Thursday, Sen. Bill Nelson introduced in the US Congress, the project (S.503) of renewal and extension of the HOPE II Act (Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity Through Partnership for Encouragement) which expires in 2018 and the extension of the HELP Act (Haiti Economic Lift Program) which expires in 2020. This bill, once accepted and ratified by both houses of Congress will extend the deadline until 2030.

Recall that the HOPE Act allows the US to import duty free a quota of garments from Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-10134-haiti-economy-new-limit-for-apparel-exports-from-haiti.html as to the HELP Act, it seeks to extend until 2020, HOPE I and II passed in 2008.

Particularity, it is expected in this extension of opening access to other manufacturing sectors such as manufacturing of leather products and footwear, which will create more jobs in Haiti.

Recall that from January 2014 to September 2014, total employment in the textile industry increased from 32.655 (26.052 including thanks to HOPE) to 36,340 (including 27,741 thanks to HOPE). The textile sector, which represents 90% of exports of Haiti is estimated at nearly 800 million US dollars.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-12868-haiti-economy-renewal-and-extension-of-the-hope-ii-and-help-acts.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-10134-haiti-economy-new-limit-for-apparel-exports-from-haiti.html

TB/ HaitiLibre