ARTICLE - HAITI AMONG LCD'S TO BENEFIT

HAITI AMONG LCDs TO BENEFIT FROM NEW PROGRAMME
(Jamaica Observer) - By CMC

UNITED NATIONS — Haiti is expected to benefit from a new 10-year programme for the world's poorest nations.

Talks have started in Turkey bringing together heads of state, lawmakers, civil society organisations, the private sector and chiefs of international agencies as the least developed countries (LDCs) seek to implement measures for building infrastructure to attain economic self-sufficiency, decrease poverty and create decent jobs.

A UN statement said that Haiti is among the 48 nations — 33 in Africa and 14 in Asia — that will benefit from the initiative.

Among the features of the May 9-13 UN conference will be an LDC trade fair as well as a private sector forum and CEO summit on international business opportunities in these countries.

"But the LDCs average a 50 per cent rate of extreme poverty, are victimised by deadly disease and climate change and remain highly vulnerable to political or external economic shocks.," the UN said.

A report released in late March by an expert panel appointed by the UN secretary general warned of continued marginalisation of these countries.

"Rising food prices pose a severe challenge and an opportunity. Most LDCs are net food importers and one third of their populations are chronically malnourished.

"But if modern infrastructure is in place and local farmers have access to necessary support, they might benefit from firm prices and launch a turnaround in low-productivity agriculture, the UN statement said.