Haiti Trade Law Implemented

Today, as prescribed in the Haiti HOPE Act of 2006, the President implemented preferential trade status for Haiti. Congressman Rangel, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade, had this to say:

“The HOPE Act will bring critical trade benefits to the impoverished nation of Haiti and strengthen ties between our nations. I want to thank President Bush, Ambassador Schwab, Ranking Member McCrery and all of their staffs for working to get this legislation implemented quickly. By welcoming Haiti into our trading circle, we are making an investment in their future that will only strengthen our opportunity and security in the Western Hemisphere.”

Congressman Kendrick B. Meek of Florida, a member of the Ways and Means Committee (and a member of Haiti Innovation's Advisory Council) went even further to say this:

“As one who has been working hard for years for Haiti trade benefits, this is a great day. The Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act (HOPE) is a positive first step toward revitalizing the Haitian textile industry.

“One tenth of Haitian GDP comes from garment exports.” [see my past blog here]. “The average Haitian garment worker earns $4 a day, while 77% of Haitians live on less than $2 a day. In 2004, the Haitian textile industry employed over 25,000 garment workers; today, the industry supports only 12,000 workers; and according to early estimates, the HOPE Act could result in the employment of 30,000 new Haitian garment workers – 30,000 badly needed jobs that will put the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere on the path toward improved economic development.”

I have long advocated on the behalf of preferential trade status for Haiti. While there have been critics [see my discussion on IJDH here], this is a first step. There is still much to do in Haiti, which can feel daunting at times. But let this minor triumph in Haiti’s economic stabilization be a reminder to us all that with hard work, perseverance, and faith, much can be accomplished.

Rob