Fernando Capellán, president of the Codevi industrial park, has issued an urgent call for the Dominican government to prioritize diplomatic efforts with the United States to renew the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) and Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP). Codevi is the largest private employer in Haiti.
These US-backed initiatives, which have allowed Haiti to export apparel to the American market duty-free, are set to expire in September 2025. Capellán warned that the potential loss of these programs could have devastating consequences for both Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
“HOPE and HELP are crucial for the textile industry in both countries, preserving thousands of jobs and ensuring economic stability,” Capellán said. “The non-renewal of these programs would force companies to relocate to Asia, leading to significant job losses in Haiti and a decline in economic activity in the Dominican Republic.”
The interconnected nature of the Dominican and Haitian economies is deeply rooted in the HOPE and HELP programs. Dominican factories produce fabrics that are sent to Haiti for garment assembly, which are then exported to the United States. This co-production model has created a robust economic network, particularly in border regions.
Capellán emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the textile industry requires long-term planning. “Uncertainty surrounding the future of these programs has already led to a significant reduction in jobs in Haiti, from 60,000 to 22,000,” he said.
The Dominican business leader also highlighted the importance of these programs for regional stability. “The northern region of Haiti, where several industrial parks operate, is a key hub for the textile industry,” Capellán explained. “The non-renewal of HOPE and HELP would not only impact Haiti but also disrupt trade between the two countries, which exceeds two billion dollars annually.”
Capellán urged the Dominican government to engage with the US Congress to secure the renewal of HOPE and HELP. “These programs are more than just trade agreements; they are a foundation for cooperation and prosperity in the Caribbean region,” he concluded in a press release.
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Diario Libre
DR1 News
Hope
11 December 2024