Location:  Ballroom East

As this year’s conference focuses on leveraging the diaspora’s political and economic power for the good of Haiti, the Diaspora Engagement in Business and Economic Development panel looks to engage the audience on a frank, transparent, and realistic discussion on what it actually means to identify and pursue business opportunities and economic development activities as a member of the diaspora.  The panelists will explore the role of the Haitian diaspora in contributing to economic development in the country, but will also look at the very real obstacles and challenges that face any member of the diaspora who is thinking about investing, working and collaborating on the homeland.

The panelists will explore their very unique experiences in setting up businesses, engaging our compatriots and practical lessons learned from their endeavors.  The panel will also discuss perceptions, collaboration and the very real barriers that the diaspora must understand in order to collaboratively engage in business and economic development.  Panelists will address policy and practical actions, developing relationships with local stakeholders, identifying the right ministries or partners that will champion opportunities.  In addition, they will discuss leveraging resources and relationships to support opportunities that ideally will positively impact the country.  Attendees will gain clear perspective of the challenges and opportunities Haiti offers, but also gain a realistic, pragmatic understanding of how to support economic development.

Location: 148-150

Haiti was awarded a ten-year preferential access to the U.S.-market through special tariff exemptions under the Hemispheric Opportunity though Partnership Encouragement (HOPE II).  Being part of the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM), Haiti is also the beneficiary of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which offers preferential access to the European Union market.

This panel will address the value of these preferential treatments and their potential to promote growth in the Garment and Textile sector in Haiti. In addition, the panelists will explore whether Haiti has benefited from these agreements or not.  At the end of the session, the audience will have a better understanding of the sector and learn how best to invest in and support this industry.

Location: Digital Auditorium

Innovation technology has propelled the BPO industry globally beyond India. For a country like Haiti with a young workforce, there is tremendous opportunity for growth, especially in outsourcing segments within business services, energy, technology, telecom, health care, travel and transport.

Haiti has identified the BPO sector to spur economic growth, job creation and foreign investment.  With its large multilingual labor force, geographical proximity to North American markets, and recent investments in crucial infrastructure, the nation is well placed to serve the multilingual needs of the BPO market.   This panel will give the diaspora an opportunity to learn about this burgeoning sector in order to promote and advance the sector to our business circles.hgn

Location:  144-146

In a study published in 2014, the World Bank reports that poverty eradication continues to be a major challenge for Haiti as 70% of Haitians are either living below or just above the poverty line.   This causes a large portion of the population to be extremely vulnerable to economic, natural, and political shocks.  Specifically, the report states that 58% of the country’s population is living in poverty, with 24% living in extreme poverty.

The Haitian government, the international community, and other stakeholders have promoted economic development as an important tool to eradicate poverty in the Caribbean nation.  While agree with this assertion, this panel will maintain that there cannot be economic development without workforce development–they are the two wings of the same bird.

The unemployment rate in Haiti is 41% and more than two thirds of the labor force do not hold a formal job (CIA World Factbook). These numbers are astronomical; they cannot be ignored.   Developing an integrated workforce development and economic development strategy, where the two complement one another, is paramount to curbing the unemployment rate and eradicating poverty.