Concluding remarks by the Chairperson

The second Trade Policy Review of Haiti has provided us with a good opportunity to achieve a better understanding of the trade and investment policies of Haiti since its last Review in 2003, and of the numerous challenges it faces. The review has benefitted strongly from the constructive and informative participation of Haiti’s delegation, headed by the Honourable Mr. Jude Hervey DAY, Minister of Trade and Industry, from the very insightful comments of the discussant, H.E. Dr. François Xavier NGARAMBE, Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the WTO and from the interventions by Members. Haiti has provided answers to most of the advance written questions received before the deadline as well as to those that were sent later, and we look forward to answers to any outstanding questions no later than one month after this meeting.

Members noted that Haiti's economy had been recovering from the devastating earthquake in 2010, but that stronger growth had been hampered by further natural disasters such as droughts and hurricanes. In this context, Members recalled various bilateral initiatives that had been taken over the past years to assist the people of Haiti. They also took note of the many structural obstacles which prevent achieving more dynamic growth such as weak infrastructure, electricity shortages, limited access to credit, and a downturn in external funding. Members encouraged Haiti to diversify its exports, both with respect to destination markets as well as regarding products. They also urged Haiti to engage in the necessary reforms to ensure its food security in the long run and to enhance competitiveness.

Members welcomed Haiti's objective to achieve the status of an emerging economy by 2030 as well as its success in maintaining macroeconomic stability. They also praised recent efforts to improve the business climate such as the "Haiti is open for business" campaign. At the same time, some Members were of the opinion that more could be done to improve the business environment, for instance by updating the Commercial Code, and in general modernizing the legal framework, and by reinforcing governance.

Members observed that overall tariff protection remained relatively low, although some tariffs had been increased since the last Review. However, Members expressed concern about the various fees and charges applied on imports that result in higher import costs. Some Members noted that this rendered the tariff regime less transparent.

Members encouraged Haiti to ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement and adopt WTO customs valuation rules, which they considered would be beneficial for Haiti. They also enquired about the reasons for the delays in the implementation of other trade-related legislation, in particular regarding the protection of intellectual property rights. Concerns were expressed with respect to Haiti's import licensing procedures. Members wished to know more about Haiti's plans to align its tariff lines with the CARICOM common external tariff and to join CARICOM's single market in the light of its WTO tariff commitments.

Other issues raised by Members in their oral statements or in the written questions included high port fees, legislation in the mining sector, energy subsidies, clearance times at customs, discriminatory taxation of imported and domestic products, fishing rights, WTO notifications, and plans to formalize trade with the Dominican Republic.

I would like to once again underline that despite the many challenges faced by Haiti, the economy has proved to be resilient and some of its policies since the last Review have demonstrated Haiti's commitment to moving towards more transparency and predictability. Members have recognized these challenges, but have voiced at the same time some specific trade policy-related concerns which I hope will be considered by Haiti in the context of its trade policy reform and general economic policy agenda.

This second Review of Haiti's trade policies and practices was successfully concluded to the benefit of all Members. I am confident that Haiti will find the extensive and fruitful discussion useful, as well as the insights provided by Members during the Review, and will take them into account to develop further its trade and economic policies to enhance the competitiveness of the country as well as the well-being of its people. The large number of advance written questions and of delegations that took the floor during the two days of discussions highlight the interest Members attach to Haiti's trade and related policies and its role in the multilateral trading system.

In closing, I would like to thank Minister Jude Hervey DAY and the rest of the delegation from Port-au-Prince, Ambassador Dr. François Xavier NGARAMBE as discussant, the Members and the Secretariat for their contribution to the second Trade Policy Review of Haiti.