Doing Business in Haiti

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"Doing Business in Haiti"

A Half-Day Seminar, Workshops & Luncheon Highlighting
Trade & Investment Opportunities in Haiti

Presented By

Top Haitian Officials & Business Leaders

Luncheon Address By
His Excellency René Préval
President of the Republic of Haiti

Tuesday, August 31

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
World Trade Center of New Orleans

President Préval and his delegation are visiting New Orleans at the invitation of New Orleans Mayor Marc H. Morial as part of FrancoFête, this year’s celebration of 300 years of the French presence in Louisiana.

Trade & Investment Opportunities in Haiti

Since the intervention of the U.S.-led multinational force restored constitutional government in October 1994, Haiti has been on the road to economic recovery. President René Préval was elected in December 1995. His government has undertaken market-based policies aimed at promoting growth and improving living standards. Since 1996, the international community -- encouraged by the government’s economic policies -- has provided substantial amounts of financial aid. Donors, including the U.S. as the leading bilateral donor, continue to provide several hundred million dollars a year in project assistance for major infrastructure projects and civil governance programs. The U.S. has long been Haiti’s most important commercial partner. More than 60 percent of the country’s imports come from the U.S. Haiti’s economic recovery offers numerous opportunities for U.S. firms in rebuilding its infrastructure, including roads, power, ports, and telecommunications. Haiti also provides attractive investment prospects in the assembly and agricultural sectors. Export opportunities for U.S. firms include basic foodstuffs, construction materials, and industrial equipment.

PRINCIPAL SPONSORS

City of New Orleans, Office of International Relations
Investment Promotion Center of Haiti
Caribbean/Latin American Action
Center for Democracy
Louisiana Department of Economic Development
Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, & Tourism
New Orleans Aviation Board
American MetroComm
Walk, Haydel & Associates, Inc.
World Trade Center of New Orleans

Co-Sponsors

American Rice Inc.
Charles Marks Associates F.C. Schaffer & Associates, Inc. Hibernia National Bank MetroVision Economic Development Partnership
Pailet Meunier & LeBlanc, LLP
Parvazi Unlimited Port of New Orleans Siméus Foods International , Inc.
Waldemar S. Nelson & Company, Inc. Whitney National Bank

In Cooperation With

Ark-La-Tex Regional Export & Technology Center
Baton Rouge Center for World Affairs
Conseil Pour le Développement du Francais en Louisiane (CODOFIL)
Consular Corps of New Orleans
New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center
French Heritage Foundation of New Orleans
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana
Int’l Freight Forwarders/Customs Brokers Assn.
International Trade Council/Red River Region
Le Centre International de Lafayette
Louisiana District Export Council
Louisiana International Trade Center/SBDC
Louisiana International Trade Commission
New Orleans Media Center
New Orleans Technology Council
Traffic & Transportation Club of Greater New Orleans

SEMINAR AGENDA
9:00 a.m.	REGISTRATION & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST- Executive Offices, Suite 2900, WTC

9:30 a.m.	WELCOMING REMARKS Julio Guichard, Director, City of New Orleans, Office of International Relations, and Eugene Schreiber, Managing Director, World Trade Center of New Orleans

9:45 a.m.	OVERVIEW OF THE HAITIAN ECONOMY Hon. Fred Joseph, Minister of Finance and Economy Hon. Gerald Germain, Minister of Commerce Mr. Jean-Edouard Baker, Chairman, Haitian Presidential Commission for Economic Growth

10:30 a.m.	INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY WORKSHOPS: Infrastructure Privatization: TELECO (telephone company) APN (port authority); AAN (airport authority); EdH (electric power); and experience of Minsterie d' Haiti (wheat flour mill, already privatized) - Workshop led by Mr. Jean-Erick Deryce, Council for the Modernization of Public Enterprises (CMEP) Agri-Business Processing (including coffee, rice, rum, pepper sauce): Workshop led by Hon. Francois Severin, Minister of Agriculture Tourism/Arts & Handicrafts: Workshop led by Hon. Maryse Penette Kedar, Secretary of State Tourism

11:30 a.m.	NETWORKING RECEPTION - The Plimsoll Club, World Trade Center

12:15 p.m.	LUNCHEON PROGRAM Presiding: Ms. Patricia C. Denechaud, President, World Trade Center Introduction of honored speaker by Mayor Marc H. Morial Keynote address by H. E. René Préval, President of the Republic of Haiti

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.	Informal one-on-one business meetings with members of the Haitian delegation following the luncheon – The Plimsoll Club

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