ARTICLE - "A NEW HAITIAN DREAM IS POSSIBLE"

"A NEW HAITIAN DREAM IS POSSIBLE"
(Haiti Libre) -

Laurent Lamothe, the Prime Minister-designate, delivered the opening address at the second annual symposium on Finance and Applied Technology, organized by the Groupe Croissance, which is being held in Haiti at the Hotel Karibe, from 17 to 20 April 2012, and which brings together local and international actors to discuss public finances on the theme, "Facilitate financial inclusion in Haiti."

Opening speech by Laurent Lamothe:

"...This event has a particular importance, because financial inclusion is at the heart of my concerns and government actions; that I will put into place, if the Haitian Parliament puts their confindence in me, after having pronounced my statement of General Policy.

I also appreciate greatly that the promoters of this event, have thought to honor personalities who have distinguished themselves in the economic and financial scenes. Our youth need models, and we must ensure to always show them as examples [...]

As you know, President Michel Martelly made ​​me a great honor by choosing me to lead the next government. Aware of the challenges expected by the Nation, I agreed, with the sole ambition to serve my country and work hard with passion and fervor, to the landing of objectives of progress and social and economic development, advocated by the Head of State.

Among these objectives, are the establishment of financial mechanisms allowing the access of capital for small and micro entrepreneurs. The action of my government will be part of an accompanying vision of the private initiative, for the emergence of a dense network of companies and especially SMEs, in various fields such as housing and building, agriculture, agribusiness, tourism, handicrafts, textiles, manufacturing, and services in general, not to mention micro-enterprises.

This is mainly by operating major levers, perhaps not used so far, that the efforts of the State will achieve more significant results for the benefit of our people. We will need for example, to address the issue of the renovation of the existing incentive framework. I am referring here to the investment code, the law on free zones, the tax code, and many others. I think for the renovation of the business environment, the simplification measures and of administrative facilitation, to develop new mechanisms to support SMEs, I am thinkin of a venture capital fund, for new mechanisms of guarantees, and equity loans.

Inclusion must be the key word of all policies aiming to remove our brothers and sisters, the most vulnerable from poverty, hunger and a lack of opportunities. Inclusion will be the key word of my government, which intends to establish a special fund, which will be allocated primarily to fund small projects, and medium-sized businesses, across the country. In the coming days, the nation will be informed on the details of this fund, and other activities and actions, to promote access to credit for those who are usually left out of the system [...]

A major emphasis will be given to the issue of access to credit in general, that of the access to SMEs, which will benefit from my closest attention. How many good projects that create jobs, were never launched due to lack of financial means from small promoters,... and often we are talking about small amounts: 20,000, 25,000, 50,000 gourdes? You are aware that the creation of conditions conducive to massive investments in growth sectors of the national economy, is a major strategic axis of the Government, in accordance with the vision of the President of the Republic, Mr. Michel Martelly, with respect to the imperative of reconstruction and the development of our country.

The creation of wealth through the promotion of private investment, including SMEs and micro-enterprises, will be the main determinant of job creation in the program of my Government.

[...] The State must play completly its role as a catalyst for private investment in the competitive sectors of the economy, including tourism and agriculture, through a series of actions aimed at modernizing the framework for conducting business: the development of road infrastructure, power, ports and airport, the systematic use of public-private partnerships to overcome the constraints of the deficits of state financial resources; the multiplication of growth poles by creating special economic zones; the use of idle liquidity of the banking system to finance viable and creditworthy projects, and a support particular to micro, small and medium businesses by expanding access to credit; and the intensification of vocational training and training activities of informal operators. Change, modernity, and development are primarily the product of a reflection before being translated into material terms [...]

A new Haitian dream is possible, but the task will be huge.... I say 'we' because the success will be collective; that is why I intend to associate my efforts of financial inclusion in all economic and financial sectors of the national life, which are also widely represented this evening in this conference room. I wish good luck and success to the organizers and participants in this important colloquium.

Thank you"