferred by the various powers and representatives of the State are 
clear examples of the legal certainty afforded to foreign investment. Nonetheless, we are prepared 
to review individual cases and the guarantees afforded to their investments in our country. 
5.20.  The Dominican Republic reaffirms its commitment to regional integration. As we have 
already said, we are well aware that we may be an island but we are not isolated. Therefore, as 
some of you have suggested, you may count on us to promote a greater rapprochement with the Central American Integration System and closer ties in the other regional processes in which we are involved. 
5.21.  We have been responding to your questions in a formal and timely manner and will be 
answering any outstanding queries in due time. 
5.22.  I take this opportunity to inform you that, in cooperation with officials from the 
WTO Secretariat, we have already begun preparing a seminar to evaluate our participation in this 
trade policy review, which will bring together all our government authorities involved in that area. We informed WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo of this at a meeting yesterday. 
5.23.  Furthermore, we told the Director-General just the same as we told you, namely that our 
country is committed to the multilateral trading system and to a stronger World Trade WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  Organization, as the primary forum for multilateral trade-related matters. We are confident that 
the Doha Round will be concluded to the satisfaction of all concerned. 
5.24.  Our intention in coming here was not to perfor m a mere rhetorical exercise. We wanted to 
give you a snapshot of the reality of the Dominican Republic - a country with a past, as outlined by 
Ambassador Conejos, but above all with a vision of the future. 
5.25.  We hope that the presence of our delegation here in Geneva is interpreted as a clear signal 
of our Government's determination to contribute to greater transparency and understanding of our 
country's trade policies and practices. We re peat that we stand ready, to quote our 
President Danilo Medina, "to pursue what is going ri ght, to correct what is going wrong, and to do 
what has never been done before". 
DISCUSSANT 
5.26.  First, I would like to thank Vice Minister for the comprehensive remarks delivered the other 
day. I would also like to acknowledge the statements made by the Members from the floor, so I will touch on some of the key themes I heard from you last Wednesday. 
5.27.  Many Members welcomed the fact that, despite the economic and financial challenges over 
the past years, the Dominican Republic has remained resilient and was able to recover rapidly. To cite an example, the Dominican Republic actively explored ways and other areas of opportunity 
such as tourism and telecommunication services while it was experiencing a decline in agriculture. 
The Vice Minister also outlined measures the Government is taking as a response to external shocks.  
5.28.  The Dominican Republic is obviously committed to the multilateral trading system. Members 
nonetheless noted the Dominican Republic's trade policy agenda outside the WTO, particularly its 
participation in regional trade agreements as part of its efforts to further integrate into the regional and global economy. 
5.29.  SPS and TBT were mentioned many times in the statements. There was a positive 
acknowledgement of the reforms being undertaken but there was also a consistent message that there is room for improvement, including increase d transparency, the adoption of new legislation 
or laws to update them and the full implementation of the changes made.  
5.30.  Quite a number of Members are looking forwar d to the full operationalization of the 
Dominican Republic's competition policy law through the activation of ProCompetencia as it will also complement the positive developments in other areas such as the amendment of the free 
zone legislation and opening up of most economic sectors to FDI as well as the granting of national 
treatment. 
5.31.  I heard genuine concerns from the Members including specific suggestions in order for the 
Dominican Republic to overcome the energy crisis it is currently facing. The Vice Minister described 
the steps the Government is taking to address inefficiencies in the electricity sector, including revisiting its renewable energy regime. 
5.32.  We just heard the Vice Minister inform the Body that he will take account and will act on the 
points made by Members in the course of this policy review and we are delighted to hear that Vice Minister.  
5.33.  Lastly, I would like to thank the Secretariat for all its hard work in preparing for this review, 
again the sincere appreciation to the Dominican Republic for answering so many questions which 
indicate the keen interest on the economy of Domi nican Republic and responding in such a timely 
manner and the Members who were also an important part of the discussions over the past two 
days. I also would like to congratulate my good friend Ambassador Luis for his positive work in 
Geneva particularly in the next few months in the lead-up to the Nairobi ministerial meeting. 
5.34.  Please allow me to wish the Vice Minister and his delegation a safe trip back to Santo 
Domingo. Having gained new friends from this review, I know that when I visit the Dominican 
Republic, I can always count on my  good friend H.E. Luis to tell me the best places to go. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  EUROPEAN  UNION 
5.35.  The EU would like to thank the delegation of the Dominican Republic for the replies already 
provided in preparation for this meeting. We appreciate them. 
5.36.  However, the EU would like to receive some further clarifications on two specific replies 
provided. For this reason, we have provided a couple of follow-up questions. Firstly, the EU would 
like to know the average real time for obtainin g the sanitary registration of imported foods, 
beverages, medicines, cosmetics and household hygiene products, per product category and per 
registration type. Secondly, the EU would like to know when the Dominican authorities envisage 
completing the structure of the competition author ity. We realize that these are quite specific 
questions and we have submitted them to the Secretariat and we would appreciate replies in due course. 
5.37.  Concluding, the EU very much welcomes this review as an useful exercise for all parties and 
hopes that the Dominican Republic will take advantage of the comments raised by several Members. 
UNITED
 STATES 
5.38.  The United States expresses its thanks and appreciation to the Vice Minister and his 
delegation of the Dominican Republic for the hard work and efforts in preparing for actively 
engaging in this fourth Trade Policy Review. 
5.39.  We found your delegation's presentations as well as the informal comments by 
Ambassador Conejos extremely comprehensive and they added greatly to our understanding of your country regime and your ambitious plans for the future. 
5.40.  We welcome your encouraging remarks regarding the progress on the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement and the focus that you place on observ ing and improving the transparency obligations 
under the SPS and TBT Agreements.  
5.41.  We appreciate your additional explanation on your government procurement regime and we 
welcome any further consideration that you may wish to give to joining the GPA. 
5.42.  Once again, my delegation wishes to thank the Dominican Republic for the responses 
provided to our questions and we congratulate you on a successful TPR. 
GUATEMALA 5.43.  Guatemala thanks the Dominican Republic for the additional information it was kind enough 
to share with us yesterday in response to the questions for this review. The information has 
already been forwarded to our capital and will be very useful to us. 
5.44.  We also take this opportunity to congratulate and thank both the delegation of the 
Dominican Republic and Ambassador Conejos for their very comprehensive and eloquent 
statements over the past two days. WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
6.1.  The fourth Trade Policy Review of the Dominican Republic has provided us with a clearer 
understanding of its trade and investment policies since the last Review in 2008, of its achievements since then, and of the challenges it  still faces. The review has benefitted from the 
constructive participation of the Dominican Republic's large delegation, headed by H.E. César 
D a r g a m  E s p a i l l a t ,  V i c e  M i n i s t e r  o f  E x t e r n a l  R e l a t i o n s ,  a n d  b y  t h e  v a l u a b l e  c o m m e n t s  f r o m  t h e  discussant, the Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the WTO, H.E. Esteban Conejos. 
Members appreciated the Dominican Republic's response to the more than 130 advance written 
questions, and we look forward to answers to an y outstanding questions no later than one month 
after this meeting. 
6.2.  Members highlighted the Dominican Republic's generally open and transparent trade regime, 
with few obstacles for its trading partners. On the economic front, Members commended the 
Dominican Republic for having weathered the global economic crisis successfully through the use of anti-cyclical fiscal and monetary policies. Th ey noted that during 2008-2014, GDP had grown at 
an average annual rate of 4.4% in real terms, an d that trade in goods and services, as well as 
investment flows and remittances, had been an important factor supporting growth. In 2014, 
growth had been particularly high at 7.3%, driv en by strong activity in mining, construction, 
tourism and other services. Members welcomed the Dominican Republic's sustained economic 
reform agenda, including its 2012 tax reform process and other initiatives in areas such as trade facilitation and TBTs, and encouraged it to step up the pace of reform in areas where 
competitiveness needs to be boosted.  
6.3.  Members welcomed the Dominican Republic's important achievements in reducing poverty 
but noted that overall levels of poverty remain relatively high and encouraged it to continue to focus on policies to promote growth and social in clusion. Members showed interest in the National 
Development Strategy 2030 and its focus on three key areas: education, electricity and fiscal 
reform. Several Members pointed out the persistent problems in the electricity sector and the effect that insufficient supply could have on the country's competiveness and growth prospects. 
They urged the Dominican Republic to address this issue. In his presentation, the representative of 
the Dominican Republic stated that a comprehensive reform of the electricity sector, under an Electricity Pact, is currently being pursued and th at the Government has stepped up investments in 
the sector. 
6.4.  It was noted that the Dominican Republic was the recipient of a considerable amount of 
foreign direct investment (FDI) during the period  under review, and that this had had a positive 
impact on its exports. The Dominican Republic had also introduced measures to facilitate 
investment procedures and attract more FDI, such as the establishment of a one-stop investment 
facility in 2012. However, Members considered that further reforms could be pursued and the FDI regime could be strengthened, particularly by increasing the legal security for FDI, and by 
addressing the existing FDI restrictions as well as the impediments for foreign companies on 
distribution services through the imposition of local authorized operators.  
6.5.  The Dominican Republic's commitment to and active participation in the WTO were mentioned 
by several Members. The representative of the Dominican Republic reaffirmed this commitment 
and expressed its wish to contribute to the posi tive conclusion of the Doha Development Round. 
6.6.  Members noted the Dominican Republic's participation in five Free Trade Agreements, which 
covered more than two-thirds of its trade. Some Members also highlighted the participation of the 
Dominican Republic to the Central American Integration System (SICA) since 2013.  
6.7.  The Dominican Republic was commended for its implementation of trade facilitation measures 
during the review period, which had included the introduction of a computerized customs clearance 
system, the improvement of its risk manageme nt process and the elimination of certain 
authorization requirements. The eventual completi on of a Foreign Trade Single Window would be 
an additional step in this direction. It was also noted that the Dominican Republic had notified its Category A commitments under the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA); Members invited the 
Dominican Republic to promptly ratify the TFA.  WT/TPR/M/319 • Dominican Republic 
 
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  6.8.  Members welcomed the Dominican Republic's relatively low average tariff and the fact that 
some 54% of tariff lines were zero-rated. They obse rved, however, that tariffs in agriculture were 
more than twice as high as those on manufactu red goods. Members noted the changes made to 
the regime for the allocation of tariff quotas for agricultural products since the last review, but 
some expressed concern about the lack of transp arency and delays in the issuance of import 
permits, as well as with respect to the admini stration and purpose of the no-objection permits 
required for the importation of animals and agricultural products. Some Members also referred to 
the outdated nature of some SPS legislation. In this respect, the Dominican Republic authorities 
noted that they are working on the preparation of new legislation, regulations and procedures. 
6.9.  Members commended the Dominican Republic for adopting new procedures for the drafting 
and administration of its technical regulations to follow closely international standards, an issue 
that was also raised in the context of the previo us review. With respect to intellectual property, 
some questions were raised with respect to the reasons to limit simplified registration procedures to pharmaceutical products. Some concerns were also expressed with respect to the shortcomings 
in practice and enforcement of IPRs, such as the delays in patent application reviews and 
marketing approval for pharmaceuticals, and the availability of pirated and counterfeit goods. 
6.10.  The Dominican Republic's government procurement regime was considered as generally 
transparent, and conducted on a competitive basi s, without recourse to preference margins for 
domestic suppliers. The 20% set aside in government procurement for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) was noted by several Members, some of whom considered this as a preference. 
On competition policy, Members expressed concern ab out the fact that the competition authority is 
not yet operational and that the regulations to implement competition legislation have not been 
issued. Members urged the Dominican Republic to address these shortcomings. 
6.11.  The fourth Review of the Dominican Republic's  trade policies and practices was successfully 
concluded to the benefit of all the Membership. I have no doubt that the Dominican Republic will 
find useful the fruitful discussion and dialogue as  well as the insights provided by Members during 
the review and will take them into account to develop further its trade and economic policies to 
enhance the welfare of its citizens. The large number of advance written questions submitted 
before the meeting and the 29 delegations that t ook the floor during the two days of discussions 
highlight the importance Members attach to the Dominican Republic's trade and related policies 
and its role in the multilateral trading system.  
6.12.  In closing, I would like to thank Vice Minister César Dargam and the rest of the large 
delegation from Santo Domingo and Geneva, the discussant, the Members and the Secretariat for their contribution to the fourth Trade Policy Review of the Dominican Republic.  
 
__________