Haiti: Apparel Exports to the U.S. Jump 46%, Jan-Aug 2011

• 

Thursday, 22 December 2011 13:30

WASHINGTON, D.C. (defend.ht) - Haiti's apparel exports to the United States rose 46% between January and August reported the Office of US Trade to the U.S. Congress on Wednesday.

An article by just-style.com cited statistics such as, more than 90% of Haiti’s exports to the US are apparel. Although the growth was 46% from January to August 2011 it had been a meager 0.7% during 2010, a year that began with a 7.3 magnitude earthquake.

Adding that imports had risen by 26% in 2009 today Haiti responsible for “virtually all” imports of apparel from Caribbean Basin I countries. Total US imports from CBI countries are up 7.4% to $10.1 billion [US] in 2010, but well down from 2008 when the figure was $19.5 billion.

The Ninth Report to Congress on the Operation of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, included a list of social concerns of the United States as it pertains to the trade agreement.

These concerns are described in detail on these topics:

- Protection of Intellectual Property
- Provision of Internationally Recognized Worker Rights
- Commitments to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor
- Counter-narcotics Cooperation
- Implementation of the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption Act (IACAC)
- Transparency in Government Procurement

The apparel sector accounts for the vast majority of Haitian exports. Haiti is eligible for duty-free entry of textiles pursuant to CBTPA, the HOPE Act, and the HELP Act which increased the apparel quotas and extended the CBTPA and the HOPE Act through September 30, 2020.

Haiti has the potential to make even bigger gains in 2012 with the completion of a new Northern Industrial Park, to be complete in March in Caracol, Haiti.

---