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The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has announced a $300,000 grant to Haiti as part of a two-year project designed to boost private sector development and competitiveness. Funded by the European Union through the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) Standby Facility, the initiative aims to uplift Haiti’s business environment and economic prospects.
The project, named Capacity Building for Strengthening Quality Infrastructure, focuses on improving Haiti’s National Quality Infrastructure (NQI)—a framework essential for facilitating trade, business development, and consumer protection. The initiative is part of a broader $8.75 million program managed by the CDB to support trade and economic growth in 15 Caribbean nations.
CDB’s Vice President of Operations, Therese Turner-Jones, emphasized the importance of the initiative. “We’re signaling our continued support for the Haitian government’s macroeconomic stabilization efforts, while also strengthening prospects for economic growth and poverty reduction,” she stated.
The grant will be managed by the Caribbean Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), which will collaborate with Haiti’s Bureau Haïtien de Normalisation (BHN), a department within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The project aims to address challenges highlighted by BHN, including limited training, outdated equipment, and a lack of public awareness about its services.
The project’s primary goal is to strengthen Haiti’s NQI, which encompasses the standards and structures necessary for ensuring product quality, trade facilitation, and consumer safety. Improved quality infrastructure is expected to benefit exporters, domestic enterprises, and consumers alike, fostering economic growth and boosting Haiti’s competitiveness in regional and global markets.
During the implementation phase, CROSQ will work with BHN to upgrade Haiti’s business facilitation environment, strengthen Information Communications Technology (ICT) capabilities, and enhance the effectiveness of quality assessment processes.
CDB’s Acting Director of Projects, L. O’Reilly Lewis, explained, “The planned interventions will focus on building capacity within BHN, enabling it to provide critical services to its stakeholders. Strengthening ICT infrastructure and conformity assessment processes will be key to achieving these goals.”
This initiative is part of a regional effort under the EPA & CSME Standby Facility, financed by the European Union. The $8.75 million program offers targeted support to Caribbean economies, addressing trade barriers, improving competitiveness, and facilitating market access.
CROSQ, contributing an additional $22,000 to the project, will play a vital role in implementing solutions tailored to Haiti’s needs. By addressing training gaps and improving market surveillance, the project aims to enhance BHN’s ability to meet international standards and foster long-term growth.
Haiti’s inclusion in this regional initiative highlights the importance of targeted economic support for a nation facing significant development challenges. With the backing of the CDB, European Union, and CROSQ, Haiti’s business framework is set to receive a much-needed boost, paving the way for greater economic opportunities and stability.
