business - Haiti Observer Blog

A trade mission to four cities in Canada took place between November 19 and 23. Within the delegation were those wishing to strengthen the trade relations between Haiti and the North American country. 40 representatives of Haitian businesses and the wider public sector flew to Canada to be part of the effort.

The cities of Ontario, Quebec, Montreal and Ottawa hosted the members of the Haitian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCCI), which had its start nearly ten years ago, and continues to foster good business relations between the two countries. The hope of this trip was to stir up continued interest in the creation of business and partnership opportunities between Canada and Haiti.

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One of the most successful companies that has been operating in the Haitian market has not been feeling very good lately. For the past three Months ending in September, 2013 revenues for Digicel fell by over $7million to $691million. This is definitely. The number is much worst in Haiti for Digicel. "Tande"...

Mezanmi Yon Nouvel Konsa Pa Ka Pote Denis O'Brien bien Di Tou

The performance of Digicel in Haiti performance dipped sharply. The leading cellphone company who at one time was the only player in the Haitian market watched its sales fell by 11 percent to $126 million.

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The government of Haiti (GOH) is always looking for new ways to grow its economy. Of the sectors of tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing, most of its time and money has been spent on attracting tourist dollars. Now the question posed by the GOH is, can a newly-created sports sector revive the Haitian economy?

In response, GOH ministries and other government departments are holding the 1st Sport Business Forum at the Petion-Ville Royal Oasis Hotel. The forum will convene sports executives and former and current players in professional sports: National Basketball Association (NBA), National Basketball Retired Players (NBRPA), and Harlem Globetrotters.

Besides participating in the forum, the NBRPA are touring as Legends of Basketball. They will visit hospitals and healthcare clinics in the poverty-stricken Central Plateau Region. They are partnering with Medishare, which is committed to offering a full complement of healthcare services in the area.

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Here is something that might be of value to people interested in accessing funding for a Haiti project. The businesses can have access to loans from various financial institutions in Haiti, thanks to a USD 26-million housing finance under the name "REBATI Fund".

My job is to bring these information to you. However, if you are interested, you need to make the proper connections to learn more about it.

According to information received, three major organizations got together to offer this opportunity: The Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund

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Haiti's Renewal Alliance (HRA) is going to organize its 5th Annual Haiti Business, Investment Expo & Conference in Washington, DC on June 6 and 7, 2014 at Walter E. Washington Convention Center, USA. Before this annual meet, the HRA has arranged an opening meet at Karibe Convention Center, Port au Prince on January 17 & 18, 2014 with an object to connect potential investors with Haitian entrepreneurs and government leaders so that they may have a positive impact on Haiti. This is a timely approach by HRA to include interested business people and investors from other Caribbean countries.

It is expected that if this effort can successfully promote and sustain development as anticipated, it will boost healthy competitiveness in the entire Caribbean region. The upcoming expo at Washington, DC on June 6 and 7, 2014 will focus mainly on finding ways to connect Caribbean region with global development and solving complex issues concerning investment growth, tourism, infrastructure, energy, technology and agriculture. The event will facilitate unique access, foster collaboration and partnerships, brokering deals, broaden the reach and encourage diaspora engagement through best practices.

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Venezuela is one of the biggest contributors to the recovery efforts happening in Haiti since the 2010 quake. Involved in several projects to develop Haiti's infrastructure, they are pumping $341 million USD into housing, tourism, and healthcare services.

After a visit to Caracas in early October, Haitian Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe, made an announcement that the government of Venezuela (GOV) has committed to building 4,400 new homes in Haiti, at a cost of $260 million USD. The bulk of the housing, 3,900 housing units, is to be built in Port-au-Prince that was hardest hit during the 7.0 magnitude trembler. Île a Vache, on track for tourism development, will be given 500 housing units. Ile a Vache is also to receive another $66 million USD from GOV, in part, for a new resort hotel. It doesn't stop there. Venezuela's Development Bank of Venezuela will pay for healthcare clinics for a cost of $15 million USD.

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Florida International University's Working Group for Haiti sponsored the Kiskeya CEO Summit in Port-au-Prince on September 3, 2013. Officials from the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Banks' International Finance Corporation sat on the sidelines to witness the discussions, affecting Haitian-Dominican Republic (DR) trade relations. Bilateral donors were also present.

Both Haitian and DR businesspeople discussed a just-released study on trade impediments between the two countries. Import-export relations have been strained due to, in particular, Haiti's sanction against poultry products exported by the DR. The reason behind the sanction was an outbreak of bird virus in the DR, which was quickly contained. The government of Haiti (GOH), however, refused to rescind the ban, causing tension between the two governments.

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The government of Haiti (GOH) has allocated funding to General Administration of Customs (AGD) for recruitment of patrol agents. The first class of 125 graduated in June 2013. The graduation ceremony was held at Royal Oasis Hotel with Prime Minister Lamothe; Economy and Finance Minister Laleau, and AGD Director Jean-Baptiste present. Lamothe encouraged the graduates to represent GOH with ". . . patriotism and professionalism" as they carry out their duties.

GOH recognizes they must provide support to the AGD to defeat smuggling and bring in more customs revenue. Lamothe said the patrol agents are to serve two purposes: one, protect the borders from smuggling activities, and, two, reassert the sovereignty of GOH.

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President Martelly met with 54 business associations to seek solutions to informal sector challenges. The central need for small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) is for credit at favorable interest rates.
Also present were ministers of Women's Affairs, Economy and Finance, and Crop Production, along with custom officials and Central Bank's CEO.

The Haiti informal sector is a non-aggregated group, and they account for 80% of the workforce. Underdeveloped SMEs have been ignored until the 2010 earthquake forced the issue of growing the economy.

The government of Haiti (GOH) has developed an agenda for SMEs, some of which includes:

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The Dominican Republic officials received a proposal from the Haitian officials that the markets which appear on the Haiti-Dominican border twice every week be cut down to once a week. This information was revealed by Luis Rodriguez on Tuesday July 2, 2013. Luis Rodriguez is the Agriculture Minister of Dominican Republic. The Haiti-Dominican border markets show up on Monday and Friday every week.

The Dominican government on the other had responded by stating that it does not want to trim down the trade relations between the two countries and hence, it will remain the way it is. Luis Rodriguez stated from National Palace that the Haitian government wants to cut the trades to once a week probably because they want to reduce non-payment of taxes.

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