Haiti Private Sector development with Ag. Focus

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The Next Step....

Haiti Small and Medium Business Program:

Introduction/Title Program:
Haiti Small and Medium Business (SME) Program is to:
(a) To capitalize US investment in Haiti for Private Sector Development and Economic Growth,

(b) To remove US import restrictions and tariffs on ALL Haitian goods [exported to the US].

The SME Initiative will be a partnership between the US and Haitian private sectors groups, - with a focus on farming groups and initiatives,- with the goal to organize, expand and strengthen US and Haitian economic ties.
Program Focus: Priority Capitalization of:
&#9632; Public-Private Partnerships (or PPP's) Programs, &#9632; Agricultural Development (Environmental Protection, Conservation, food security), &#9632; Renewable Energy Development.

Background:

The SME Program is a direct response to nearly non-existent financing/credit, lack of investment funds, and limited small/medium business entrepreneurial development, the traditional backbone of a viable economy.

The group is a partnership between producers and manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, importers and exporters.

Haiti's current overall Private Sector Financing/Credit options are provided through the following:

- US and EU sponsored micro-loans, which though beneficial tend to limit economic growth and expansion, with credit limits not above US$ 2,500 - and,

- [financing/credit] afforded to exactly 15 corporations/families (according to former Haitian PM, Mr. Alexis).

Cause:

Haitian Small/Medium business Enterprises have either no credit options or credit options with collateral request and terms that are outrageously unaffordable.

For example, - loan repayment term limit may be 2 years with rates between 20 percent to 30 percent.

This tends to reinforce the status quo and prevent economic growth.

Effect:

The SME Program will serve and capitalize an underserved business sector, - for the following:
• To support and promote Competition, Innovation and Technology;
• To create jobs, - and
• To increase income (standard of living) through improved economic prospects over the short and long-terms

a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.haitianamericanchamber.com">www.haitianamericanchamber.com

11767 South Dixie Hwy. #275 Miami, FL 33156
info at haitianamericanchamber.com
The Next Step....

Haiti Small/Medium Business Program:

The Haiti Fund will support US based businesses/Investments in partnership with Haiti based private sector, for the following:

• To create jobs via private sector business development;
• To supplement the recent (2008) USAID US$ 2 million Haiti Investment Fund;
• To provide credit/capital to increase US investments in Haiti's private sector SMEs;
• To spur US/Haiti SME partnerships towards production increase, value-added production and enterprise growth;
• To increase available credit to qualified Haitian loan micro-loan borrowers,- And thereby, expand entrepreneurial enterprises at the local and rural levels.

Program Priority: The Program will prioritize funding awards and guarantees to enterprises which contribute towards:
&#9830; Economic and energy self-sufficiency &#9830; Agricultural/arboricultural improvements and soil remediation; &#9830; Reduction of fossil fuel imports &#9830; Increased food security though local cultivation/production.

Program Mission: To capitalize US SME projects in Haiti which promote the following:
• Create jobs and raise productivity
• Support and introduce market value chain development,
• Export value-added within the local, regional and global economies.

The Program will prioritize enterprises with existing assets and sustainable economic activities to leverage for expeditious return on investment.

Projects will contribute towards a synchronized expansion of market oriented activities.

The result will gain economies of scale and synergy by combining all value chain to support Haiti's market activities.

The Program seeks:
• To introduce competitive and innovative projects capable of responding to demands for goods and services;
• To provide increased market information and access to the global market;
• To increase trade, investment and participation in market activities;
• To encourage entrepreneurial activities/enterprises, - (which will increase employment opportunities).

Emphasis will be on large scale agri-business Projects/Programs that will create jobs, offer production diversification with the inclusion of Haiti's 70 percent agricultural labor force with increased farmer participation to benefit from domestic and international agribusiness markets.

Thereby, simultaneously improving and expanding farmers agricultural output, market and income, - while providing the partnership model aimed towards a profitable approach for all stakeholders, - with the formal and informal private sector[s] as partners/shareholders and beneficiaries to contribute towards viable investment strategies.

Program Target [Enterprises/Groups]: &#9679; Farms (sustenance farms and/or small familial farms)and farming cooperatives; &#9679; Government owned corporations/businesses for public-private partnerships (PPP); &#9679; US businesses and US/Haitian-American (Diaspora) SMEs in partnership with Haiti based businesses.

Program Services: The US/Haiti SME Program will model, follow and implement guidelines of the US Small and Medium Business Administration (SBA).

- Tools: The US/Haiti SME Program will aid, counsel, assist and protect US interests and that of their Haitian business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise, maintain and strengthen the overall Haitian economy.

- Program Resources and Outreach: Through extensive local banking partners' network with public and private organizations, the Program will service 80 percent of Haiti's SMEs. This will provide US businesses increased access to Haiti's marketplace, - while providing local partners access to the global market.

Program Implementation: [US Senatorial/Congressional] Federal Mandate for a Guarantee of loans/funds for US and Haitian-American Businesses operating in Haiti through suggested partners:

• Overseas Private Investment Corp (OPIC) with the OPIC Political Risk Insurance Program Coverage, - and with US Senatorial/Congressional guarantee of funds;

• The Import/Export Bank reestablishment of its Haiti related operations, - with US Senatorial/Congressional guaranteed funding for awarded funds;

• US and Haiti Private banking institutions, - contingent upon applications of US banking rules and regulations,- with terms and rates subject to US market.

Fund Amount: suggested US$ 250 million/year renewable over a period of 5 years guaranteed through existing insurance programs.

Funds will increase incrementally with investments, loan repayment, etc...

Program description: Capitalization/Investment of US/Haiti small and medium business partnerships.

The program will be designed to meet a business's key financing needs including:

• debt financing (loans)
• equity financing (investment/seed money)
• surety bonds
• Insurance Coverage

Objective: To develop and increase sustainable economic activities and the income derived there from, - via the capitalization of US SMEs operating in Haiti.

The Program will encourage the immediate sharing/implementation of intellectual property and the introduction/implementation of US technology to Haiti for overall improved economic and operations' performance.

Priority awards beneficiaries will contribute towards the following:

&#9830; To strengthen and optimize existing enterprises to introduce expeditious value-added production and leverage.

&#9830; To establish partnerships with Haiti's 70 percent agricultural workforce.

Therefore, Priority Awards Beneficiaries will include:

• Public-Private Partnerships (PPP):

(a) To optimize existing assets, operations, production development, diversification and value-added production;
(b) To improve the standard of living with increased wages, employment opportunities, training of labor force;

© To allow the Government of Haiti (GOH) to better serve its constituents with increased tax revenues from private sector development and contribution (tax collection).

• Agricultural/Arboricultural Operations:
This component will include soil remediation and related supportive programs/projects to contribute towards improved [Agricultural/arboricultural] practices, and simultaneously:
(a) To expand agricultural development for the following incentives:
(b) To better serve the local population,
(c) To introduce value-added cultivation/production, and production diversification;
(d) To introduce export value-added for global market participation [with export of production excess].

(e) To benefit/include the 70 % [Haitian] agricultural workforce: Beyond actual cultivation/production, US/Haiti agricultural partnerships will increase production and improve practices to increase yields and revenue

38;#9679; Renewable Energy Development:
To contribute to US/ Haiti energy Independence and reduction of fuel imports with the introduction of new technology and the development of renewable energy sources, with the following:
(a) To promote, establish and contribute towards alternative energy sources;
(b) To maximize existing sustainable alternatives to petroleum;
© To introduce new and proven technologies to the Haitian market for Haitian consumption and export;
(d) To invite US and Haitian award beneficiaries to contribute towards the Haiti Fund.
Goal: to achieve significant economic development via the introduction of US/Haiti SME Partnerships and the implementation of new technologies.

Beneficiaries: US and Haiti via economic growth and development with increased tax base and improved standard of living, social and economic stability in the Haiti

a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.haitianamericanchamber.com">www.haitianamericanchamber.com

11767 South Dixie Hwy. #275 Miami, FL 33156
info at haitianamericanchamber.com

Partner Companies:
Beyond the companies supportive of the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce (www.haitian-american chamber.com), listed below are some small and medium U.S Business Enterprises interested in investing in Haiti:
• Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida.

Florida
• The Appropriate Infrastructure Development Group (AIDG).

Boston, MA
• Bel Soley Inc. Boston.

MA
• Bel Soley Ayiti SA, Haiti
• BioTek Solutions, Inc. Florida
• BioTek Haiti S.A. Haiti
• Bruce Enterprises, LLC. Texas
• Ciment du Sud S.A. (A Manuthor S.A./Cemex partnership Company), Haiti
• Equipment Pipeline, Inc. Florida
• First Coast BioFuels, LLC. Florida
• Haiti Democracy Project.

Washington DC
• Haiti Trade Center.

Florida
• Haiti Transport S.A. Haiti
• KCJ Vanilla Company.

PA
• Manuthor S.A. Haiti
• MEE Productions, PA
• North Star RMS, Texas
• Saj Rice/Sugar S.A. Haiti
• Saint Leo University HEP. Florida
• The Haiti League.

NJ
• Vulcain Export/Import Company, Florida
• Vulcain Transport Co. Florida
• Vulgus Construction S.A. Florida and Haiti

Haitian-american Chamber Of Commece, January 31 2009, 12:28 PM

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