Tuesday, the Ministers of Industry and Commerce of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with the support of the European Union, have inaugurated the act of launching of the component Commerce, as part of the Binational Program financed with funds from the Regional Indicative Programme (RIP) and by the National Indicative Programmes of the two countries.

Through the implementation of this initiative, the Haitian authorities and Dominican seek to contribute to the development, to the strengthening and revitalization of commerce and the economy in the two countries. The initiative is financed to the tune of $18.7 million, with funds from the RIP, of the European Union.

Antonio Vargas, Director General of the Multilateral Cooperation (DIGECOOM) and the National Authorising Officer of the European Development Fund stressed "The component launched today is extremely important, given that it seeks to promote the development of trade and economic cooperation based on the use of binational mutual interests," emphasis on the commercial benefits for employers, traders and people of both countries.

He recalled that this component is part of the ambitious binational program, jointly with the European delegations in both countries for a total amount of 47.5 million euros, which covers the support of the Northern Corridor infrastructure and areas of trade, environment and local development of the border.

He recalled that this funding includes the expansion of the market Dajabón, the construction of market Juana Mendez, the termination of infrastructures Haitian and Dominican at customs, the rehabilitation of agricultural roads essential to the growth of commerce on both sides of the border and the institutional support for the management and operation of the market.

He said that he was convinced of the link between existing between trade and development which has been recognized by the governments of the two countries, through the signing of various cooperation protocols, joint statements and MoU.

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre