Banana exports are paralyzed

Banana exports from the Dominican Republic are stalled because President Leonel Fernandez has privatized the Manzanillo port to an Atlantic Port Corporation, which prevents banana producers of using the dock to export their production.

The Associations of Montecristeños Banana Producers and Exporters (Asexbam) and the National Banana Growers reported that banana growers are barred from export.

They affirm that the port has been militarized by the so called Atlantic Port Corporation, so that is why exporters cannot enter the dock.

The ASEXBAM opposes the privatization of the port, because banana producers were not considered when given the concession, declared Ramon Faña, president of the union.

"If we are the ones who generated jobs and have worked for over 50 years in the production of bananas and plantains, why we are not taken into account and have to give away the port to a group of entrepreneurs who have the province of Santiago and now want to steal the only thing that belongs to the Linea Noreste?", questioned Faña.

The arrangement of Leonel affects banana producers and bananas in a region which only depends on this production.

This is another element that threatens the success of Danilo Medina and the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) in the next election.

Source: Fresh Plaza

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