Partners

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

In this Section

Partners

Partnerships

The Caracol Park is an example of the power of partnerships having a transformational impact. This project is the culmination of a diverse group of stakeholders coming together, including The Haitian Government, donor partners, multilateral institutions, the communities of the North, environmental experts and leading global companies. This partnership will create thousands of jobs in one of the poorest regions in Haiti by harnessing untapped economic opportunities that can fuel the sustainable growth for years to come.

The Government of Haiti (GOH), as owners of the Park, puts in place the necessary infrastructure and insures that the Park is managed by a professional company, recruited through competitive bidding. The management of the power plant, while owned by the GOH, will likewise be managed by a competitively selected private firm. The Government of Haiti continues to take all necessary measures to mitigate any environmental and social impacts of this project, and is currently undertaking a comprehensive information campaign on the Caracol and its benefits to the region.

The Government of Haiti is actively soliciting new clients for the Park, not only in the textile sector but also in different sectors such as furniture or electronics.
The Inter-American Development Bank is investing at least $100 million in grant funding for the development of the Park itself and for the construction of the necessary infrastructure inside the park.
The United States Government is providing more than $124 million in grant funding for power supply to the Park and nearby communities, the building of up to 5,000 houses in the surrounding region and the modernization of port infrastructure. These investments benefit not only the Park, but the communities and businesses in the North.
SAE-A has committed at least $78 million for facility development, machinery and equipment. The company will occupy 50 hectares and employ 20,000 Haitian workers in compliance with International Labor Organization standards. The firm partners with an international NGO to support a school near the industrial park. Currently, twenty young Haitians from the North are being trained in Nicaragua for six months to play an active role in starting Sae-A's operations in Haiti.
The European Union is investing in roads and highways in the region.

A project of this magnitude and complexity mandates intensive communication and strong partnerships with local communities. Over the past year, frequent consultations were held through town hall meetings, workshops, meetings with Mayors and other elected representatives, the Chambers of Commerce, environmental groups, social activists and local farmers. Together, partners are on track to deliver a competitive and compelling environment for businesses to invest and thrive.