The Dominican Republic is seeking a consensus with the Caribbean Community countries (Caricom) to establish a joint negotiation that will lead to an Economic Association Agreement with the European Union. 

Juan Guiliani who is the Foreign Relations Ministry’s Head of Economic Topics and Trade Negotiations said that negotiations with the EU had provided a list of excluded goods that reaches an estimated average of 15% for the entire Caribbean region. 

Thought to be considered flexible for the free trade pact, the Caricom countries that are to be faced with an imminent trade opening have differences over the list’s size. 

 The agreement with the EU will commence on January 1^st of next year. The 8^th round of negotiations between the EU and the regional consultation entity Cariforum is taking place in Trinidad and Tobago.

(Does this mean we could expect PG Tips and Chocolate Hobnobs in the near future in the DR?)