On Thursday, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, at the Metropolitan Industrial Park SONAPI in the presence of several members of the Government, including the acting Minister of Trade and Industry also Minister of Economy and Finance, the Minister of Health, the Minister for the Status of Women and the Director General of the Customs Administration, presented the first Bus prototype Made in Haiti, by a young Haitian aged of 30, Jean-Paul Coutard.

The bus baptized "La fierté haïtienne" (The Haitian pride) which required five years of reflection and study and two years of work, was designed by Jean-Paul Coutard, having not obtained bank credit, he had exhausted his savings and those of his family and friends to realize his childhood dream, a dream of 160,000 dollars U.S. "The cost is high because it is a prototype [...] parts, custom, were purchased by unit," indicated Jean-Paul Coutard stating that in case of series production of the bus, the cost would be divided and the processing time reduced to one month."

Under the metal body of "The Haitian pride," a 300-hp diesel engine and chassis doubled. And, for better visibility, a rear view camera for the controls of driver. Manufactured from the assembly of parts purchased abroad, the bus is equipped with, among other things with, televisions, sound system, custom lamps, window laminated four whose four for exit, sanitary facilities, 54 individual reclining seats, to ensure relaxation, security and comfort of travelers.

During his presentation, Jean-Paul Coutard clarified that the bus will undergo several tests that take into account the views of users, to improve the prototype and also put on the market transport means much more economic in Haiti. He also stressed the need to establish an assembly plant in Haiti to reduce the cost and time to manufacture automobiles.

Wilson Laleau, acting Minister of Commerce and Industry, affirmed the commitment of the Government Martelly-Lamothe to mentor the young Coutard in its projects "The Ministry of Commerce and Industry will make available to him a land, in order that he launch, in cooperation with the Haitian government, the first Haitian micro park dedicated. The Ministry will also allow him to participate in additional training abroad and attend the bus manufacturing. We support him in the search of partnerships for th verification and certification of the bus," said the Minister Laleau, who also invited young designers of innovative projects to make themselves known, so that they also benefit from the support of the Government.

HL/ SL / HaitiLibre