sin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA)
and the 2008 Haitian Hemispheric
Opportunity through Partnership
Encouragement Act (HOPE II pro-
vides duty-free access to the United
States. The Haiti Economic Lift Pro-
gram (HELP) Act of 2010 extended
the CBTPA and HOPE II until 2020,
while the Trade Preferences Exten-
sion Act of 2015 extended trade ben-
efits provided to Haiti in the HOPE
and HELP Acts through September
2025. Apparel sector exports in 2015
reached $904 million and account
for about 90% of Haitian exports and
more than 10% of the GDP, which is
approximately $8.259 billion (2015).
Though Haitians have faced hard
political and economic times, Haiti
reveals a rich culture that is unique
among post-colonial nations. The
tourism industry is increasing as resorts
and investments return this former
Gem of the Antilles to its rightful place
as a Caribbean tourist haven. There
are many guest houses and several top
brand hotels and resorts throughout
Haiti. The beaches are idyllic, and Hai-
ti’s mountainous terrain and national
parks make it ideal for those who love
to hike, camp, and explore not only the
lush natural environment, but also his-
toric forts.
The museums in the capital of Port
Haitian commodities exported pri- Au Prince offer excellent account-
marily to the USA (85%) include ing of Haiti’s history, from the found-
apparel, manufactured products, oils, ing fathers and their defense tactics to
cocoa, mangoes, and coffee at about old documents and even the crown of
$933.2 million. Imported commodi- Henri Christophe who ruled north
ties – primarily from the Dominican Haiti in the 1800s. The city bustles
Republic (35%), USA (25%), Nether- with numerous art galleries and street
lands Antilles (9%), and China ( 9%)– vendors, and a Taïno Museum is also
include food, manufactured goods, being developed. Official buildings
machinery and transport equipment, and cathedrals in old cities across the
fuels, and raw materials at approxi- country have their own charm as ex-
mately $3.149 billion (2015).
amples of French colonial architecture.
With the current exchange rate at 1
Haitian Gourde = $0.01476 US, re-
mittances from Haitians abroad have
become the primary source of foreign
exchange, equaling over one-fifth of
GDP in 2015 and nearly double the
combined value of Haitian exports and
foreign direct investment.
Haitian cuisine is unique yet typi-
cally Caribbean as a wonder ful mix of
French and African sensibilities with a
strong dose of spices, and Haitian rum
is arguably a favorite of connoisseurs.
Haiti’s telecommunications infra-
structure leaves room for private in-
vestment. Mobile-cellular telephone
Although a devastating 2010 earth- services have expanded greatly in the
quake inflicted $7.8 billion in dam- last five years due to low-cost GSM
age and caused the country’s GDP to phones and pay-as-you-go plans.
contract, GDP growth rose in 2011 to There are over 125 television sta-
5.5% as the Haitian economy began tions throughout the country, includ-
recovery. Unfortunately, growth slowed ing 1 government-owned, and cable
again in 2015 to 2% as political insta- TV subscription service is available.
bility, drought conditions, and imposed Of the nearly 500 radio stations, only
depreciation of the national currency about 130 are licensed, including 1
took a toll on investments. Moreover, government-owned station and more
Hurricane Matthew struck southwest- than 250 private and community radio
ern Haiti in October 2016, causing stations. Internet users total over 1.2
widespread destruction with an esti- million.
mated 2.1 million people affected.
Transportation is another investment
opportunity in Haiti, which operates
1 registered national air carrier and 14
airports, 4 with fully paved runways
(2013). The major seaports are Port-
au-Prince, Cap-Haitien, Gonaives, and
Jacmel.
Visitors to Haiti are required to have
a valid passport, and citizens of most
countries may stay for three months
without a visa; however, Americans
may not require a visa depending on
the length of stay and return/onward
passage being assured.
Diplomatic representation by Haiti in
the USA is maintained through am-
bassadors and consuls in major cities
with several honorary consuls in other
metropolitan areas where Haitian im-
migrants are found. US companies that
require travel by foreign businessper-
sons to the United States should di-
rect potential Haitian travelers to The
Bureau of Consular Affairs visa infor-
mation and the US Embassy Port-au-
Prince website.
US companies can find more informa-
tion at export.gov, at Doing Business
in Haiti: 2014 Country Commercial
Guide for U.S. Companies (PDF 766
KB) and at Haiti Investment Climate
(PDF 160 KB). U.S. companies should
also visit the export.gov page on Haiti
to get an overview of the most cur-
rent economic conditions and oppor-
tunities. Contact local US Export As-
sistance Center for advice and support
on exporting to Haiti. Investors may
also contact in-country business sup-
port organizations such as the Ameri-
can Chamber of Commerce in Haiti
(AmCham Haiti).
Marilyn Douglas-Jones is a foreign
languages professor and founder of the
Caribbean Impact Network.
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