On Friday, December 20, 2024, just hours before the deadline, the House of Representatives passed a slimmed-down government funding bill that will allow Washington to avoid a Christmas Eve shutdown...

However, the final ratified text of the bill did not include the extension of the trade preference programs Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE II) and Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP), adopted in 2008 and 2010 respectively, which were included in the December 17, 2024 version, raising concerns in Haiti about the future of the textile sector.

The renewal of these programs is essential to maintain Haiti’s competitiveness in the international market, attract investors, and preserve thousands of jobs in the garment sector. Without this reauthorization, the Haitian economy could lose tens of thousands of jobs, affecting the social and economic stability of the country.

It is now necessary for the Haitian authorities and the Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH) to begin to chart a new course for the upcoming negotiations and obtain a renewal until 2035, the current law expiring in September 2025.

Despite the obstacles, Georges B. Sassine of ADIH remains optimistic and believes "With the new American President Donald Trump and the changes in Congress, there is an open door."

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43882-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43764-haiti-diplomacy-mission-abroad-for-the-new-haitian-chancellor.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43147-haiti-flash-press-conference-by-us-secretary-of-state-antony-blinken.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42893-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-42758-icihaiti-usa-adih-requests-support-from-the-cpt-for-the-renewal-of-the-hope-law.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42671-haiti-economy-important-meeting-between-the-pm-and-the-association-of-industries-of-haiti.html

S/ HaitiLibre