Haiti has accepted an extension of the deadline for the labeling of goods in French or Creole for sale in Haiti. The Customs authorities in Haiti had banned the entry of goods that were not labeled in these languages as of the start of this month, giving only a few days of notice.
The Haitian government is now giving until 3 January 2025 for the labeling in French or Creole.
Source: DR1, DiaroLibre
Oct 23, 2024
The Ministry of Interior & Police signed an agreement with the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel) to ensure 63 police stations nationwide have broadband Internet connections. The first will be installed on 11 November 2024 in Cristo Rey, a densely populated National District neighborhood.
Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful and Indotel board president Guido Gomez Mazara signed the agreement.
The agreement also includes a chapter to fund the training of Police officers on how to use the Internet effectively.
Source: Ministry of Interior & Police
Oct 23, 2024
The latest government push to repatriate tens of thousands of undocumented migrants also faces the reality of recidivism of those who have been deported. This reality is being addressed by a proposed amendment to Migration Law 285-04 currently under review and modification in Congress.
The Senate has a proposal that seeks to punish a person who has been deported and returns to the Dominican Republic with fines and possible imprisonment of up to 90 days. The fines and possible imprisonment are on an escalating scale, going from two to five minimum wages and 15 to 30 days in jail for first offenders, to 10 to 20 minimum salaries in fines and up to 90 days in jail or both for third-time offenders.
The legislative proposal also stipulates that if the returnee has been convicted of a crime that originated the deportation in the first place, then the fines are 10 to 20 minimum wages and up to two years in prison or both. In another section of the proposal, the legislators call for fines of up to 50 public sector minimum wages and anywhere between three to five years in prison, or both penalties simultaneously. The proposal also eliminates two legislators from being part of the National Council on Migration.
The Migration Agency says it has “redirected” 23,535 Haitians in the first 17 days of October. Of this total, 15,488 were deported migrants who were detained for lacking the necessary authorization for their legal stay in the country.”
There is a 391 km border with Haiti with fences in areas of less than 30 km of the extension. On market days, entry is free to the Dominican Republic, with no one checking who goes back. The pressure
for Haitians to migrate is on the rise, as little has been done to improve security and social services in Haiti. A minority of Haitians have legal documents, a situation that creates major problems when they migrate to the Dominican Republic.
Source: DR1, Listin Diario
Oct 23, 2024
The Tax Agency (DGII) announces the renewal of the vehicle circulation tax starting 22 October 2024. The cost of the tax is the same as in 2023. The government had proposed to double the tax, but this increase was postponed after President Luis Abinader announced on Saturday he would retrieve the proposal sent to Congress to increase taxes.
The tax when originally drafted had taxed vehicles based on their market value. This was later changed to two basic taxes, one for old vehicles and another for new ones.
The DGII says as of 22 October 2024, people may request the 2024-2025 vehicle circulation tax, commonly known as the “marbete”. This renewal process covers 1,893,024 eligible vehicles and is expected to generate RD$3,137,673,000 in revenue.
The DGII confirmed that the tax rates for the marbete will remain unchanged from the previous period:
• Vehicles manufactured up to 2019: RD$1,500.00
• Vehicles manufactured in 2020 and later: RD$3,000.00
In a press release, the tax agency stated that the renewal process will be available at 49 financial institutions with 859 branches nationwide, as well as at the DGII tax offices in Villa Vásquez, Montecristi province, and Sánchez, Samaná province, until Friday, 31 January 2025.
Additionally, taxpayers can renew their circulation permit online through the DGII’s website and mobile app starting from the beginning of the renewal period until Sunday, 19 January 2025.
Source: DR1, DiarioLibre
Oct 23, 2024
President Luis Abinader and Tourism Minister David Collado visited Cabo Rojo in southwestern Pedernales last Wednesday, 16 October 2024 to inaugurate the second phase of Port Cabo Rojo.
The port can accommodate two Oasis-class cruise ships simultaneously, or 15,000 passengers at once. This milestone comes as the port solidifies its role as a key driver of tourism development in the southern region of the Dominican Republic.
The second phase of Port Cabo Rojo includes a thematic fair, water park, bars, pools, shops, and restaurants, aimed at enhancing the visitor experience.
Port Cabo Rojo is part of a broader Tourism Development Project in Cabo Rojo, driven by the Public-Private Partnerships Agency, the Pro-Pedernales Trust, and the Ministry of Tourism.
The event was marked by the arrival of the cruise ship Adventure of the Seas, which docked at the newly opened port for the first time. This vessel can carry 3,114 passengers and 1,185 crew members.
Cruise lines have been sending cruise ships to Cabo Rojo to test the port and the acceptance of the destination by their customers.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, President Abinader emphasized the robust growth of tourism in Pedernales, affirming his commitment to ongoing development in the area. “Tourism is thriving here in Pedernales, and we will continue to foster progress across every sector,” he stated.
Minister Collado welcomed the cruise passengers and highlighted the significant economic impact of their visit on the province and the wider southern region. “Today, we take another significant step in our efforts to diversify the tourism offerings of the Dominican Republic. The arrival of thousands of visitors is an invaluable opportunity for local communities, driving economic development and showcasing our natural beauty,” he remarked.
Jean Luis Rodríguez, executive director of the Dominican Port Authority (Apordom) described the economic impact of Port Cabo Rojo as substantial, estimating between US$120 million to US$150 million in the potential investments and job creation in the area.
Sigmund Freund, director of the Pro-Pedernales Trust, pointed out that the arrival of the cruise ship solidifies Cabo Rojo’s positioning in international cruise markets. He reported that ongoing infrastructure projects, including hotels, an airport, and improved roads, are well-advanced and demonstrate the government’s commitment to establishing a world-class tourist destination.
Mauricio Hamui, CEO of the Mexican ITM Group that has the concession for the port, emphasized that the arrival of new cruise ships reflects a commitment to the economic development of the province, with the vision of attracting one million cruise visitors annually. ITM Group also has a concession for the Taino Bay Port in Puerto Plata.
Upon disembarking, tourists were greeted with live music, cultural performances, and a showcase of local crafts, including the renowned larimar stone, a symbol of the region’s identity.
Source: DR1, Diario Libre
Oct 23, 2024
The Chamber of Deputies agreed to withdraw the controversial tax reform bill at the request of President Luis Abinader. The decision follows widespread public opposition to the proposed legislation.
The government’s spokesperson, Homero Figueroa, has suggested that the general public may not have fully appreciated the positive aspects of the proposed tax reform. However, the widespread opposition ultimately led the administration to reconsider its position. Figueroa explained on the El Sol de la Mañana morning talk show that the surveys carried out by the Presidency showed overwhelming rejection. He said the government understood if the debates would have been extended this would impact living in the country. He said the focus in the country would have become “monothematic” and thus the decision to pull the bill.
In an official communication delivered by the government’s legal counsel Antoliano Peralta on Monday, 21 October 2024, President Abinader formally requested that the Fiscal Modernization Bill submitted on 8 October 2024 be removed from the legislative agenda. Chamber President Alfredo Pacheco promptly ordered the reading of this communication at the beginning of the session on 22 October 2024 and the bill was pulled.
The decision to shelve the bill comes after a public hearing on 17 October, during which over 100 individuals and businesses expressed their opposition to the proposed tax increases. Despite recognizing the need for tax reform, many citizens and businesses voiced concerns about the specific measures outlined in the bill.
Chamber of Deputies president Pacheco acknowledged the significant public participation in the hearing, emphasizing the importance of listening to the concerns of the Dominican people. He also expressed hope that future administrations would prioritize inclusive decision-making processes when considering similar legislation.
Pacheco said the Chamber of Deputies would compile the proposals deposited by sectors with alternatives to the government tax proposals.
Source: DR1, Hoy
Oct 23, 2024
The people smuggling networks respond to the demand for the service. Haitians cross the border given the insecurity, lack of jobs and social services in Haiti. In the DR, they find work and bring their families, where these receive medical and education services for free. The networks help the undocumented migrants to bypass the law.
Business leaders have put forth a series of proposals aimed at improving the hiring process for foreign workers and enhancing cross-border trade between the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Among the suggestions are the establishment of clear protocols for hiring foreign labor, the implementation of biometric systems to ensure the safe entry of workers, and the strict enforcement of the Foreigner’s Border Resident Card as stipulated by Migration Law 285-04.
Additionally, business leaders have called for the reactivation of the Dominican-Haitian Binational Committee to foster better multi-sectoral communication and address the economic and political needs of the border region. They have also emphasized the importance of promoting cross-border trade at both the national and international levels and have advocated for the daily operation and formalization of border markets.
These proposals aim to improve living conditions in the border region, streamline immigration procedures, and strengthen economic ties between the two neighboring countries.
The situation of Haitian workers is more difficult than that of other nationalities because the Haitian government does not document the people in Haiti. This leaves the Dominican government with the basic resource of biometric registration of the migrants. For years, the Dominican government has demanded that the Haitian government document its people with little results. The Haitian government has also rejected donations of equipment.
The mayor of border province Dajabon, Santiago Riveron protested that the Haitians who come to work bring their families with them. Haitian families are not known to practice birth control.
Source: DR1, Hoy
Oct 23, 2024
