After a three-day visit, https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11532-haiti-economy-the-world-bank-comes-to-discuss-the-government-s-priorities.html Sri Mulyani Indrawati, World Bank Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, congratulated the Haitian authorities for progress on the recovery of the country and called for greater economic and social opportunities for all Haitians, especially in rural areas.

"The Haiti that I discovered these days is very different from what I have seen in the aftermath of the earthquake. The progress I have observed are encouraging. Over 1.3 million people have returned from camps in their neighborhoods. Many people live in safer housing," declared Indrawati. "Extreme poverty declined and access to basic services has improved over the past twelve years. This is good news, but rural Haitians do not yet benefit from these advances."

That said, Haitians have benefited from improved access to services. In this regard, education shows real progress with enrollment rates increased from 78 to 90% among school-age children. However, quality of education remains unsatisfactory: only a third of children aged 14 are in class appropriate to their age.

Vulnerability and income inequality remain at very high levels in the country. Statistics show that 2.5 million Haitians living with two dollars a day could fall back into poverty in case of economic shocks and natural disasters.

So that Haiti can continue to progress, the country will have to manage more effectively and increase its revenues. The private sector of Haiti can play a vital role, but it needs a business environment conducive to the development of many new entrepreneurs.

During her visit, Ms. Indrawati who was accompanied by Jorge Familiar, recently appointed Vice-President of the World Bank for Latin America and the Caribbean, spoke on the economic opportunities of the country with Haitian officials responsible for development issues.

"Everywhere in the world, rural poverty generally achieved higher levels and is more difficult to combat that urban poverty. But it is absolutely necessary to help these people to access education, health services and employment to promote equal opportunities for a better life," affirmed Indrawati, concluding "we support the Haitian authorities in their efforts to extend to remote areas and insufficiently served the success they have achieved in the cities."

Last minute : This Wednesday morning, were signed five grant agreements related to projects ecently approved by the World Bank for a total of $130 million: $ 7 million for an additional funding of Project of participatory community development in urban areas (PRODEPUR); $45 million for the project to support the preservation of cultural heritage and tourism development in the North of Haiti; $58 million for the Regional development project of the loop Centre - Artibonite (P133352) and $15 millions for additional funding to the Phase II of the Education Program for all - EPT ; and over 14 million of budgetary support.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-10204-haiti-economy-inauguration-of-public-market-in-village-solidarite.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11188-haiti-agriculture-$58m-for-the-project-centre-artibonite-loop.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-10359-haiti-economy-projects-for-central-artibonite-and-north-of-haiti.html

HL/ HaitiLibre