Haiti’s ambassador in the DR, Guy Lamothe says the Haitian government hopes to attract Dominican investment to Haiti. He said that at present the DR exports to Haiti about US$30 million a year, and imports less than US$1 million. Dominican exports are primarily food products, fertilizers, tools and spare parts for vehicles. Dominicans import handicrafts, beverages, perfumes and used clothing. Haiti buys 77% of all Dominican exports to the Caribbean. The Haitian government will be using the Caribbean Investment Conference, sponsored by the Caribbean Tourism Organization, that will take place in the DR next month as a forum to present facilities the government will be awarding investors in tourism projects in Haiti. This effort is spurred by Maryse Penette, one of the most oustanding Haitian government functionaries of all times. At present, Haiti is affected by political instability, but government representatives hope this will soon be no longer an obstacle to investment. The well being of Haiti is in the best interest of the Dominican Republic. In bad times, the number of indigent Haitians traveling to the DR increases, becoming a heavy burden to local social services.
