On Friday, Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe and members of the Private Sector OF Economic Forum discussed, inter alia, of the trade imbalance between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the second partner, with more than a billion dollars of imports and a trade deficit for Haiti estimated at 95% of this amount.

They also identified some solutions to rebalance these exchanges including strengthening the customs to better fight against smuggling, a loss of income for the Treasury estimated at over 250 million U.S. dollars annually and a major barriers to employment. Laurent Lamothe stressed the positive actions of the government to fight against smuggling, while waiting to better control the border (± 350km) with nearly 60 crossing points uncontrolled and only 4 official crossing points.

Moreover, the Prime Minister recalled that the agricultural sector was on the agenda of priorities for a sector that i

for him must play a key role in the economic development of Haiti. He mentioned the possibility of beneficial partnership for Haiti with the Dominicans, citing as an example that every year, 375 million eggs are imported on a domestic consumption of 400 million eggs "We would prefer that these companies are developing partnerships to produce these eggs in Haiti," adding "We are determined to protect domestic investments," while noting that the draft finance Act 2013-2014" takes into account the interests of those who produce in Haiti. "A budget that is still not passed by parliament and forced the government to extend it until the 2012-2013 budget...

Philippe Armand, President of AMCHAM member of FESP deplored that so far we have neglected the domestic production and called to vote investment incentives laws, in order to assist the Government in its efforts to strengthen the economy.

Stéphane Coles, President of the FESP, whose members represent 85% of the taxes paid to the state, says that beyond the border control and compliance with Haitian law, the search for reciprocity and fairness, the priority paths to follow, to strengthen the Haitian economy, noting that members of the Forum, wish all, the best conditions to continue to create jobs.

At the end of the Forum, the Prime Minister, the heads of associations and groups have agreed on the need to work together.

Member of FESP :

Association Maritime Haïtienne (AMARH) ; Association Professionnelle des Banques (APB) ; Association Touristique d'Haïti (ATH) ; Centre pour la Libre Enterprise et la Démocratie (CLED) ; American Chamber of Commerce in Haiti (AMCHAM) ; Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie d'Haïti (CCIH) ; Chambre Franco-Haïtienne de Commerce et d'Industrie (CFHCI) ; and the GROUPS : Les moulins d’Haïti ; Boulos ; Coles ; Sogebank ; Unibank ; Digicel ; Comme il Faut ; DEKA ; MSC and Cimenterie National (CINA).

SL/ HaitiLibre