October 31, 2005

United States and Dominican Republic Sign Partnership to Secure and Facilitate Travel and Trade

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Assistant Commissioner E. Keith Thomson, Office of International Affairs, and Director General Miguel Cocco Guerrero, General Directorate of Customs, Ministry of Finance of the Dominican Republic, signed a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic.  This CMAA is designed to assist the two countries in improving the flow of travel and trade while securing them against terrorism and illegal activities.

“This Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement with the Dominican Republic Customs will enhance our passenger and cargo processing.  It will open the channels of communication to facilitate the secure and rapid exchange of information.  It will protect the commerce between our two nations from terrorists and the terrorist threat,” Commissioner Robert C. Bonner stated.

This CMAA will allow Customs officials in both countries to exchange information, intelligence, and documents that will prevent Customs offenses.  In addition, this agreement will provide a basis for cooperation and investigation in the areas of trade fraud, money laundering, smuggling, export controls, and related security.  The CMAA will be mutually beneficial to the U.S. and the Dominican Republic by enhancing each country’s ability to enforce Customs laws.

During the event, Dominican Customs Director Miguel Cocco explained the impact the agreement will have on Dominican ports.  “If Dominican ports do not obtain certification, our exporters will be seriously impacted because in order to access the US market they will have to do it through nations that do have certified ports.  This would result in excessively high costs and will eliminate competitiveness”. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has signed agreements with a number of other Customs administrations worldwide.  As of today, 57 agreements have been signed..