On Friday, the final Convention of agreement establishing the first Agricultural Free Zone in Haiti was signed by Wilson Laleau, acting Minister of Trade and Industry and President of the National Council of Free Zones, Rode Préval Director General of the Directorate of Free Zones and Jovenel Moïse, CEO of Agitrans S.A., carrier of project Nourribio, the first Agricultural Free Zone in Haiti.

The project Nourribio, is expected to create over five years, nearly 3,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs. Located in Trou du Nord, less than 30 km from the Port of Cap Haitien and the Haitian-Dominican border, the first Agricultural Free Zone, will produce approximately 20,000 tonnes of organic bananas and other vegetables from the organic production.

For Mr. Jovenel Moïse, it is "that Haiti finds its place on the world map of countries exporting bananas and vegetables."

Rode Préval, has welcomed the creation of the first Agricultural Free Zone that he considers as a "balanced and innovative project." He also stressed that the project aims not only to improve the culture conditions on the 1,000 hectares dedicated to Nourribio, but also to increase the incomes of small farmers, and significantly improve their purchasing power and quality of life. Indeed, in the fair trade approach, which will be initiated by Nourribio, it is expected that 20% of profits are redistributed to small farmers living far below the poverty line.

The Minister Laleau, in his capacity of President of the National Council of Free Zones, recalled that as a Free Zone, Nourribio must export at least 70% of its production, while enjoying incentives tax benefits and customs reserved for Free Zones. That is to say, 15 years exemption from income tax and exemption from customs duties on the purchase of capital equipment, among other "The Government Martelly-Lamothe is willing to mentor and encourage this kind of rapid investment in all sectors for Haiti joined the international market quickly. It invites, other promoters to present structural projects in agriculture and in many others sectors."

HL/ HaitiLibre