What will they export to Haiti next? According to the Center for Exports and Investment (CEI-RD), between years 2000 and 2010, the Dominican Republic exported US$1.23 million worth of ice to Haiti. This is beside the informal trade between the Dominican Republic and Haiti that includes basic food items. The country also sold US$8.48 million worth of dried coconuts to the United States, Canada, Haiti, Mexico and Italy.

Do you see something wrong with this picture. Why is Haiti importing ice? I can see the need for ice following the 2010 earthquake; but why exporting US$1.23 million worth of it? Is this something that could not have been produced in any other regions in Haiti?


What about the Dried Coconut? The report also indicated that Haiti imported dried coconuts as well from the Dominican Republic. Do we need more coconut to the point where we need to import it?


The country is using money it does not have to import products that could have easily been produced at home. Was that a smart move?


That can only reinforce our dependency on the Dominican Republic and the world on the one hand, and assure that our mothers, fathers, sons and daughters continue to risk their lives to reach the neighboring country in search of jobs, and be subject to all types of humiliations.

What do our leaders intend to do about this? They probably have more important issues to deal with, such as accusing each other or playing the usual Haitian politics.