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Canada trade mission to Haiti and Dominican Republic, Sept 2012

Submitted by CHAN on September 9, 2012 - 09:48
Canada business mission to Haiti, Sept 2012, photo Le Nouvelliste.jpg
Canada businessmen meet their counterparts in Haiti, Sept 2012, photo Le Nouvelliste
Canada's recent trade mission to Haiti and the Dominican Republic went entirely unreported in Canada, except for an online story in the Halifax daily Chronicle Herald. Two Nova Scotia companies were among the 20 Canadian companies on the trade mission. Below are three new reports on the story. Canada says the "Open for business" policies of the Martelly/Lamothe government hold out good prospects for the future of the country.
 
1. Haiti “Remains a Focus” for Canada
 
Staff, Caribbean Journal, September 7, 2012
 
Bernard Valcourt, Canada’s associate minister of national defence and minister of state, concluded a trade mission to Haiti and the Dominican Republic Friday. The mission, which was conducted on behalf of Minister of International Trade Ed Fast, included members from 20 organizations, largely from the infratracture and agri-food sectors.
 
“The government of Canada is committed to promoting Canadian business abroad to create jobs, economic growth and prosperity for middle-class Canadian families,” Valcourt said in a statement. “We must deepen and broaden access to dynamic and high-growth markets around the world.”
 
The mission was aimed at matching Canadian capabilities with opportunities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It included discussions with Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina, Haiti President Michel Martelly and Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe.
 
Valcourt was on hand to see the lighting of new LED street lamps in the Dominican Republic built by a Canadian firm, along with Canadian businesses like Gildan Activewear that operate in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
 
Valcourt stressed his commitment to Haiti, particularly as a fellow member of La Francophonie, the global community of French-speaking nations. “Haiti remains a focus for La Francophonie and for Canada,” Valcourt said. “We aim to reinforce existing trade links and create new business opportunities between Canada and Haiti. The Haitian private sector and international investors have an important role to play in rebuilding and strengthening Haiti’s economy.”
 
Diane Ablonczky, Canada’s Minister of State of Foreign Affairs, said the trade mission was part of Canada’s approach to deepen its ties with nations in the Americas. “Canada is committed to the building and strengthening of economic partnerships to increase mutual prosperity in the Americas,” she said.
 
 
2. Minister Valcourt wraps up successful trade mission to the Dominican Republic and Haiti
 
Published on 4-Traders, Sept 7, 2012
 
The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Associate Minister of National Defence and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie), today concluded a trade mission to the Dominican Republic and Haiti on behalf of the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. Minister Valcourt was accompanied by Rob Merrifield, Chair of the Standing Committee on International Trade, and 20 organizations, primarily from the infrastructure and agri-food sectors.
 
"The Government of Canada is committed to promoting Canadian business abroad to create jobs, economic growth and prosperity for middle-class Canadian families," said Minister Valcourt. "We must deepen and broaden access to dynamic and high-growth markets around the world."
 
"By promoting and showcasing Canada's strengths and capabilities in target sectors and foreign markets, trade missions enhance Canada's profile and visibility on the international stage, while maximizing the benefits for world-class Canadian companies" said Minister Fast. "By helping Canadian businesses expand and succeed abroad, we are also helping to create jobs, growth and prosperity at home."
 
Trade missions are strategic and sector-focused, visiting countries that offer Canada the greatest potential for growth and success. This mission was specifically organized to match Canadian capabilities with opportunities in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, in turn expanding existing business links and creating new jobs at home.
 
"Groupe Lépine has participated in Canadian government trade missions in the former Czechoslovakia, Russia and now Haiti," said René Lépine, President of Groupe Lépine International. "These missions have helped our firm rapidly establish our credibility with the top businesses and authorities in these new markets, as well as develop strong business ties that would have otherwise taken us far longer to earn."
 
To help create opportunities for Canadian businesses and strengthen Canada's trade relationship with the Dominican Republic, Minister Valcourt met with numerous government and business leaders, including President Danilo Medina.
 
Minister Valcourt witnessed the lighting of new street lamps manufactured by LED Roadway Lighting of Canada and purchased by the Dominican Corporation of State Electricity Companies (Corporación Dominicana de Empresas Eléctricas Estatales). He also visited Canadian businesses-including Gildan Activewear Inc.-that are successful in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
 
Like Canada, Haiti is a founding member of La Francophonie. At the 2010 Francophonie Summit in Montreux, Switzerland, heads of state and government committed to strengthening their efforts to help Haiti rebuild after the devastating earthquake earlier that year. During his visit to Port-au-Prince, Minister Valcourt reiterated this commitment in his meetings with President Michel Martelly and Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe.
 
"Haiti remains a focus for La Francophonie and for Canada," said Minister Valcourt. "We aim to reinforce existing trade links and create new business opportunities between Canada and Haiti. The Haitian private sector and international investors have an important role to play in rebuilding and strengthening Haiti's economy."
 
"Canada is committed to building and strengthening economic partnerships to increase mutual prosperity in the Americas" said the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs). "This trade mission has been yet another milestone in our government's approach to deepening our partnership with countries across the Americas. Increasing trade and economic ties is one of the best ways to create jobs and strengthen communities."
 
For more information on Minister Valcourt's trade mission to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, consult Trade Mission to Dominican Republic and Haiti (Government of Canada website).
 
For further information, media representatives may contact:
* Rudy Husny Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Ed Fast Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
613-992-7332
* Andréa Richer Press Secretary Office of the Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie)
613-790-3637
 
Canada Trade Mission to Dominican Republic and Haiti: List of Participating Organizations:
1. Ædifica Inc., Montréal, Quebec
2. BGC Engineering Inc., Halifax, Nova Scotia
3. D. I. Jenkins & Associates Inc., Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
4. Dynamic Air Shelters Ltd., Calgary, Alberta
5. Geninov Inc., Montréal, Quebec
6. Groupe IBI/DAA Inc., Montréal, Quebec
7. Groupe Lépine International, Inc., Montréal, Quebec
8. Haven Timber Homes Ltd., Lac La Hache, British Columbia
9. HG Environnement, Blainville, Quebec
10. K-Line Insulators Limited, Toronto, Ontario
11. LED Roadway Lighting Ltd., Halifax, Nova Scotia
12. Ministère des Relations internationales, Québec, Quebec
13. Moloney Electric Inc., Toronto, Ontario
14. Pars Intermodal Inc., Montréal, Quebec
15. PoleCo, Halifax, Nova Scotia
16. Saint John Port Authority, Saint John, New Brunswick
17. SNC Lavalin International Inc., Montréal, Quebec
18. Stark International Inc., New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
19. Terra Vista Ltd., Glovertown, Newfoundland and Labrador
20. WE-Supreme, Red Deer, Alberta
 
 
3. Canada's business diplomacy with Haiti
 
Carl Henry Cadet, Le Nouvelliste, published September 6, 2012
(What follows is a translation of the original article in French. The French text is below).
 
A major Canadian trade mission of 14 businessmen ends Friday (Sept 7) after a two-day visit of the country. Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe sees this initiative of the Canadian government as a contribution to the recovery of the national economy. During a working session held on Thursday, members of the government presented potential investors various investment and trade opportunities in Haiti.
 
The attention of the audience was complete in the hall at the Hotel Montana, decorated for the occasion in the red and white colors of Canada. Earphones to ears, eyes fixed on the PowerPoint presentations of exhibitors, 14 Canadian businessmen in Haiti this week had a day of information on the accelerated economic potential of the country.
 
"Canada wants stronger trade ties with Haiti," said Canadian Ambassador Henri-Paul Normandin. According to the ambassador, with the value of reconstruction estimated at 11.5 billion U.S. dollars, the national economy is a market "not necessarily easy, but promising" for the Canadian private sector. "Some large Canadian companies have been active in this area for decades and we hope that this presence will intensify," said Mr. Normandin, who says trade between the two countries is about 63 million U.S. dollars.
 
The head of the Canadian delegation, Associate Minister of National Defence and Minister of State Bernard Valcourt, considers this trade mission as a new milestone in the partnership between the two countries. "Since 2010, Canada has committed $ 150 million to efforts to meet immediate humanitarian needs, and he has pledged an additional two years to support the government's priorities for Haiti's reconstruction . We want to work with the Government of Haiti in order to increase trade and investment between our countries, "said the minister.
 
Prime Minister Lamothe, meanwhile, highlighted the achievements of the Haitian government to facilitate private investment. "Specialized structures have been put in place. Among them are obviously the CFI (Center for Facilitation of Investment, founded in 2006), the Presidential Advisory Council for investment (founded on Sept 8, 2011; list of members here, including Michaelle Jean), and the Council for Economic and Social Development (CDES)," he said, recalling the efforts underway to reduce the time of creation a business in the country from 105 to 10 days.
 
The head of government also referred to the various actions undertaken by the Haitian Chancellery, in the context of business diplomacy to facilitate and encourage foreign investors to come and settle in the country. "We have already received more than 80 investors in such missions," he sadi proudly.
 
To achieve the government's vision of putting the country in the list of emerging economies by 2030, Lamothe says it will rely on a significant increase in foreign direct investment flows. According to him, however, the arrival of investors will be useless without an effective fight against corruption and smuggling.
 
"Why invest in Haiti? '
 
In response to this question, the CFI, Andy Georges René, had no shortage of arguments. For him, the geographical proximity of the country with the United States, its cheap labor, its access to markets in the Caribbean, the U.S. and Europe, and its foreign investment policy are among the strengths of the national economy.
 
However, said the Minister of Commerce, Wilson Laleau, weaknesses in the business environment still need to be identified. He highlighted the efforts of his administration in this regard. "Canada's commitment to strengthen its trade relations with Haiti could be achieved by creating a special fund to guarantee Canadian investment in Haiti," the minister suggested. An increased collaboration between Canadian and Haitian companies offer the country the benefits of Canadian expertise in the sectors of infrastructure, engineering services, construction and food.
 
Sessions were held during the day between Haitian and Canadian businessmen on two key sectors of the economy--infrastructure and agribusiness.
 
 
Le Canada s'engage dans la diplomatie d'affaires avec Haïti
 
Carl-Henry Cadet, Le Nouvelliste, publié le 6 septembre 2012
 
Une importante mission commerciale canadienne de 14 hommes d'affaires achève ce vendredi une visite de deux jours de prospection dans le pays. Le Premier ministre Laurent Lamothe considère cette initiative du gouvernement canadien comme une contribution à la relance de l'économie nationale. Au cours d'une séance de travail tenue ce jeudi, des membres du gouvernement ont présenté à ces potentiels investisseurs les différentes opportunités offertes par Haïti en matière d'investissements et de commerce.
 
L’attention de l’assistance était totale dans la salle Frank de l’hôtel Montana, décorée pour la circonstance des couleurs du bicolore canadien. Ecouteurs à l’oreille, les yeux fixés sur les présentations PowerPoint des exposants, les 14 hommes d’affaires canadiens en mission cette semaine en Haïti ont eu une journée d’informations en accéléré sur les potentialités économiques du pays.
 
« Le Canada souhaite un renforcement des liens commerciaux avec Haïti », a déclaré l’ambassadeur du Canada, Henri-Paul Normandin. Selon l’ambassadeur, avec la reconstruction (évaluée à 11,5 milliards de dollars américains), l’économie nationale représente un marché « pas nécessairement facile, mais prometteur » pour le secteur privé canadien. « Quelques grandes entreprises canadiennes sont présentes sur ce territoire depuis plusieurs décennies et nous espérons que cette présence s’intensifiera », a souligné M. Normandin, qui estime les échanges commerciaux entre les deux pays à environ 63 millions de dollars américains.
 
Chef de la délégation canadienne, le ministre associé à la Défense nationale et ministre d’Etat, Bernard Valcourt considère cette mission commerciale comme un nouveau jalon dans le partenariat entre les deux pays. « Depuis 2010, le Canada a affecté 150 millions de dollars aux efforts déployés pour répondre à des besoins humanitaires immédiats, et il s’est engagé à verser une somme additionnelle sur deux ans pour appuyer les priorités du gouvernement d’Haïti en matière de reconstruction. Nous voulons collaborer avec le gouvernement d’Haïti en vue d’accroître le commerce et les investissements entre nos pays », a informé le ministre canadien.
 
Le Premier ministre Lamothe a, de son côté, mis en relief les réalisations de l’exécutif en vue de faciliter l'investissement privé. « Des structures spécialisées ont été mises en place. Parmi elles figurent évidemment le CFI, le Conseil consultatif présidentiel pour l'investissement, le Conseil pour le développement économique et social (CDES) », a-t-il indiqué, non sans rappeler les efforts en cours en vue de réduire le délai de création d'une entreprise dans le pays de 105 à 10 jours.
 
Le chef du gouvernement a, par ailleurs, évoqué les différentes actions engagées par la chancellerie haïtienne, dans le cadre de la diplomatie d’affaires, afin de faciliter et d'encourager investisseurs étrangers à venir s'établir dans le pays. « Nous avons déjà reçu plus de 80 investisseurs dans le cadre de ce genre de missions », s’est-il félicité.
 
Pour concrétiser la vision du gouvernement de placer le pays dans la liste des économies émergentes d’ici 2030, Lamothe dit miser sur une augmentation sensible des flux d'investissements directs étrangers. Selon lui, néanmoins, la venue des investisseurs sera vaine sans une lutte efficace contre la corruption et la contrebande.
 
« Pourquoi investir en Haïti ? »
 
En réponse à cette question, le directeur du Centre de facilitations des investissements, Georges Andy René, ne manque pas d’arguments. Pour lui, la proximité géographique du pays avec les Etats-Unis, sa main-d’œuvre bon marché, son accès aux marchés caribéen, américain et européen et sa politique d’investissements directs étrangers comptent parmi les atouts de l’économie nationale.Toutefois, des faiblesses du cadre des affaires méritent encore d’être relevées, reconnaît le ministre du Commerce, Wilson Laleau, soulignant les efforts soutenus de son administration dans cette perspective.
 
« La volonté du Canada de renforcer ses relations commerciales avec Haïti pourrait se concrétiser par la création d’un fonds spécial de garantie en faveur des investissements canadiens en Haïti », a proposé le ministre. Une collaboration plus accrue entre les entreprises canadiennes et haïtiennes offrirait au pays les bénéfices de l’expertise canadienne dans les secteurs des infrastructures, des services d'ingénierie, de la construction et de l’agroalimentaire.
 
En ce sens, au cours de cette journée de travail, ont été tenues entre hommes d’affaires haïtiens et canadiens des sessions d’échanges sur deux secteurs porteurs de l’économie : les infrastructures et l’agroalimentaire.
 
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