On the sidelines of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), held from March 26 to 29, 2026, in Yaoundé, Cameroon, James Monazard, Minister of Trade and Industry (MCI), met with Ms. Aissatou Diallo, Executive Director of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF).

The EIF is an international program affiliated with the World Trade Organization (WTO), aimed at supporting Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in integrating trade into the core of their development strategies. It is a partnership bringing together several international institutions, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and other multilateral United Nations agencies, mobilizing technical and financial resources to strengthen the trade capacities of LDCs.

These high-level exchanges facilitated a thorough evaluation of the results of the second phase of projects funded by the International Residual Fund (IRF) in Haiti, particularly the Category 2 project focused on maritime fishing and sea salt, implemented along the Artibonite-Northwest coastal axis with technical support from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Bureau of Mines and Energy.

This second phase strengthened the institutional, organizational, and technical capacities of the beneficiaries. It provided guidance and training to 300 direct beneficiaries from 17 fishing associations and 2 salt producer cooperatives.

The results achieved during the implementation of this program demonstrate a significant impact on the productivity of the sectors involved. Sea salt production capacity has seen a substantial increase, rising from 75 metric tons to 200 metric tons per hectare per year, representing a 167% increase, thanks to the introduction of modern production techniques across three distinct basins (accumulation, condensing, and crystallizing). The program has also facilitated improved access for seafood and salt products to national, regional, and international markets.

To strengthen production capacity in the seafood sector, significant equipment has been distributed to beneficiary associations, including 54 wooden and fiberglass boats with 15- to 18-foot keels, 26 Yamaha and Mercury outboard motors of 15 and 25 HP, and various fishing gear and accessories, including gillnets, harpoons, and life jackets. In addition, five fish processing and preservation units have been established to improve the value chain.

The program also facilitated the installation of 4 fish aggregating devices (FADs), which serve as alternative fishing sites, with the aim of increasing catches, reducing pressure on overexploited coastal resources, and promoting their regeneration. Following a sustainable environmental approach, approximately 12,000 mangrove seedlings were produced in nurseries and transplanted along the coastline to contribute to the restoration of mangrove ecosystems.

Discussions focused on the 3rd phase of the cooperation program, covering the period from 2026 to 2031, with a budget of $3.5 million. With this in mind, the Haitian government, through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI), plans to mobilize internal funds from the Public Investment Program (PIP) and engage with other multilateral and bilateral technical and financial partners as part of initiatives to mobilize complementary financial resources to match the program's budget and amplify results for the benefit of those on the ground.

This new phase involves using CIR funds to generate structural results, including strengthening technical, operational, and human capacities, improving institutional coordination mechanisms, and developing inclusive public policies and regulatory frameworks. It also aims to promote the production, management, and sharing of knowledge related to trade and investment.

This CIR-MCI program will be implemented through two distinct financing mechanisms. The first financing mechanism of the IRC will focus on strengthening institutional coordination in the areas of trade and investment, improving national capacities for negotiating and implementing trade agreements, and developing and implementing appropriate policies and regulations.

In parallel, the CIR's second financing mechanism will target fisheries sector development, with a particular focus on strengthening the fishing fleets of beneficiary communities, creating new fishing sites, improving the technical and organizational capacities of stakeholders, and enhancing the quality of products brought to market.

CIR funds will also be mobilized in synergy with other Technical and Financial Partners (TFPs), including WTO fisheries grant funds for an effective and orderly fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, as well as contributions from the Haitian government, to amplify the impact of interventions and ensure the sustainability of actions undertaken.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-47151-in-cameroon-haiti-advocates-for-wto-reform.html

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre