The U.S. government announced the approval by the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission (IHRC) [Tuesday], of four reconstruction projects funded by U.S. government and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). These projects totaling $267 million, in accordance with the priorities of the Haitian government, concerning the construction of industrial park near the Cap-Haitien, upgrading and expansion of neighborhoods in and around Port-au-Prince and in northern Haiti, and the removal of rubble.

The Northern Industrial Park Project will directly employ 18,000 Haitian workers in the garment industry and grow to support 65,000 permanent jobs once the park is fully developed. This project will be funded by a $124 million contribution from the U.S. government and $50 million from the IDB, and builds upon a memorandum of understanding signed by the U.S. government, the IDB, the Haitian government, and Korean apparel manufacturer Hansoll Textile Ltd. Firms operating out of the industrial park will be able to take advantage of enhanced trade preferences provided by the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act and the park could double Haiti's garment industry jobs.

"The development of the Northern Industrial Park represents an opportunity for Haiti to rebuild its light manufacturing sector, which will increase economic prosperity for Haitians, as it provides affordable, quality apparel goods to the American consumer," said U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Kenneth Merten.

The U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is also continuing to fund its commitment to building Haiti back better through three projects to address housing repairs and upgrades, the construction of brand new communities, and the removal of rubble with heavy equipment :

$65 million for the Neighborhood Upgrading Project, which will improve living conditions in accordance with implementing partner World Bank's Housing and Community Infrastructure Reconstruction Project for approximately 10,000 households in communities damaged by the January 12 earthquake.

$53 million for the New Settlements Project, which will build thousands of homes in both the northern region and Port-au-Prince, $30 million of which will go to support housing for the aforementioned industrial park.

$25 million for a Debris Removal Project, which will augment efforts already underway and builds on lessons learned from existing U.S.-sponsored programs. Implementing partner UN Development Program will use heavy equipment and mobilize affected communities to remove and treat debris in order to prepare several neighborhoods for reconstruction.

"The infrastructure projects approved by the IHRC lay the foundation for better living conditions for thousands of Haitians and build upon USAID's robust efforts to get people back into their communities," said USAID Haiti Mission Director Carleene Dei.

In addition to the extensive humanitarian relief in response to the January 12 earthquake, the U.S. government has identified four priority sectors, infrastructure, agriculture, health, and governance, to be implemented in three development corridors, Port-au-Prince, St. Marc, and Cap Haitien, in order to maximize the impact of U.S taxpayers' long-term investments in Haiti and lead to the creation of permanent jobs and a more prosperous Haiti.

HL/ HaitiLibre