Businesspeople Urge Investment In Haiti:
By Macushla N. Pinder -
Nassau, Bahamas:

Bahamians of Haitian descent have added their voices to those urging locals to take advantage of Haiti’s emerging market and invest in the impoverished Caribbean nation as a means of stemming the flow of illegal migration to countries like The Bahamas.

One of two business proprietors of Haitian descent who accompanied the Chamber of Commerce on its recent four-day trade mission to Haiti, Odley Aretis, principal of Top Builders International, said Haiti’s construction industry is one segment that Bahamians can tap into.

"This has been a real life-changing experience for me….When I saw what was happening in the construction industry in Haiti, it was really appalling. To the local contractors, we can really take advantage of the construction opportunities in Haiti," Mr. Aretis said.

"Why do I say that? Port-au-Prince was designed for 150,000 people but there are presently over three million people living there. There is a building code that is never used. We can take advantage of this and show them how to build properly and make [a lot] of money."

Mr. Aretis said while in Haiti he spoke with a land developer who has plans to construct a gated community.

"He wants me to come back and build 10 houses with him," he said. "…So to all the contractors out there, Haiti is the place to go."

An emotional Pamela Forbes St-Laurent shared a similar story.

She said her recent trip to Haiti is one she will never forget.

"My advice to those who are of Haitian descent is simply please go back. The country needs you. The people need you…Right now things are totally different," Mrs. St. Laurent said.

"…You’re working here in The Bahamas – work, but don’t forget where you came from. To other persons who may feel that Haiti is not a country to invest in, go there yourself and see what Haiti has to offer…Think about this. If the United States were to say one day that we cannot bring food to The Bahamas, what would happen to The Bahamas? We should make use of Haiti’s land."

While supporting the idea of Bahamians investing in Haiti, Chamber of Commerce President Dionsio D’Aguilar advised that they do so with caution.

"There is also a risk associated with being the first in an emerging market, but we’re cautious people. We are not going to move large amounts of capital in there initially," Mr. D’Aguilar said.

"But you know we get on the ground. You establish your contacts. You observe the way business is done in Haiti and then as you get more comfortable, you start to make greater investments. You see what the opportunities are and then you start to take advantage."

According to Mr. D’Aguilar, telecommunications is a "wonderful example" of how Jamaica has tapped into Haiti’s economy.

He said until a year ago, there were only two cell phone companies there – one with 500,000 customers, the other with 300,000.

"Along comes Digicel, who decides to sell its cell phones inexpensively to make them more accessible to the masses," Mr. D’Aguilar said.

"In less than a year, they have 1.8 million customers and are growing by leaps and bounds."

3 October 2007