On Tuesday, the U.S. government through the USAID, celebrated the success of its Leveraging Effective Application of Direct Investments (LEAD) program by honoring 31 Business Plan Competition (BPC) winners, emphasizing the need to continue job creation and diaspora outreach efforts.

During an exhibit held for the LEAD ceremony, in the presence of USAID Ad Interim Director Christian Barratt, the Minister of Haitians Living Abroad, M. Robert Labrousse, and representatives of the Central Bank of Haiti, the 31 enterprises were recognized with certificates of achievement for being engines of job creation and contributing to Haiti’s economic resilience. These successful enterprises are supported by LEAD in fields such as technology, manufacturing, recycling, agribusiness and construction.

Implemented by the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) since 2011, the LEAD program has substantially met two core objectives: income generation and job creation identified through its Business Plan Competition; and enhancing the development impact of Diaspora remittances. To date, the program has created more than 8,000 full time jobs in Haiti.

M. Christian Barratt, USAID Director a.i noted, "The event today was a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit in Haiti. We want to see even more aspiring entrepreneurs attract investment, generate jobs, and grow. We also want more Diaspora investors to support community-driven economic development. I am pleased to see we are on the right track."

Business Plan Competition Winners :

Action et Cooperation en Developpement (ACOD), Agriculture, Cap-Haitian

Boulangerie d'Enfant Jesus, Retail/Wholesale, Port-au-Prince

CATSMI, Technology, Cap-Haitian

D & E GREEN Enterprises, Alternative Energy, Port-au-Prince

DloHaiti, Manufacturing, Port-au-Prince/ St-Marc / Cap-Haitien

ECSSA, Other - recycling, Port-au-Prince

GLOBAL RECYCLING, Other - recycling, Port-au-Prince

Glory Industry, Manufacturing, Port-au-Prince

Haiplast Recycling, Other - recycling, Port-au-Prince

INGSA, Manufacturing, Port-au-Prince

Karibu, Tourism, Port-au-Prince

Kaytek, Manufacturing, Port-au-Prince/Cap-Haitien

Kreyol Essence, Retail/Wholesale, Port-au-Prince

Le Jourdain 1, Manufacturing, Cap-Haitian

Le Nettoyeur S.A, Other - recycling, Cap-Haitian

Les III Rois, Tourism, Cap-Haitian

Les Jus de Marmelade S.A. (Agri SA), Agriculture, Cap-Haitien

Madan Belfwi, Retail/Wholesale, Port-au-Prince

Moulin Lanauté, Agriculture, St-Marc

Palmis Eneji, Alternative Energy, Port-au-Prince

Parc Oasis Caribeen , Tourism, Cap-Haitien

Perfection Sewing Industry, Manufacturing, Port-au-Prince

PISA, Agriculture, Cap-Haitien

Sienna Agricultural Holdings Company, Agriculture, Port-au-Prince

SISALCO, Agriculture, Cap-Haitien

Societe Agricole de Production et d'Elevage du Nord (SAPEN S.A.), Agriculture, Cap-Haitian

Societe Generale de Production Agro-industrielle (SOGEPA S.A.), Agriculture, Port-au-Prince

SURTAB S.A., IT, Port-au-Prince

SWITCH S.A., Alternative Energy, Port-au-Prince

Veerhouse Voda, Manufacturing, Port-au-Prince/Cap-Haitien

X-QUIS Boulangerie, Retail/Wholesale, Saint-Marc

USAID’s LEAD project supports job creation through enterprise development and support for Haitian and Diaspora entrepreneurs.

HL/ HaitiLibre