Business
Haiti open for business: targeting up to $600 million in foreign investment in 2013
Haiti is targeting up to US$600 million in foreign investment in the 2012/2013 financial year, and according to its trade ambassador, The Bahamas has a tremendous opportunity to get in on the action.
The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) invited dignitaries from Haiti to a conference in Nassau on Monday to discuss prospects between the two neighbors.
Gregory Mevs, the Haiti ambassador for trade and investment, stressed that the rebuilding nation wants greater partnership with companies in the Bahamas. Whether it be expertise or direct investment, he said Haiti is open for business.
“There is a special relationship between our nations. We can no longer look at normal trade or investment. Traditional partnerships will continue. What we need is to trade more with each other,” Mevs told reporters.
“We need to diversify our trade and our source of investments, and be more global players. The Bahamas can play a big role in certain industries in Haiti.”
After picking up the pieces of the devastating earthquake in 2010, the Haiti continues to push forward on aggressive national development. Last year, Haiti attracted US$100 million in foreign investment. This year, Haiti is setting a “modest” goal of US$300 million, with up to US$400 million or US$500 million in its sights, according to the ambassador.
Haiti believes direct foreign investment of US$600 million in 2013 is indeed possible.
