ARTICLE - MARTELLY - HAITIANS ABROAD

THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF HAITIANS ABROAD AT THE HEART OF THE MARTELLY TOUR
(Haiti Libre) -

The tour of President Martelly and of his delegation, ended yesterday Thursday. If the promotion of business diplomacy pervaded each meeting, President Martelly and Chancellor Lamothe, have not failed to highlight in many circumstances, the difficult living conditions of our compatriots in the countries visited and required improvements.

Minister Lamothe met during the last working day of the delegation, the authorities and members of the business sector of the Netherlands Antilles, in order to promote business diplomacy, and to find immediate solutions to problems faced by the Haitian community that frequents the free zones of this region. President Martelly responded to the many petitions asking for a personal intervention in that sense.

Chancellor Lamothe explained further that Governor Frits Goedgedrag and Prime Minister Gerrit Schotte, of Curacao had given President Martelly and the rest of the delegation a warm welcome. Many Dutch investors, based in Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire have responded positively to the calls of Haitian officials for investments in Haiti, mainly in the field of tourism and new infrastructure.

This mission to the Netherlands Antilles followed a visit to the Republic of Panama, where the delegation was greeted by Panamanian President Ricardo Alberto Martinelli, and Panamanian Foreign Minister Roberto Enrique, with whom the Haitian authorities had similarly addressed the issue of the business sector of Haitien traders, too long mistreated during their business trips, and for whom President Martelly and the Foreign Minister requested better considerations.

In this context, the President of Panama, at the request of President Martelly, has signed a decree reducing the cost of visas for Haitians traders in Haiti to $50 instead of $1,000 that was previously required. Foreign Minister Laurent Lamothe has also signed an agreement with his Panamanian counterpart, Mr Roberto Enrique, for the rights of Haitian workers and traders who are systematically protected, while promising to ensure the safety of Panamanian investors invited to settle in Haiti.

The presidential delegation, in The Bahamas had the same voice for the Bahamian officials, noting that Haiti is open for business and research, across a secure partnership with investment-related business diplomacy. President Michel Martelly and Foreign Minister Laurent Lamothe have discussed with the Governor-General of the Bahamas, Arthur Foulkes, immigration problems faced by fellow Haitians and requested immediate solutions consistent with international conventions in this area. The authorities of both countries have agreed to set up joint structures to combat drug trafficking and crime, promote agriculture and strengthen peace in the region.

The presidential delegation met with the members of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, the private business sector in Venezuela, investor groups in Panama and the Netherlands Antilles who have promised, before the departure of President Martelly to participate in the recovery of Haiti.