WORLD TRADE WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
27October 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-4687)
High-Level Meeting onIntegrated Initiatives for
Least-Developed Countries 'Trade Development
COUNTRY-SPECIFIC ROUND TABLES: DOCUMENTATION
Haiti
Addendum
Documentation fortheRound Table Meeting forHaiti.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
Page2
REPLIES TOTHE WTO CHECK-LIST FOR CONDUCTING ANASSESSMENT
OFHAITI 'SNEEDS WITH RESPECT TOTRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE AND HUMAN AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY
BUILDING INTHE FRAMEWORK OFTHE HIGH-LEVEL
MEETING OF27AND 28OCTOBER 1997
A. Trade policy
(a) What arethesectors thatyoubelieve haveunexploited orunder-exploited export potential?
Thesectors are:
- agriculture;
- agro-industry;
- handicrafts;
- services, particularly tourism.
(b) Could youplease define yourcountry 'sperspective ofthereasons foranychanges inthe
structure anddirection ofexports andimports?
Thechanges aredueabove alltotheprogressive liberalization oftheHaitian market which
began in1986. Thisliberalization hasinvolved thelowering ofimport duties andtheelimination of
non-tariff measures (quota regime).
(c) What have been theobjectives oftrade policy inthemost recent period, compared to,
say,twodecades ago?
Inthemost recent period, trade policy hashadtwoobjectives:
Liberalizationofthedomesticmarketthroughthereductionofcustomsdutiesandtheelimination
ofnon-tariff measures (non-automatic licensing), progressive transfer oftheproduction process
from theState totheprivate sector, andimproved integration ofHaiti intothemultilateral
trade system.
(d) What aretheMinistries incharge oftrade policy matters, including formulation,
implementation,enforcementandmonitoring?Howiscoordinationmade?Whataretherespective
rolesoftherelevant Ministries (giveparticular attention totariff policies andother policies directly
affecting exports andimports ofgoods andservices)?
They are:
- TheMinistry ofTrade andIndustry, responsible fordefining andimplementing trade
policy. ThisMinistry isinvolved inageneral wayinallareasoftradepolicy, including
theformulation oftaxandcustoms policy, trade-related aspects ofintellectual property
rights, import licensing, etc.;WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
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- theMinistry oftheEconomy andFinance, which isabove allinvolved inthecustoms,
tax,monetary andservices areas (banks, insurance andreinsurance etc.);
- theMinistry ofAgriculture, Natural Resources andRural Development, responsible
foragricultural policy andforphytosanitary andzoosanitary matters;
- theMinistry ofPublic Health andPopulation, which isinvolved inprocedures forthe
importation ofpharmaceuticals andchemicals.
Public sector institutions dealing withtradepolicy matters donotinteract witheachother, and
thiscauses serious coordination problems.
(e) Howaretheprivate sector andacademic institutions associated withtheformulation and
conduct oftrade policy?
InHaiti, theroleoftheprivate sector andacademic institutions intheformulation andconduct
oftrade policy israther vague. These sectors arenotdirectly associated withtrade policy matters.
However, thecurrent trend isforthepublic authorities toassociate themmore andmore closely with
theformulationandimplementationoftradepolicy,asreflectedintherecentcreationofspecialstructures
bringingtogetherthepublicandprivatesectors,suchastheCommissionPrésidentiellepourlaCroissance
etlaModernisation(PresidentialCommissionforGrowthandModernization)andtheTariffCommission.
(f) What aretheinstitutions inyour country thatcanplayaroleinimplementation ofa
trade-related project atthelocal level? State their respective roles.
These institutions are:
- TheMinistry ofTrade andIndustry, responsible fordefining andimplementing trade
policy.Itisapublicentity,responsibleinparticularforthemanagementofinternational
trade, thedevelopment andpromotion offoreign trade, etc;
- theMinistry oftheEconomy andFinance, responsible foreconomic, monetary and
financial policy matters;
- theMinistry ofAgriculture, Natural Resources, andRural Development, responsible
fortheformulation andimplementation ofagricultural policy, andforphytosanitary
andzoosanitary measures;
- theMinistry ofPublic Health andPopulation, which isinvolved inprocedures forthe
importation ofpharmaceuticals;
- theMinistry ofForeign Affairs, which actsasalinkbetween theHaitian institutions
involved intrade policy matters andtheUnited Nations specialized agencies suchas
ITC, UNCTAD, WTO, World Bank, IMFandUNDP;
- theBanque delaRépublique d'Haïti(BRH) (Bank oftheRepublic ofHaiti), responsible
formonetary andfinancial matters;
- theAdministration Générale desDouanes (General Customs Administration), a
decentralized public institution under theauthority oftheMinistry oftheEconomy
andFinance, responsible forcustoms policy matters;WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
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- private sector associations: ADIH, CCIH, etc.
(g) What arethemain lawsandregulations dealing withtrade policy -onexports andimports?
Please provide ashort description ofeach.
Themain lawsandregulations dealing withtrade policy onexports andimports are:
- Onexports:
TheIndustrial Investment Code (CII), which grants advantages toexporting enterprises
intheform ofcustoms dutyexemption, particularly onrawmaterials;
- Onimports:
TheCustoms Tariff Law, which contains thetariff headings andthecustoms duty
rates applicable toimported goods. TheHaitian Parliament recently ratified the
International Convention ontheHarmonized Commodity Description andCoding
System. Atthesame time, anewdraftcustoms tariff lawiscurrently intheprocess
ofratification bytheChamber ofDeputies andtheSenate. Following the
implementation oftheHS, theHaitian Government plans torenegotiate its
Schedule XXVI oftariff concessions deposited withtheWTO Secretariat;
- Decree of4November 1987submitting seven products toaquota regime. Theproducts
are:rice; maize; millet; beans; fresh refrigerated, frozen, prepared orpreserved
porkmeat andoffal withtheexception ofpigfat;poultry inpieces; andsugar.
However, following adecision bytheCouncil ofMinisters, theprovisions oftheDecree
weresuspended andtheimport oftheseproducts isnowsubject onlytosimple advance
notice procedures requiring nomore thantwodays;
- Decreeof3October1983concerninginspectionbytheSociété Générale deSurveillance
(SGS). Inspection ofgoods bytheSGSgenerally concerns thequality, quantity and
price ofgoods entering Haiti. TheHaitian State reserves therighttochange thelist
ofgoods subject toinspection. However, theactivities oftheSGShavebeensuspended
inHaiti;
- Notice of31October 1983 subjecting goods thatarenotsubject toimport licensing
toadvance notice ofimport.
(h) What arethemain instruments oftrade policy -onexports andimports? Please elaborate
(e.g.onimport restrictions, thequestions might be:onwhat product arethere anyimport bans;
onwhat products arethere quantitative import restrictions, licensing requirements etc.; what
isthehighest tariff ratecurrently inuse;arethere anyexcise taxes, other "domestic" taxes that
areapplied differently toimported goods ortogoods, ofatypethatareprincipally imported?).
Theprincipal trade policy instruments are:
- Onexports:
- Elimination ofcustoms duties.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
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- Onimports:
- Theapplicable customs duties withratesvarying between 0and15percent.
Rawmaterials, inputs, subproducts, etc.aresubject toacustoms dutyof0to
5percent. Forfinished products, however, theratevaries from5to15per
cent. Inaddition tocustoms duties, there isafurther burden onimports in
theformofdomestic taxes: aturnover tax,generally of10percent(Law of
19September 1982 asamended bytheDecrees of4April 1984,
10October 1984, 26March 1985, 29August 1989 and28September 1990,
andtheLaws of5February 1995 and11June1996); verification fees; an
excise tax(Law of3September 1971 asamended bytheDecree of
26February1982,theLawof19September1982,theDecreesof4April1984,
6March 1985, 30September 1985, 3July1986, 26August 1987,
27September 1987 andtheLaws of5February 1995 and11June1996);
- Thenon-tariff measures suchasimport licensing, recently suspended bya
decision oftheCouncil ofMinisters. Until now, theonlyproducts thathad
beensubject toimport licensing were rice; maize; beans; millet; fresh,
refrigerated, frozen, prepared orpreserved pork meat andoffal withthe
exception ofpigfat;andpoultry inpieces; andsugar;
- The measure limiting theimportation ofused vehicles: Decree of
12February 1987. Import authorization islimited toonevehicle perperson
peryear. TheDecree concerns onlyindividual importers, andnotcardealers;
- Prohibitionsinrespectofusedclothing,tomatopasteandderivatives(ref.Order
of30June1980), warweapons, narcotics andwaste products. With respect
totomato paste, thismeasure hasbeensuspended andisnotcurrently inforce;
thus, tomato paste canbeimported without restriction.
(i) IncaseyouareaWTO Member orintheprocess ofacceding, howisyour country
preparing itself tocomply withtheWTO Agreements?
Asanoriginal Member oftheWTO, Haitiistaking stepstorevise itslegislation andregulations
tobringthemintoconformitywiththeregulatoryframeworkofthedifferentmultilateraltradeagreements
oftheUruguay Round. Atthesame time, itistaking steps tocomply withitsobligations inthearea
ofnotification procedures. Inthisconnection, theinstitutions involved received thetechnical assistance
oftheWTO Secretariat intheform ofamission toHaiti from 11to15August 1997.
(j) What isthestate offamiliarity withtheWTO framework:
- Among government andgovernment-related agencies?
- intheprivate sector?
Neither thegovernment orgovernment-related agencies, northeprivate sector, isveryfamiliar
withtheWTO framework. Thisisaveryimportant question. Oneoftheobjectives oftheMinistry
ofTrade andIndustry, thechief public-sector institution responsible forthemanagement offoreign
tradeandtradenegotiations, istofamiliarize thedifferent domestic sectors withtheGATT/WTO rules
anddisciplines, including thedifferent multilateral trade agreements oftheUruguay Round. ItwasWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
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tothatendthattheMinistry organized, lastFebruary atPort-au-Prince, aseminar ontheWTO for
thebenefit ofthepublic andprivate sectors.
(k) What areyour technical assistance requirements withregard toyour compliance with
theWTO Agreements?
Inorder tocomply withtheWTO Agreements, Haiti needs thekindoftechnical assistance
thatwould enable itto:
- Implement theWTO Agreements. Thetechnical support oftheWTO Secretariat is
needed inupdating Haitian lawapplicable toareas managed bytheWTO;
- Respondtotherequirementsconcerningthenotificationofdomesticlawsandregulations
contained intheprovisions ofthevarious mechanisms oftheWTO Agreements;
- Strengthen thepublic andprivate-sector institutions directly involved intrade policy
matters,inparticulartheMinistryofTradeandIndustry,interaliathroughstafftraining
(courses, seminars, trade policy training courses, etc.).
(1) Inwhich specific areas oftheWTO Agreements doyouhave technical assistance needs
(e.g.market access, agriculture, rules (anti-dumping, subsidies, import licensing, rules oforigin,
safeguards etc.), TBT andSPS, Services, TRIPS)?
Thespecific areas inwhich Haiti needs technical assistance are:agriculture; market access;
TBTandSPS; services; TRIPs; anti-dumping; safeguards; customs valuation; rules oforigin;
andtextiles andclothing.
(m) What isyour assessment ofyour existing trade analysis andnegotiating capacities, both
multilateralandbilateral,inareasalreadycoveredbytheWTOAgreementsandothertrade-related
areas, e.g.competition policy andtrade andenvironment?
Inviewoftheshortage ofinformation, thecountry 'strade analysis andnegotiating capacities
areverylow.
B. Obstacles totrade expansion
Supply constrains, including institutional bottlenecks
(a) What arethemain bottlenecks inhibiting thedevelopment ofsustained export capacity
ofgoods andservices (e.g.customs facilitation, freight charges, quality management, elimination
ofcumbersomelegalandadministrativeprocedures,paucityofhumanskills,accessatinternational
prices toimported inputs, orinadequate telecommunication, portandtransport facilities etc.)?
- Land-locked countries mayfaceadditional problems, suchashaving toshipusing
costly orunreliable transport andports systems. Incasethisapplies toyour
country, please indicate suchproblems. What kindoftechnical assistance would
helpyouwork outthese problems?
Themain bottlenecks inhibiting thedevelopment ofsustained export capacity ofgoods and
services are:WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
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- Inadequate telecommunication, portandtransport facilities;
- paucity ofhuman skills, particularly inthefieldofforeign trade;
- quality management;
- insufficient understanding offoreign markets;
- lackoftrade promotion support mechanisms;
- highfreight charges.
(b) Arethere anyinstitutional bottlenecks, which mayimpede theefficient conduct ofyour
country 'strade policies? Provide details. Forexample, what aretheproblems perceived bythe
different actors, e.g.exporters, producers, service providers (banks, insurance companies, quality
control,transportersetc.),professionalassociationsandMinistries?Areproblemsmainlyperceived
intheareaof:
(i) Human resources;
(ii) management oftheinstitution;
(iii) financial andmaterial resources;
(iv) communication.
There are,indeed, institutional bottlenecks which impede theefficient conduct ofthecountry 's
tradepolicies. These bottlenecks arerelated totheobvious lackofinteraction between public andprivate
institutions involved intrade policy matters. Thus, theproblems perceived bythedifferent domestic
actors aremainly intheareas of:
(i) Human resources: shortage oftechnical staffthatisfamiliar, interalia,withtrade
policy matters ingeneral, tradepromotion, customs andtaxissues, international trade
negotiations, etc.Thisshortage isfeltnotonlyinthepublic sector, butalsointhe
private sector;
(ii) Financial andmaterial resources: financial andmaterial resources constitute an
importantbottleneckwhichgenerallylimitstheactivitiesofpublicandprivateinstitutions
involved intrade policy. Thelackofsuchresources isrelated tothecountry 'slow
capacity forgenerating thedomestic income needed tofinance, inparticular, projects
involving, forexample, export promotion anddevelopment, institution building, the
upgrading ofhuman resources, etc.
(iii) Management oftheinstitution:
- Shortage ofqualified human resources;
- lackoffinancial resources.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
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(iv) Communication:
- lackofinteraction;
- lackofcoordination ofactivities.
(c) What arethemain bottlenecks toexport diversification?
Themain bottlenecks toexport diversification are:
- Lack offinancial resources;
- limited exportable supply;
- compliance withquality standards;
- inadequate information onforeign market access conditions;
- lackofproduct marketing support services.
(d) Ifinvestment intheproduction ofgoods andservices isinadequate, what arethemain
reasons? Please elaborate them (e.g. structural constraints, difficulties inattracting foreign
investment, limited enterprise development, financing, lackofappropriate technology, etc.).
There areanumber ofreasons fortheinadequacy ofinvestment intheproduction ofgoods
andservices:
- Political instability;
- difficulties related tofinancing, particularly ofprojects, including thecostoffinancing;
- useofinappropriate technology;
- virtual absence ofproduction incentives;
- limited enterprise development;
- inadequate infrastructure (telephone, water, electricity), etc;
- landtenure system.
(e) Isthere anational policy toencourage export-related investment opportunities? Please
elaborate. What arrangements areinplace forreviewing, drafting andnegotiating contractual
arrangements withforeign investors?
TheCodeofInvestmentsstillremainstheonlyinstrumentfortheencouragementofexport-related
investment. Depending onitslocation, afirmmaybenefit from oneofthethree schemes inforce:
A,BandC.Iftheenterprise decides toconduct itsactivities atPort-au-Prince, thescheme applied
isscheme A,which provides foragrace period during which theenterprise isexempted fromcustoms
duties onrawmaterials, fromincome taxforaspecified period, andfromverification fees. Inaddition,
theTurnover TaxLawallows theexporter torecover duties levied onaproduct intended forexport.
Itshould benoted thatnewinvestment legislation iscurrently being prepared withrespect todifferential
treatment offoreign investors, particularly asregards income tax.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
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(f) What arethemain obstacles tothetransfer, development andacquisition oftechnology?
Isthere anynational policy/strategy inthisarea? Please elaborate.
Thechief obstacles tothetransfer, development andacquisition oftechnologies are:
- Shortage ofbasic infrastructure (telecommunications, electricity, etc.);
- verylowlevelofeducation;
- inadequate legalframework.
(g) What areyour technical assistance orother assistance needs with respect tosupply
constraints?
Technical assistance needs withrespect tosupply constraints are:
- Training ofhuman resources working inthefieldofforeign trade, notonlyinthepublic
sector, butalsointheprivate sector;
- modernization ofthelegislation applicable toforeign trade andinvestment, withdue
attention totheregulatory framework ofworld trade;
- formulation ofanational policy/strategy withrespect totheacquisition oftechnologies;
- development ofapolicy framework inthefields oftrade andindustry.
Trade promotion andtrade support services
(h) Doyour enterprises, especially small andmedium enterprises, experience difficulties in
expanding their exports? What arethese problems inthemajor export sectors?
Generally speaking, enterprises finditverydifficult todevelop theirexports. Theproblems
encountered inthemain export sectors include:
- Trouble inrespecting quality standards, including sanitary andphytosanitary standards
applied inforeign markets;
- inadequate understanding ofexport markets;
- insufficient mastery ofmodern management techniques.
(i) Whataretheproblemsforyourenterprisesinobtainingreliableandup-to-dateinformation
onexport/import business opportunities?
Very often, suchinformation isnotavailable owing tothelackofappropriate infrastructure;
absence ofatradeinformation centre; limited computerization, lackofstatistical publications, shortage
oftelecommunication services, inadequate financial means, etc.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
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(j) Canyour enterprises offer products ofinternationally acceptable design, quality and
packaging toforeign buyers? Ifnot,what aretheproblems?
Indeed, thedesign, quality andpackaging ofproducts offered toforeign buyers areoften
unacceptable. There arevarious reasons forthis,including theuseofobsolete technology; theuse
ofinappropriate, already amortized equipment; shortage ofhuman resources specialized ininternational
marketing, etc.
(k) What problems, other thaninterms oftrade policy, doyouanticipate indeveloping the
export ofservices (e.g.computer software, tourism)?
Such problems could include:
- Thetechnological aspect (technology transfer);
- limited human resources;
- inadequate financial resources;
- political andsocial instability;
- image problems.
(l) What arethetechnical/professional problems encountered bytrade support institutions
(e.g.trade promotion council, chamber ofcommerce, exporters 'association, etc.)inyourcountry
inproviding their services toexport/import enterprises?
Thetechnical/professional problems arerelated, interalia,tounavailability ofinformation,
lackofcommunication, lackofmaterial means andinsufficient human resources.
(m) What problems anddeficiencies areexperienced byenterprises intheir international
purchasing andinventory management?
Theproblems anddeficiencies are:delivery timeforgoods, inadequate knowledge ofsources
ofsupply, large-scale stockpiling totakeadvantage ofprices.
(n) What arethepresent availability andarrangements fortrade finance facilities (e.g.export
credit guarantees, etc.)? Arethere anyperceived deficiencies inthisarea?
Haitihasremained impervious tomodern tradefinance facilities. Financing institutions (trade
banks) donot,asarule,provide export credit. Norarethereanyexport credit guarantee mechanisms.
(o) What arethemain problems inthewayofimproving export/import management skills
ofyour business enterprises? Doyouhave training programmes inthecountry? What arethe
deficiencies?
InHaiti, companies involved inforeign trade donothavepersonnel thatisspecially trained
tooperate efficiently inthatarea.Onthewhole, thecompanies involved arefamily enterprises, small
andmedium enterprises without thefinancial resources needed toimprove theskills oftheirpersonnel.
Norarethere anytraining programmes inthecountry.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
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(p) Does your trade representation service actively promote your trade? What arethe
weaknesses?
Haiti doesnotyethaveanytrade representation service, although theOrganic Lawofthe
Ministry ofTrade andIndustry provides fortheposting ofcommercial attachés incertain partsofthe
world.
(q) Briefly describe yourtechnical assistance needs intheareaoftrade promotion andsupport
services.
Technical assistance needs intheareaoftrade promotion andsupport services include:
- Establishment ofasystem ofproduction incentives, particularly with respect to
investment projects forselected goods intended forexport;
- conducting ofastudy onthecreation ofanadequate institutional framework forthe
promotion oftrade;
- education and/or training ofhuman resources;
- improvement oftrade information;
- strengthening ofpublic andprivate sector institutions involved inthepromotion of
trade;
- organization ofanational programme forexport development andpromotion.
Market access
(r) What areyour main market access problems?
Themain market access problems include:
- Virtual absence ofproper information onthepossibilities offered byforeign markets;
- inadequate knowledge ofmarketing circuits;
- application ofdiscriminatory tariff andnon-tariff measures;
- lackofinformation onthepotential advantages offered within theframework ofthe
preferential mechanisms (GSP, GSTP, CBI, etc.);
- hightransport costs.
(s) What specific problems orbarriers, andinwhich countries, aremost troublesome for
your exporters?
- Non-tariff barriers, interalia,forexports totheDominican Republic;
- textile quotas, intheUnited States;
- costoftransport, forEuropeWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
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- lackofinformation andcontacts, fortherestoftheworld.
(t) Regional andsubregional trading arrangements (RTAs): Please listRTAs towhich your
country belongs. Areyousatisfied withtheperformance ofthese RTAs? Please statetheproblem
ofeach. Doyouhave suggestions onhowtosolve these?
Haiti recently acceded totheCaribbean Community (CARCICOM) andtheAssociation of
Caribbean States (ACS). Itdoesnotbelong toanyother regional orsubregional arrangement.
(u) Arethere anyproblems inutilizing theexisting market access preferences, suchasGSP,
GSTP? Please state thenature ofproblems relating toeachofthese.
Asregards GSP, theproblems include, interalia:
- Thevirtual unavailability ofthedifferent preference schemes attheMinistry ofTrade
andIndustry, thepublic sector institution responsible fortheirmanagement;
- theshortage ofhuman resources responsible foradministering theschemes;
- relative lackofawareness among exporters oftheadvantages ofpreferences asan
instrument forthepromotion anddiversification oftrade, etc.
Although Haiti ispartoftheGSTP, exporters donotusethemechanism owing tothelack
ofinformation onhowitfunctions.
(v) What areyoutechnical assistance needs withrespect tomarket access?
Technical assistance needs withrespect tomarket access concern:
- Staff education and/or training ofstaffinthefield ofpreferences (GSP, GSTP),
including theorganization, inHaiti, ofseminars andworkshops ontheuseofthese
mechanisms bythedomestic sectors concerned;
- improvement ofinformation channels designed toenhance theexploitation offoreign
market outlets, interaliathrough preference schemes, etc.
- theorganization ofastudy ontheopportunities forHaitian products onforeign markets.
C. Technical assistance
(a) Totheextent thiskindofinformation iseasily available, could youplease briefly describe
what trade-related assistance youhave received over thepastfiveyears from bilateral and
multilateral sources andwhatprojects/programmes arepresently under consideration inthisarea?
Multilateral technical assistance
ITCMission, 1995: Examination ofthepossibilities ofreviving theITC'sactivities inHaiti,
interaliawithrespecttotradepromotionactivities.Themissiondidnotproduceanyproject/programme.
Inter-Agency Mission ontheIndustrial andTrade Sectors (MIA): Revival andtransformation,
achallenge fortheindustrial andtradesectors -October 1996. Made upoffourUnited Nations agencies
(UNDP, UNIDO, UNCTAD andITC), theMIA'smission wastoprepare aplanfortheimplementationWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
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ofthestrategy forthedevelopment oftheindustrial andtradesectors. Themission hasnotyetproduced
anyproject/programme.
WTO Seminar -February 1996: Seminar organized forpublic administration andprivate-sector
staffinvolved intrade policy matters withaviewtoinforming themofthenewregulatory framework
ofworld trade resulting from theUruguay Round.
GATT/WTO Mission -February 1995: Mission intended tohelptheHaitian authorities to
prepare schedules oftariffconcessions andspecific commitments intheframework ofHaiti'saccession
totheWTO. Theschedules were prepared andsubsequently transmitted totheWTO Secretariat.
UNCTAD/GATTMission-1996-SYDONIA:MissiondesignedtohelptheHaitianGovernment
tointroduce theSYDONIA system inHaiti. Theresulting project isalready welladvanced.
UNCTAD/GATT Mission 1996: Mission designed tostudy thepossibilities ofsetting up
atrade point inHaiti. Noproject/programme hasyetbeensetupinconnection withthisinitiative.
Bilateral technical assistance
Chile
Organization inHaiti ofaseminar onforeign trade andinvestment -May1996.
Organization ofasecond seminar onforeign trade andinvestment -May1997.
Republic ofChina
Mission ofHaitian technical stafftotheRepublic ofChina intheframework ofaproject for
theestablishment ofindustrial estates inHaiti.
(b) Please summarize your technical assistance needs aswellasother needs asreflected in
thischecklist. Please rank them interms ofpriority.
Haiti'stechnical assistance needs canbesummarized asfollows:
- Drawing upofadetailed inventory ofHaiti'sexportable supply: thisinvolves assessing
thecurrent situation intheareas ofagricultural, agro-industrial andmanufacturing
production forforeign markets withaviewtoformulating anintegrated national policy
forthedevelopment andpromotion ofexports, particularly non-traditional exports;
- training ofhuman resources inthefieldofforeign trade, notonlyinthepublic sector,
butalsointheprivate sector. Thistraining would involve, inparticular, trade policy
matters (courses, training courses, seminars, workshops, etc.), theuseofpreferential
mechanisms (GSP, GSTP, etc.), foreign tradepromotion techniques, quality standards,
standardization/testing andmetrology, trade dataprocessing techniques, etc;
- tradeinformation:improvementoftradeinformationbysettingupsuitablemanagement
structures (establishment ofatrade information centre, atrade point, etc.);
- strengthening ofpublic andprivate sector institutions involved intrade promotion;
- conducting ofstudies onforeign market opportunities forHaitian products;WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
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- conducting ofastudy onthecreation ofasuitable institutional framework forthe
promotion oftrade;
- modernization ofHaitian legislation andregulations ontrade andinvestment. This
modernization would becarried out,inparticular, inthecontext oftheimplementation
oftheWTO Agreements;
- establishment offoreign trade support mechanisms (market surveys, participation in
fairsandexhibitions etc.);
- quality, standardization, testing andmetrology, particularly inconnection withthe
formulation ofanational policy inthatarea,fromthetriple pointofviewofproduction,
export ofgoods, and/or export ofservices. Itisalsoessential todesign themost
appropriateinstitutionalframeworkpossiblewithdueregardtotheinteractionofseveral
domestic actors inthose areas.
(c) Inthelight oftheinformation youhave been abletoprovide sofarinresponse tothe
questions inthischecklist, what types ofinformation are,inyour view, stillmissing andcould
beimproved upon? Inorder toassist youinproviding thismissing information, would youneed
technical assistance?
Alloftheinformation provided thusfarhasbeenexhaustive andnoneofitneeds tobeimproved
upon.
(d) Does your country have thetechnological capacity andhuman resources tomake useof
thenewinformation/communication technology tools suchasCD-Rom, theInternet etc? What
assistance would youneedtoenable yourcountry tousethese toolsinthecontext oftraining and,
more generally, inthecontext oftrade development?
Theuseofthese newtechnologies isnotatallwidespread inHaiti, either inthepublic orin
theprivatesector.Thislargelyexplainswhythecountryhasfallensofarbehindincollecting,processing
anddisseminating information inallforms, asituation which isfurther aggravated byacute
telecommunication problems.
Technical assistance toHaiti inthisareacould include:
- Supply ofcomputer equipment, particularly tothepublic sector institutions involved
intheforeign trade matters, promotion offoreign trade, etc,inorder tohelpthem
toimprove theirmanagement ofindustrial andtrade information asafactor inthe
development offoreign trade;
- thetraining ofhuman resources intheuseofthese tools.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
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Integrated Response
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Reply
Inreply toquestion A(k):
Technical assistance requirements for
compliance withWTO Agreements
Haiti needs thekindoftechnical
assistance thatwould enable itto:
Implement theWTO Agreements.
Thetechnical support ofthe
WTO Secretariat isneeded in
updating Haitian lawapplicable to
areas managed bytheWTO.UNDP TheUNDP, incooperation with
UNCTAD, isproviding assistance to
theGovernment ininstalling
SYDONIA. Thisproject also
addresses some aspects oflegislation
notification requirements. Another
project insupport oftheParliament
willalsodealwithsome aspects ofthe
reform ofthecodes.
WTO WTO isready toprovide assistance, in
Haiti, foradapting national lawsand
regulations tobeinconformity with
WTO Agreements (1998-2000).
Anevaluation mission willbe
scheduled for1998 inorder to
determine theappropriate adjustments.
Respond totherequirements
concerning thenotification of
domestic lawsandregulations
contained intheprovisions ofthe
various mechanisms oftheWTO
Agreements.WTO TheWTO canprovide assistance in
theform ofaspecial session on
notification requirements.
Thissession willtakeplace in
conjunction withother aidactivities
planned for1998.
Strengthen thepublic andprivate-
sector institutions directly involved
intrade policy matters, inparticular
theMinistry ofTrade andIndustry,
interaliathrough stafftraining
(courses, seminars, trade policy
training courses, etc.).UNCTAD Aproject willbeconducted ontrade
analysis andthedevelopment oftrade
capacity.*
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
Page16
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Reply
Question A(k)(cont'd):
UNDP/
ITCTheGovernment andUNDP are
supporting thePrivate Sector -Public
Sector Partnership initiative. The
project hasthefollowing objectives:
(a) Strengthening andcreating
mechanisms toencourage
dialogue between thepublic and
private sectors;
(b) preparing atraining andsupport
programme forentrepreneurs,
designed toenable them to
operate oncompetitive markets,
bothnational andinternational;
(c) drawing upaprogramme to
improve thecompetitiveness of
enterprises bymeans ofquality
promotion andcontrol and
standardization.
WTO Tostrengthen existing institutions, the
WTO willcarry outthefollowing
actions forthetraining and
information ofmanagers ofthese
institutions inregard tothemultilateral
trade system:
- Anational seminar in1998 on
textiles andservices;
- participation byrepresentatives
ofHaiti inthespecialized
seminars organized forFrench-
speaking LDCs (1998 and
1999);
- athree-week training course on
trade policy willbeorganized
forFrench-Speaking LDCs
(1998 and1999).
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
Page17
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Reply
Inreply toquestion A(l):
Technical assistance needs inspecific
areas oftheWTO Agreements
Agriculture WTO SeeA(k).
Market access WTO SeeA(k).
TBTandSPS WTO SeeA(k).
Services WTO SeeA(k).
TRIPS WTO Under theWTO/WIPO Technical
Cooperation Agreement, assistance
willbeprovided forthetraining of
Haitian civilservants andintheform
ofdissemination ofinformation and
supplies ofteaching materials.
Anti-dumping WTO - SeeA(k).
- Assistance inthedrafting or
revision oflawswillalsobe
decided aftertheevaluation
mission (1998-2000).
Safeguards WTO - SeeA(k).
- Assistance regarding thedrafting
orrevision oflawswillalsobe
decided aftertheevaluation
mission (1998-2000).
Customs valuation WTO - SeeA(k).
- Assistance intherevision of
lawsinforce willalsobe
decided attheendofthe
evaluation mission (1998-2000).
Rules oforigin WTO SeeA(k).
Textiles andclothing WTO SeeA(k).
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
Page18
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Reply
Inreply toquestion A(m):
Assessment oftrade analysis and
negotiating capacities
Inviewoftheshortage of
information, thecountry 'strade
analysis andnegotiating capacities
areverylow.UNCTAD UNCTAD isproviding theTRAINS
analysis andinformation system and
willtrainthestaffneeded tooperate
it.*
WTO During short-term training courses in
trade policy (cf.A(k)above), a
training module willbeincluded inthe
programme inorder tofamiliarize
participants withmultilateral trade
negotiations.
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
Page19
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Reply
Inreply toquestion B(g):
Technical assistance needs with
respect tosupply constraints
Training ofhuman resources
working inthefieldofforeign trade,
notonlyinthepublic sector, butalso
intheprivate sector.ITC SeeA(k). TheITChasoffered a
series ofactivities intended toassess
existing needs andcapacity fortraining
inforeign trade, including the
development ofthebasic teaching
materials.*
UNCTAD TheTRAINFORTRADE programme
willbeimplemented.*
IBRD Acurrent World Bank Technical
Assistance Project supports (a)public
sector reform, (b)privatization, and
(c)modernization ofpublic
enterprises. Thisproject willincrease
output ofelectricity andimprove
telecommunications. Itwillalso
support improvements intheportand
airport sectors.
TheIFCprovides advice tothe
Government onprivatization. A
current World Bank Transportation
Project supports roadmaintenance and
rehabilitation, particularly roads
serving theairport andtheports.
UNDP Asregards thetraining ofhuman
resources working inthefieldof
foreign trade, notonlyinthepublic
sector, butalsointheprivate sector,
theUNDP doesnotyethaveaspecific
project. Nevertheless, thereport of
theInter-Agency Mission onthe
Industrial andTrade Sectors also
includes recommendations inthis
regard andUNDP could support such
activities, through thePrivate Sector -
Public Sector Partnership Project, for
example.
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
Page20
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Reply
Question B(g)(cont'd):
IBRD Current World Bank support ofhuman
resource development focuses on
primary education andbasic public
health.
Current World Bank support is
provided forgeneral public service
reform.
WTO SeeA(k).
Modernization ofthelegislation
applicable toforeign trade and
investment, withdueattention tothe
regulatory framework ofworld
trade.UNCTAD Consultancy services andtraining will
beprovided ininvestment policy in
general andinvestment legislation in
particular.*
WTO Seereply A(k).
IBRD TheWorld Bank hassupported reform
oftrade restrictions andwillcontinue
tosupport suchreform.
Development ofapolicy framework
inthefields oftrade andindustryTheagencies haveindicated their
willingness tocooperate withthe
Government inidentifying specific
operational needs andsetting
priorities.
Itwillbenecessary toholdfurther
talkswiththeGovernment todevelop
specific projects andprogrammes and
work outtheterms offinancing.
IBRD Current World Bank support is
provided forgeneral public service
reform.
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
Page21
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Reply
Inreply toquestion B(q):
Technical assistance needs inthe
areaoftrade promotion andsupport
services
Education and/or training ofhuman
resourcesUNCTAD SeeB(g).
ITC SeeB(g)andA(k).
WTO SeeA(k)andA(l).
Improvement oftrade information ITC SeeB(g). TheITChasfurthermore
proposed thecreation ofatrade
information centre tomeetthecurrent
needs ofenterprises.*
UNCTAD TRAINS, seeA(l).
Strengthening ofemployer
associations
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
Page22
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Reply
Inreply toquestion B(v):
Technical assistance needs with
respect tomarket access
Staffeducation and/or training of
staffinthefieldofpreferences
(GSP, GSTP), including the
organization, inHaiti, ofseminars
andworkshops ontheuseofthese
mechanisms bythedomestic sectors
concernedUNCTAD Assistance willbeprovided to
overcome thedifficulties ofusing the
GSPand,more generally, information
willbeprovided onconditions of
market access andtheimplementation
oftheGSTP. Additional resources
willbesought tocomplete those
available fortheexisting interregional
projects (SeealsoUNDP hereunder).
ITC SeeB(g).
UNDP TheUNDP isready toprovide
technical assistance inmaking useof
theservices ofother corporation
agencies suchasUNCTAD andITC,
aswellastheWTO, while making
allowance forpresently existing
national possibilities. UNDP is
therefore exploring thepossibility of
organizing seminars onforeign trade,
withthetechnical support oftheWTO
andinconjunction withthe
Government andtheprivate sector.
Improvement ofinformation channels
designed toenhance theexploitation
offoreign market outlets, interalia,
through preference schemes, etc.ITC SeeB(q).
UNCTAD Inaddition totheTRAINS system
(seeA(m)), UNCTAD willsupport the
establishment ofaTrade Point which
willbelinked totheWorld Network
ofTrade Points.*
Theorganization ofastudy onthe
opportunities forHaitian products on
foreign marketsITC SeeA(k).
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
Page23
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Reply
Inreply toquestion C(b):
Summary oftechnical needs byorder
ofpriority
Drawing upofadetailed inventory
ofHaiti'sexportable supply: this
involves assessing thecurrent
situation intheareas ofagriculture,
agro-industrial andmanufacturing
production forforeign markets with
aviewtoformulating anintegrated
national policy forthedevelopment
andpromotion ofexports,
particularly non-traditional exportsITC SeeA(k).
UNCTAD SeeA(k).
IBRD SeeB(g).
Training ofhuman resources inthe
fieldofforeign trade, notonlyinthe
public sector, butalsointheprivate
sector. Thistraining would involve,
inparticular, trade policy matters
(courses, training courses, seminars,
workshops, etc.), theuseof
preferential mechanisms (GSP,
GSTP, etc.), foreign trade promotion
techniques, quality standards,
standardization/testing and
metrology, trade dataprocessing
techniques, etc.ITC SeeB(g).
UNCTAD SeeB(g)andB(v).
WTO SeeA(k), A(l)andA(m).
Trade information: improvement of
trade information bysetting up
suitable management structures
(establishment ofatrade information
centre, atrade point, etc.)ITC SeeB(q).
UNCTAD SeeB(v).
Conducting ofstudies onforeign
market opportunities forHaitian
productsITC SeeA(k).
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
Page24
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Reply
Question C(b)(cont'd):
Modernization ofHaitian legislation
andregulations ontrade and
investment. Thismodernization
would becarried out,inparticular,
inthecontext oftheimplementation
oftheWTO Agreements.UNCTAD SeeB(g).
WTO SeeA(k)andA(l).
Establishment offoreign trade
support mechanisms (market
surveys, participation infairsand
exhibitions, etc.)ITC SeeA(k).
Quality, standardization, testing and
metrology, particularly inconnection
withtheformulation ofanational
policy inthatarea, from thetriple
point ofviewofproduction, export
ofgoods, and/or export ofservices.
Itisalsoessential todesign themost
appropriate institutional framework
possible withdueregard tothe
interaction ofseveral domestic actors
inthose areas.UNDP/
(UNIDO)Thisproject relates tooneofthemost
important aspects ofUNDP support in
thisareaandonwhich PASIC andthe
Ministry ofTrade andIndustry are
currently working, withaviewto
introducing andimplementing a
national standardization, certification
andquality control policy.
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
Page25
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Reply
Inreply toquestion C(d):
Technological capacity andhuman
resources tomake useofthenew
information/communication
technology tools
Theuseofthese newtechnologies is
notatallwidespread inHaiti, either
inthepublic orintheprivate sector.
Thislargely explains whythe
country hasfallen sofarbehind in
collecting, processing and
disseminating information inall
forms, asituation which isfurther
aggravated byacute
telecommunication problems.
Technical assistance toHaiti inthis
areacould include:
-Supply ofcomputer equipment,
particularly tothepublic sector
institutions involved inforeign
trade matters, promotion of
foreign trade, etc.,inorder to
helpthem toimprove their
management ofindustrial and
trade information asafactor in
thedevelopment offoreign
trade;
-thetraining ofhuman resources
intheuseofthese tools.UNCTAD TheSYDONIA project isproviding
assistance inthecomputerization of
customs operations.
IMF While theFund hasnotprovided
direct technical assistance toHaiti in
theareaoftrade development, ithas
supported various trade promotion
initiatives (e.g., implementation ofa
Computerized Customs Information
System -SYDONIA, andadoption of
aharmonized andsimplified tariff
system) andincluded these measures
aspartofstructural reforms within the
Fund-supported economic reform
programme adopted bythe
Government ofHaiti in1996.
*Financing toberequested.WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
Page26
Technical assistance needs identified
inthequestionnaireOrganization Reply
Question C(d)(cont'd):
UNDP Asregards technological capacity and
human resources tomake useofthe
newinformation/communication
technology, twoUNDP projects are
providing assistance tothe
Government. First, theHAI/95/007
SYDONIA project (being runby
UNCTAD) isproviding support tothe
customs department, theMinistry of
Trade, Ministry oftheEconomy and
theCentral Bank inassembling foreign
trade statistics. Second, the
HAI/95/009 project, incollaboration
withtheIMF, specifically supports the
Haitian Statistical andInformation
Institute incollecting, processing and
disseminating alltypes ofinformation.
WTO TheWTO willbeabletosupply a
computer andalaserprinter forthe
Government focal point onquestions
related tothemultilateral trading
system (1998).
Similarly, theWTO willbeableto
provide thefocal point withthe
necessary Internet connections andto
supply Haiti withCD-ROMs. Itwill
alsoprovide training intheuseofthe
computer andelectronic equipment
(1998).
*Financing toberequested.