| Today, Haiti's northern corridor is both one of the more economically challenged regions in the country, while also offering the best possibilities for growth and competitive industry. Extending from Cap Haitian in the west to Ouanminthe in the east, the total population is just under one million with 60% of the population between the ages of 16 and 40. The region has a rich history and heritage dating back to 1492 and the arrival of Christopher Columbus who landed at Mole St. Nicholas, just a twenty minute drive from the site of the industrial park. The Bay of Fort Liberte with its historic port is a bustling town today with encouraging signs of construction and growth. The town of Ounaminthe has grown rapidly over the past five years with 6,000 jobs now at the CODEVI Industrial park which houses Grupo M and Timberland, who produce apparel and footwear. This region of Haiti also has a lot to offer for tourism – famed beaches, waterfalls, limestone caves and historical monuments: Vertieres: Just outside the Cap Haitien city, you can visit the historic site of Vertieres, where a last battle of the Haitian Revolution took place. Morne Rouge – Bois Caiman: The site of a historic vodou ceremony led By Boukman, a vodou priest and slave rebellion leader thought to have launched the first major efforts to expel French forces from Haiti. Palais Sans Soucis: Built under Henri Christophe's rule in the early 1800s, The Sans Soucis Palace was originally constructed as a residential and administrative center for Henri Christophe's government. In 1842 the palace was severely damaged by an earthquake. Today, its stunning ruins are evocative enough to transport visitors to another time. Citadelle Laferrière: located 27Km outside of Cap Haitien city, the Citadelle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the magnificent mountain top fortress built under Henri Christophe [it used to carry the name of the self-appointed Northern King and known as "La Citadelle Henri"], an important general during the Haitian Revolution. Perched 3000ft up the mountain of Bonnet A L'Eveque, it was originally designed as a lookout point and defense fort to ward off potential attacks by the French. It boasts 365 cannons of varying size with cannon balls neatly stacked next to each canon. The Citadelle's massive structure was built over a period of 15 years with the help of 20,000 workers. The views from her rooftop are awe-inspiring. |
From the Press
IDB hails new industrial park in northern Haiti
Monday, 22 October 2012 21:16 UTC
Manufacturing facility generates jobs, exports in less than one year since groundbreaking.
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A. (IDB) -- Inter-American Development Bank President Luis Alberto Moreno today joined Haitian President Michel Martelly, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former U.S. President Bill Clinton for the inauguration of the Caracol Industrial Park (CIP), a modern manufacturing facility in northern Haiti.
La BID : 50 millions de dollars pour le Parc industriel de Caracol
La Banque interaméricaine de développement (BID) a annoncé l’accord pour l’octroi d’un don pour Haïti s’élevant à 50 millions de dollars américains. Ces fonds sont destinés à la deuxième phase de construction du Parc Industriel de Caracol dans le nord d’Haïti.
FACT CHECK — THE NEW YORK TIMES: Earthquake Relief Where Haiti Wasn’t Broken
On July 6, 2012, the New York Times published an article entitled: “Earthquake Relief Where Haiti Wasn’t Broken”. The piece has numerous factual errors and does not address many of the most salient points about the development of the Northern Corridor.
«Je suis impressionné», s'exclame le président Martelly - Haïti: Lundi 7 mai 2012. Il est 11 h 25 a.m. Le président Michel Joseph Martelly arrive à bord d'un hélico. Il foule le sol du parc industriel de Caracol en compagnie de l'ambassadeur américain Kenneth Merten et du ministre de l'Éducation nationale et de la Formation professionnelle, Réginald Paul. Tenue décontractée : chemise rayée, pantalon jeans bleu bottes. Il n'a pas effectué une visite surprise, car on l'attendait depuis son retour au pays après quelques jours d'absence pour des raisons de santé. Il n'y a pas eu de foule au parc industriel, mais des employés qui criaient vive Martelly!
Caracol : le rêve de 20 000 emplois prendra forme très lentement : Ceux qui avaient visité le Nord et le Nord-Est, à la fin de 2011 et au début de cette année 2012, ont constaté toute la propagande, à travers d'énormes panneaux publicitaires faite autour du parc industriel de Caracol, avant parc industriel de la région Nord. Ces messages annonçaient la création de 20 000 emplois au cours de cette année. La réalité en a décidé autrement. Quelle réalité ? --Le Nouvelliste 3 mai 2012
"We're no longer talking just about garment assembly. We are talking about a true textile industry short of planting cotton. That is what is being developed', said George Sassine, who is also responsible for implementing the US congress-approved duty-free legislation benefitting the garment industry". -- The Miami Herald, 29 March 2011