We’ll have to accept what’s been accorded in DR-Cafta agreements

http://www.dominicantoday.com 18/07/06

SANTO DOMINGO.- The exigencies imposed on the country by the pharmaceutical industry to be able to initiate the Free Trade Agreement between Dominican Republic, Central America and the United States (DR-CAFTA) are a lawsuit that cannot be negotiated, considers economist Bernardo Vega.

When analyzing the difficulties the country has had to put DR-Cafta in effect, Vega said “Central America yielded in the pharmaceutical aspect and now Dominican Republic has no alternative”

"The North American pharmaceutical companies try to obtain its objectives in the Commerce World Wide Organization (OMC), in that case they negotiate with Pakistan, India, Egypt, Brazil and Argentina, not obtaining their wishes in that instance then they try to get it in bilateral agreements or during the implementation process of these agreements.

"In this item we are going to lose because it will harm the Dominican consumer", said Bernardo Vega during a channel 11 interview.

Bernardo Vega said DR-CAFTA offers more advantages than disadvantages, and that many internal pressures exist at the moment to finish its implementation because waiting is harming the textile sector, and the investments atmosphere in general.

"I anticipate there will be reductions in the cost of some products, more foreign and local investment, and will be greater institutionalism in general terms", Vega ended.