The Haiti Investment-Trade and Association Development (I-TRADE) project aims to address the underlying obstacles to private sector competitiveness and job-producing business growth by addressing public and private institutional deficiencies, market access issues, and the lack of access to business support. The project has completed its first year of operation, despite a challenging period for Haiti, including food riots, the stepping down of the government, and four hurricanes that devastated the country.
During the first year, the project built relationships with relevant stakeholders, laying a foundation for collaborative and participative activities. Public and private sector actors were brought together to discuss trade and investment opportunities, and learning events were facilitated to raise the understanding of key actors dealing with issues related to creating a more enabling environment for trade and investment in Haiti.
Key accomplishments during the first year include the development of a series of training activities on international trade, the launch of the Conseil National de la Competitivité (CNC), and the commencement of a process to identify key policy topics for business associations. PartnersNet, a network of USAID projects, was also created to share information on project activities and identify areas of potential collaboration.
The project is tasked with achieving seven objectives, including improving Haiti’s ranking in the Doing Business and Economic Freedom indexes, strengthening private sector associations and chambers, and decreasing administrative obstacles to doing business. The project has made significant progress in these areas, with the establishment of the CNC and the development of training activities on international trade.
Project administration was also a key focus during the first year, with the establishment of a home office team in Haiti and the recruitment of support staff. The project was set up and most of the team was assembled and working toward project objectives by January 2008. Recruitment for a new trade negotiation advisor continued until May 2008, at which point the final team position was filled.
The I-TRADE project has made significant progress in its first year, despite the challenging circumstances in Haiti. The project’s focus on addressing public and private institutional deficiencies, market access issues, and the lack of access to business support has laid a foundation for future growth and development. The project’s achievements in the first year provide a strong foundation for continued progress in the second year.
The project’s seven objectives are critical to achieving its overall goal of improving Haiti’s business environment and promoting economic growth. The project’s focus on improving Haiti’s ranking in the Doing Business and Economic Freedom indexes, strengthening private sector associations and chambers, and decreasing administrative obstacles to doing business will have a positive impact on the country’s economic development.
The I-TRADE project has also made significant progress in establishing partnerships and alliances with key stakeholders, including the Government of Haiti, private sector associations, and other USAID projects. The project’s focus on building relationships and facilitating learning events has raised the understanding of key actors dealing with issues related to creating a more enabling environment for trade and investment in Haiti.
In addition to its progress in achieving its objectives, the I-TRADE project has also made significant contributions to the development of Haiti’s business environment. The project’s focus on improving the country’s ranking in the Doing Business and Economic Freedom indexes, strengthening private sector associations and chambers, and decreasing administrative obstacles to doing business will have a positive impact on the country’s economic development.
The I-TRADE project’s achievements in its first year provide a strong foundation for continued progress in the second year. The project’s focus on addressing public and private institutional deficiencies, market access issues, and the lack of access to business support has laid a foundation for future growth and development. The project’s seven objectives are critical to achieving its overall goal of improving Haiti’s business environment and promoting economic growth.