TGA Applauds Docking of Dominican Republic Into U.S./Central America Free Trade Agreement
AGREEMENT BENEFITS U.S. TRAVEL GOODS INDUSTRY

Princeton, NJ - 15 March 2004 - Travel Goods Association President Michele Marini Pittenger applauded today's successful conclusion of negotiations to docking the Dominican Republic into the U.S./Central America Free Trade Agreement (FTA). "Many TGA members have important trade relationships with the Dominican Republic," noted Pittenger. "The travel goods provisions in the final agreement ensure that the FTA is a win-win for both the U.S. travel goods industry and the Dominican Republic." Pittenger continued, "On behalf of the U.S. travel goods industry, I wish to express my appreciation for the hard work of the U.S. government in ensuring that this agreement benefits all parts of the U.S. travel goods industry."

The final agreement makes ALL U.S. travel goods (both textile and non-textile) exports to and imports from the Dominican Republic duty-free immediately under very flexible rules of origin. According to Thomas Sandler, TGA Chair and President of Samsonite Americas, "This is a huge victory for TGA, the American consumer, and the U.S. travel goods industry. U.S. travel goods companies imported more than $10 million worth of product from the Dominican Republic (DR) during 2003. Much of this product is made with U.S. parts and materials. For the first time ever, this agreement also opens the Dominican market to U.S.-made travel goods."

The agreement includes strong and effective provisions to improve labor rights in the Dominican Republic by requiring the Dominican Republic to enforce its current labor laws or face fines. In addition, the agreement contains specific language barring the abrogation of current laws and provides significant resources and support to assist the Dominican Republic in the enforcement of its laws. Sandler stated that, "This agreement embodies almost every aspect of TGA's new trade policy as well as the needs of the U.S. travel goods industry, promoting reciprocal free trade while establishing effective and enforceable codes of conduct on labor that reflect the corporate social responsibility goals of the association and its members."

Continued Sandler, "This FTA is vital to our industry. TGA and its members strongly urge Congress to approve the U.S./Central America Free Trade Agreement (including the DR) as soon as possible."

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The Travel Goods Association is the voice of the U.S. travel goods industry. A national trade association, TGA represents the manufacturers, distributors and retailers of luggage, leather goods, business and travel accessories, business and computer cases, handbags and other products for people who travel.

TGA Applauds Docking of Dominican Republic Into U.S./Central America Free Trade Agreement AGREEMENT BENEFITS U.S. TRAVEL GOODS INDUSTRY

TGA Applauds Docking of Dominican Republic Into U.S./Central America Free Trade Agreement
AGREEMENT BENEFITS U.S. TRAVEL GOODS INDUSTRY