Monday, October 17, 2011

ARTICLE - MARTELLY - BIARRITZ FORUM

PRESIDENT MARTELLY AT THE BIARRITZ FORUM
(Haiti Libre) -

President Michel Martelly, returned Saturday from the Dominican Republic where he participated in the XII Biarritz Forum, which brought together some 30 countries and over two hundred institutions from Latin America and Europe.

The old dream of Simon Bolivar, of a single and united America is still today a dream. Despite many efforts to build patterns of convergence, the Latin America of today lacks of a vision that identifies it as a nation, an economy and a political community.

The Biarritz Forum aims to open spaces for pluralistic, multi-sectoral and geographical reflection in order to identify certain elements that could define "a new vision of Latin America for the 21st Century"; from the identification of a cultural proposal, a development model, and a common political project.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the XII Biarritz Forum, held at the Hotel Jaragua in Santo Domingo, the Head of State declared that the relations between the two countries, which share the second largest island in the Caribbean, are better than ever, while stressing that there is always room for improvement.

President Martelly, took advantage of this forum to promote Haiti and invite foreign investors to explore business opportunities offered by the country. The Head of State has indicated that Haiti does not need support, but investment and jobs to grow and allow every Haitian to meet his needs and those of his family.

Michel Martelly declared hat he wanted to establish tourism in Haiti as a national label. "We need hotels, roads, industries, airports" promoting the attractive aspects of the country. He made it clear to the representatives of institutions and countries present at this forum, that Haiti is open for business, and provided guarantees for security and protection of investments.

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