AIRD joins the fight against illicit trade and product counterfeiting
The Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD) has reaffirmed its commitment to national authorities to eradicate illicit trade, smuggling, and product counterfeiting. The entity highlighted that close collaboration between the public and private sectors is the key to shielding the local market and strengthening enforcement actions.
During the recent session of the Inter-institutional Public-Private Prevention Council, the AIRD formally endorsed the initiative to integrate the regulations of the Penal Code, the Anti-Money Laundering Law, and the Asset Forfeiture Law. This effort seeks to provide the State with greater operational capacity to rigorously pursue and sanction those who operate outside the law.
Combating illicit trade is a task that requires the commitment of both authorities and the private sector. From the industry, we support these efforts because they protect consumers and companies that invest, create jobs, and comply with their obligations.
Mario Pujols, Executive Vice President of the AIRD
Impact on industry and the economy
The association stressed that illegal practices not only represent unfair competition for national production, but also directly jeopardize the health and safety of citizens, in addition to significantly reducing the State’s tax revenues.
In this regard, the AIRD positively valued the Council’s strategy, which prioritizes the exchange of information and the effective application of the law. According to what was stated by Mario Pujols, the current approach allows for attacking both the sale of illegal products and the financial networks that fund these illicit operations.
Institutional coordination
The Council, which operates under the framework of Law No. 17-19 on the Eradication of Illicit Trade, is directed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic and the secretariat of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs. In this regard, the Dominican industry recognized the fundamental role of key figures such as Prosecutor Yeni Berenice Reynoso and Minister Eduardo Sanz Lovatón in structuring these public policies.
As part of its active role, the AIRD has committed to providing accurate data on fraud modalities and vulnerable products, thus facilitating the work of the authorities in their control, prevention, and oversight tasks throughout the national territory.
