Within the framework of program to support the development of enterprises, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI), with the support of Support Programme to MCI (PAMCI) of the European Union and the United Nations Programme for Development (UNDP), organized a workshop on the support system to the development of entrepreneurship in Haiti on 21 and 22 November.

With the main objectives,the strengthening of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the assessment of the economic potential of Haiti and the validation of the support system for the development of entrepreneurship developed by MCI.

In her opening remarks Ms. Argueta Katyana, acting Senior Director of UNDP, welcomed "the approach of the Ministry by focusing on these main job creators in the country : Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and by identifying the accompaniment to provide them is commendable. In this long-term vision, the Ministry wanted to take its responsibilities with all the rigor that demand this rather complex task [...] The Ministry made ​​a huge effort to innovate, to modernize its structure, on how it operates and the services offered."

The first day began with the presentation of the three-year strategic plan of MCI, which made a commitment to prepare a support plan adapted to MSMEs in order to promote economic growth and generate employment.

The second day was dedicated especially to the presentation of typical products identified by department, and to specific workshops on priority themes of the proposal of MSMEs development policy.

During these two days, civil society, professional associations and representatives of various Chambers of Commerce and Industry, had the opportunity to contribute with proposals and comments on the topics presented. In addition, the workshops they have built around priority themes have allowed them to share and discuss on the structuring and financing, connection to markets of MSMEs, and on the program of creation and development of micro Industrial Parks of Ministry, for the validation of the system and the final development of the MSME support strategy.

During his speech, Wilson Laleau, the acting Minister of Trade and Industry, argued that, located 45 minutes from the world's largest market and a relatively young population, Haiti has all the advantages that can attract investors and develop its economy Haiti is a country that has one of the biggest growth potential of the entire Caribbean region, by its geography, its history, but also by its soil, its people and resources that are in the system."

He also invited all project leaders to make them public and reiterated the commitment of the government to regulate "Our ambition is to see by the end of this year serious business projects be put in place across the entire country and the government is ready to provides oversight."

HL/ HaitiLibre