Bridges Weekly Trade News Digest • Volume 7 • Number 39 • 19th November 2003
HAITI Trade Policy Review Highlights Need For Socio-Political Stability
The WTO completed its first Trade Policy Review (TPR) of Haiti on 6 November 2003. Haiti is one of the most open economies in the Western Hemisphere due to reforms undertaken since 1986. Despite its liberal economy, Haiti continues to be the poorest country and the only Least Developed Country (LDC) in the Western Hemisphere. The TPR stressed that structural components of Haiti’s reforms have not been implemented properly, a factor with negative repercussions on the economy’s performance. The report went on to stress the need for socio- political stability, which it said would allow Haiti to proceed with its reforms and to fully exploit its preferential trade status with developed countries as an LDC. The report also highlighted the importance of international support for Haiti’s liberalisation programme, recognising its unilateral efforts under difficult socio- political circumstances. It urged the international community to give Haiti all the assistance required to increase its participation in the multilateral trading system.
To access the TPR report, visit http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp222_e.htm.
"Socio-political stability would help Haiti to benefit from its liberalisation effort," WTO RELEASE, 6 November 2003.