Dominican Republic Builds 'Economic Wall'
The Dominican Republic is moving forward with plans for an "economic wall" on its border with Haiti, citing security and migration concerns. The tighter border controls could have downstream effects on regional supply networks, particularly impacting labor flows and overland freight for vendors with binational operations.
The "economic wall" is a new initiative involving a private investment of over $300 million to create a network of dry ports. This project is distinct from the physical border barrier, which has been under construction since February 2022, and aims to formalize commerce and create development hubs under a free-trade zone model. The physical wall is a nearly 13-foot-high structure with a concrete base and a metal fence topped with wire, projected to cost over $32 million. The plan includes covering about half of the 392-kilometer border with the barrier, 19 surveillance towers, and 10 access gates, supplemented by drones, cameras, and movement sensors. Trade between the two nations is heavily imbalanced. In 2024, the Dominican Republic exported $896 million in goods to Haiti, which is one of its top export markets, while Haiti'
