ARTICLE - END OF ECOSOC MISSION

END OF THE ECOSOC MISSION
(Haiti Libre) -

Arriving in Haiti on May 21 for a working visit of 4 days, the delegation of the Special Advisory Group on Haiti of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) concluded, on May 24, its 3rd mission [since June 2011].

At a press conference Thursday at the Police Academy, the delegation gave an update on its mission in Haiti, "Boosting the economy must go hand in hand with the rule of law, which involves the support for governance, to the judiciary, to the police and prison system [...] so that an enabling environment for investment is created," said Ambassador Gilles Rivard, Canada's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Head of the Delegation.

Mr. Rivard, who emphasizes that he noted the willingness of leaders to relaunch the country economically, believes that "efforts" are needed to "strengthen the rule of law, as well as road infrastructure to facilitate agro-industry, one of the sectors, in addition to tourism, ikely to support the development of Haiti." According to him, in effect, "there is a potential, and the will is there [...], but the respect of commitments made, is the real challenge for the government."

Therefore, he stressed to the number of recommendations made to the Executive, that it is important that the President of the Republic and members of the Haitian Government, meet the leaders of friendly countries, and the leaders of international institutions, to "sell the government's strategy", and thus keep Haiti in the international "agendas".

The Group also hopes that steps will be taken to prevent brain drain to foreign countries, and, if possible, encourage the return home of Haitian professionals.

Of its field visits, the delegation said to have noted "major changes", including the decrease in the number of IDP camps, and advancement in the process of clearing and removal of rubble in Port-au-Prince, while welcoming to "being able to travel by road between Cap-Haitien (North) and the municipalities of Ouanaminthe and Caracol (Northeast)," where members of the Special Advisory Group visited a free zone, which employs thousands of Haitians in sub-contracting, and the industrial park under construction.