Topics
CAFTA-DR
Dominican Republic joins CAFTA, still awaiting denim cumulation with Mexico
6 March 2007 - After very long delays, implementation of the CAFTA-DR agreement for the Dominican Republic is effective from 1 March, offering relaxed rules of origin to domestic apparel exporters. Dominican denim trouser producers are still waiting for a cumulation of origin, however, that will allow them using Mexican denim fabrics and keep duty-free access to the US market. Additional trade concessions from the United States are also long in concretizing.
US-Mexico agreement on cumulation of origin will boost CAFTA trade
27 November 2006 - The United States and Mexico are expected this week signing a decisive cumulation agreement that will allow apparel producers in Central America and the Dominican Republic (D.R.) using Mexican fabrics including denim, without losing their duty-free access to the US market. This is a decisive but complex chapter of textile trade negotiations.
Dominican Republic could rapidly join CAFTA (updated)
31 October 2006 - The United States is ready implementing the duty-free agreement with the Dominican Republic. Washington accepted lowering its MFN tariff on certain apparel that do not comply with CAFTA rules of origin, including denim trousers, in exchange for a restricted use of pocket fabrics. Implementation could be effective in the coming weeks, if the Dominican Congress approves a series of laws required by the United States. A general proclamation on new CAFTA rules of origin could then be made.
Dominican Republic losing ground on slow CAFTA implementation (Country Report)
29 August 2006 - The Dominican Republic's performance on the US apparel market decidedly weakened in the first half of 2006. Shipments into US ports fell 20 per cent while business leaders complained of high operating costs and an unfavourable US dollar exchange rate. Talks aimed at CAFTA implementation are focusing on the Republic's insistence on using outside pocketing material - opposing a US request.
US House approves CAFTA import duty refunds
31 July 2006 - The retroactive refund of import duties that were previously paid due to staggered implementation of CAFTA was Friday agreed in the US House of Representatives. Rules of origin on pocket materials was also agreed in return for compensation deals with Central American countries.
