Gustavo Tavares, President of AMCHAMDR, delivered the welcoming remarks. He referred to the need for a comprehensive transformation that addresses both revenue generation for the state and how the state executes public spending.
Santo Domingo, August 31, 2016.—Magín Díaz, Director General of Internal Revenue, was the speaker and guest of honor at the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic's monthly luncheon for August, his first public presentation to the national business community. The luncheon, held in the Garden Tent of the Hotel El Embajador, welcomed government officials, business representatives, AMCHAMDR members, and guests.
Prior to the presentation by Magín Diaz, Director General of Internal Revenue, Gustavo Tavares, President of AMCHAMDR, welcomed those present and emphasized: "Everyone here knows that AMCHAMDR has always advocated for the application of the rules of law and democratic institutions. We are an active member of the Coalition for Justice and Citizen Security and, through it, we are part of the "Initiative for Democratic Institutions in the Dominican Republic," which seeks to increase social trust in the bodies of the democratic system," he indicated.
There are currently major challenges in this area, especially with regard to the formation of the High Courts and the Central Electoral Board. In the former case, the initiative's aim is to contribute to strengthening the justice system to increase public confidence in its decisions and reinforce the rule of law. We have also offered our collaboration to ensure that the Senate of the Republic selects the members of the Board so that those appointed are the result of a process that adheres to the law, imbued with high social legitimacy, and guided by criteria that allow the actions of that body to serve to strengthen the country's democratic governance.
President Medina announced a few days ago that, and I quote: "From now on, anyone who deforests will be imprisoned." Our support goes to his government, and especially to the new Minister of the Environment, Francisco Domínguez Brito, in his work to pursue and punish those who attack our natural resources. The business community is aware that our development cannot come at their expense, but rather in a way that guarantees their sustainable use. And we extend this support and our willingness to collaborate with the authorities to other areas of action, such as the fight against corruption and poverty, or increasing public transparency, to name two, Tavares emphasized.
During his presentation, Magín Diaz, Director General of Internal Revenue, stated that paying taxes is not a manifestation of solidarity or a private concession. It is a fundamental duty established in the Constitution. Therefore, as the Tax Administration, we have the obligation to enforce compliance with our legal system and to pursue all necessary actions and resources to combat tax evasion. This is done without privileges for anyone or discriminatory treatment among taxpayers.
He also reiterated that one of the goals to which he will dedicate all his efforts is to increase the perception of risk faced by those who opt for tax evasion and avoidance. "I will do what I have to do, always within the framework of the law, to put the DGII in its rightful place, and without accepting pressure from anyone or any sector," Diaz stated.
"I am certain that a high percentage of the nation's GDP is represented in this room; and that the majority of wage earners here, including myself, belong to the privileged group of those in the top 11th and 3rd percentile of the population. We are a small group of fortunate individuals in a society that still exhibits many shortcomings. That is why the change our country needs must begin with us. It is a moral and social justice obligation to make the fight against tax evasion a challenge for all Dominicans."
