ONEC defends the integrity of the commercial sector against reports of illicit trade
The National Organization of Commercial Enterprises (ONEC) reaffirmed its institutional commitment to collaborate with the Dominican authorities in the frontal fight against illicit trade, tax evasion, and any irregularity in the handling of goods. The entity highlighted the importance of maintaining a transparent market that complies with current legal regulations.
However, the organization called for caution when making public allegations. The ONEC emphasized that it is essential to avoid linking supermarket chains and formal businesses to alleged schemes of diverting products intended for the Haitian market, especially when there is no clear traceability to support such accusations.
The importance of evidence in the commercial sector
The guild emphasized that, in recent public debates, it has been admitted that there is a lack of conclusive evidence linking products under transit regime to Haiti with items found on local shelves. For ONEC, the mere presence of a product in an establishment does not constitute sufficient evidence to determine its origin, the regime under which it was imported, or whether there were irregularities in its distribution.
Any attribution of responsibility must be based on verifiable facts and sufficient evidence that allows for clearly establishing the link between the goods and the indicated establishments.
ONECRequirement of rigor and due process
The organization urged that any findings related to possible illicit activities be channeled directly through the General Directorate of Customs and the competent authorities. In this way, the authorities will be able to carry out the necessary technical verifications and apply the corresponding sanctions under the framework of due process.
- Full support for rigorous and transparent research.
- Protection of corporate reputation against unsubstantiated generalizations.
- Defense of traceability as a key tool to combat smuggling.
- Law enforcement for any actor, regardless of their commercial profile.
Finally, the ONEC reiterated that combating illicit trade is a priority, but that it must be carried out based on solid investigations that protect the integrity of the formal sector, thus guaranteeing a fair business environment that adheres to the law.
