Fuel stations will continue to accept card payments; Government sets up a dialogue table

The Dominican government, through the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs and Pro Consumidor, received a commission of fuel retailers represented by the National Association of Gasoline Retailers (Adanegas) this Tuesday, where they agreed on a 30-day period to renegotiate the commissions obtained by card payment service providers for purchases at fuel stations.

The Government was represented by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs, Yayo Sanz Lovatón, and the Executive Director of Pro Consumidor, Eddy Alcántara.

While the Adanegas commission was composed of its president, Juan Elías Pérez; the second vice president, Juan Carlos Mata; the board member, Dr. Kaira Vázquez; as well as Anulfo Rivas, Dr. Rafael Polanco, Adalberto Arias, and Nelson Marcelino, representing the association.

During the meeting, the authorities reiterated their willingness to act as mediators between the parties involved, with the purpose of fostering an understanding through dialogue, within the framework of free enterprise and free competition.

As part of the process, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs will subsequently convene the main card payment service providers to continue the conversations and facilitate the search for consensus-based solutions.

While these meetings are taking place, normality in the card payment service is maintained at the country’s fuel stations.

This first meeting was private in nature. In due course, the Ministry will report on the progress of this dialogue process.

The role of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs is to ensure that the parties reach an understanding that preserves the normal functioning of trade, within the framework of free enterprise and free competition, and protects the interests of Dominican consumers.