Linda, Thank you for your quick response. Actually, your...

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Reply to Msg 12905

Linda,

Thank you for your quick response.

Actually, your summary of current and past U.S. activities simply reinforce the great need for a Haiti inclusive and independent Private Sector Initiative.

We in the Diaspora must seek to work collectively towards improving the system.

Note that the U.S. has the capacity to fund this intiative.Thereby, the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce Haiti Private Sector Initiave to work towards the establishment of finance/credit for small and medium business enterprises (SMEs) in Haiti.

To expedite the intiative, we seek [program] implementation via existing venues.

The Haiti Private Sector Initiave mission: Job creation via the following:

(a) Capitalization of U.S and/or Haitian-American investments in Haiti,- to include local Haitian SMEs for affordable finance/credit,- which is currently non-existent and/or non-affordable to SMEs in Haiti.

Note that 80 % of the workforce in any working economy works directly for small and medium business enterprises.

We ought to work towards similar developments in Haiti.

(b) To upgrade the micro-loan programs,- which though succesful is currently limited to US$ 2,500.- by making available higher loan amounts to current participants for business growth and expansion.

Though, we cannot include in a short 3 page document all of your well taken points, The Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce remains steadfast in promoting the need for affordable credit to Haitian SMEs with a focus on job creation through the following:

1. Agriculture Development:
To engage and include Haiti's 70% agricultural labor force,-of which,- an estimated 1 million farmers were directly displaced by irresponsible trade practices in the rice, sugar and poultry sectors.

For example:
As the 4th largest rice importer in the word, Haiti imports an estimated 340,000 metric tons (mt) of rice annually,- this represents an outgoing revenue of over US$400 million annually;
The import of 250,000 mt of sugar/year represents an estimated US$ 150 million/year,-

The above in addition to other imports represents a net revenue loss or trade deficit of + US$1 billion/year for Haiti in favor of the U.S. This, even though Haiti was feeding itself or was self-sufficient 20 years ago.

The adequate capitalization of farmers will encourage agricultural and arboricultural practices, resulting in improved yiels, soil remediation and related supportive programs/projects to contribute towards:
(a) Expansion of agricultural cultivation for food security,
(b) The introduction of value-added cultivation/production, and production diversification;
(d) The introduction of export value-added for global market participation [with export of production excess].

2. Public-Private Partnerships:
(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).

Renewable Energy Development:
To contribute to 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.

One point to be added, this program would also be favorable to the U.S. on may fronts.

For examples, the Diaspora remittances amount to some US$ 2 billion per year. This can indeed be offset incrementally with Haitian economic self-sufficiency and indenpence,- earning the U.S. an additional US$ 2 billion in discretionnary consumer spending.

Thank you,

Regine Barjon

Haitian-american Chamber Of Commece, February 2 2009, 9:51 AM

Topic: Haiti Private Sector development with Ag. Focus

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