Representatives of the private sector from Haiti and the Dominican Republic virtually met with the State Department to continue discussions on developing a more secure and prosperous border for the two countries. This was the fourth such meeting convened by the United States Government since June 2019 which included the participation of the two American ambassadors, the Assistant Under Secretary of State for Haiti, Canada and the Caribbean, and other officials of the State Department.

Representatives of the European Union and the Inter-American Development Bank provided an overview of their cross-border programs in the region.

Discussions focused on the importance for the two countries to work together to advance initiatives aimed at increasing transparency, security, combating and eliminating smuggling, and formalizing trade along the border between the two Nations of the island.

Participants also discussed the challenges associated with Covid-19 and reaffirmed their commitment to transform the common border into an engine of economic prosperity for the Haitian and Dominican peoples.

IH/ iciHaiti