Defense Minister says dry ports "will not affect" border trade

Santo Domingo. — The Minister of Defense, Carlos Fernández Onofre, assured that the dry ports that will be developed in the border area are part of the country's modernization process and will contribute to strengthening trade with Haiti, while reiterating that the Dominican border remains “totally calm.” Referring to the criticisms that have arisen regarding the installation of dry ports on the border, the official maintained that these infrastructures will not affect border merchants, but rather will allow for a further boost to commercial exchange and the transshipment of goods to the neighboring country. “You know that the world is moving very fast and we must keep up with the new times. Those dry ports that are being installed on the border will play their role and I am sure that they will not affect border trade. On the contrary, I understand that the transshipment of goods towards the neighboring country will intensify more”, he expressed.

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Regarding this, several sectors, including business people from the border area, have rejected the implementation of the so-called "dry ports" considering that the model promoted by the Government threatens traditional border trade and endangers the livelihood of thousands of families who depend on that economic dynamic.

Continuing to strengthen border security

Fernández Onofre also referred to the recommendations made by the Observatory of Migration Policies regarding the strengthening of border security and highlighted that the construction work on the border wall continues to advance. He indicated that 38 kilometers of the wall from Manzanillo to Capotillo will be inaugurated soon and that the bidding process for another 13 kilometers in Jimaní will open in the coming days. “We are going to inaugurate the 38 kilometers from Manzanillo to Capotillo. Right now, the bidding for 13 more kilometers in Jimaní will be released, to complete the strip”, he stated. Regarding the migration issue, the minister said that the authorities support the figures provided by the General Directorate of Migration regarding the deportations of foreigners in an irregular condition and assured that the Armed Forces maintain a wide deployment throughout the border area and the rest of the country to support the Government's migration policy. "On Friday we will be there visiting the border", added the Defense Secretary, reiterating that the situation on the border line remains under control.