This week, the Center for Investment Facilitation (CFI) and the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) proceeded to the launch of the Haiti Investment Guide (CIF) and the ConnectAmericas platform.

As recalled it the CFI "Private investment by domestic and foreign actors has been a fundamental driving force in almostevery instance of rapid and sustained economic growth in modern history. Companies committing to emerging countries can reap unparalleled returns while knowledge and expertise are advanced, new markets are accessed and old markets are expanded.

Haiti is currently seeing consistent increased levels of private investment and faster rates of economic growth, which promise to transform the country into one where the once frustrated hopes of its people can be realized through dynamic progress and development. In numerous economic sectors spanning from agriculture to high-level manufacturing, Haiti has shown that it is more than capable of hosting leading corporations whose success is inspiring them to reinvest and expand, while positively impacting local lives and deepening the identity of their brands internationally.

Furthermore, with a lack of growth in key Latin American markets and the resulting imperative need for companies to go global, Haiti stands out as a very attractive market in which to do business in, and an excellent location to serve as a platform for world markets."

This guide, produced by the CFI (Center for Facilitation of Investments), is aimed at both local and international investors, who want to understand more about investing in Haiti. It intends to display the wealth of business opportunities that are currently available, as well as to provide investors with a strong foundation of information to support them in their investment decision. Moreover, the CFI wants to assure investors that they will be supported throughout the entire process leading to the implementation of their investment, from the preliminary exploration phase up to the postestablishment aftercare support.

The guide is divided in 4 parts :

First part :

Business Opportunities (apparel, Process Outsourcing (BPO) information technology (IT), tourism, agriculture and agribusiness and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP);

Second part :

Investment climate (economic policy, industrial parks and free trade zones, workforce, infrastructure, trade and investment agreement, U.S. trade preferences and visas and permits) ;

Third part :

Visit, working and living in Haiti (visas and permits, accomodations in Haiti, Telecommunications/Internet, banking, transportation, health, international schools and life in Haiti);

Quatrième partie :

Legal and regulatory framework (land ownership by non-Haitian nationals, regulatory institutions, business entities and registration, customs regulations and procedures, settlement of commercial disputes, labor legislation, taxes, contributions and incentives, and access to finance).

Download the Haiti Investment Guide : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/INVESTMENT_GUIDE_EN.pdf

Connect Americas Platform :

"Connect Americas is the first social network business in the Americas, designed specifically for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that lack financial resources to participate in major international exhibitions," said Norma Powell, Director of CFI. By using this online platform SMEs can sell and buy products on world markets, while remaining at home.

This internet platform is an initiative of the IDB, supported by Google, DHL, Visa and Alibaba. Online for free, it will allow SMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean to connect with entrepreneurs around the world, and access to practical information tools enabling them to increase their capacity.

For more information visit : www.connectamericas.com/

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre