After this article, it is a good idea to read the excerpts, watch the videos, and listen (and spread the word) to the Very Special Speakers at the "Haiti Special Session" at Davos’ World Economic Forum:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Dr. Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman,
World Economic Forum;
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> William J. Clinton, Founder, William J. Clinton Foundation;
President of the United States (1993-2001); UN Special Envoy to Haiti; -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Denis O’Brien, Executive Chairman, Digicel, Ireland; -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Celso Amorim, Foreign Minister, Brazil; -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Helen E. Clark, Administrator,
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP);
Former New Zealand's Prime-Minister; -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Robert Greenhill,
Managing Director and Chief Business Officer, World Economic Forum;
Former President of Canada’s International Development Agency. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing in Haiti is, at the same time, a humanitarian imperative, and - the strange it may seem -, a big smart choice.
Some key points:
- 1. Everything is to be done. The country will be rebuilt from scratch.
- 2. The Government structures as so. Services as e-Gov, tax systems and so on (ICT) will be needed. And with the rare opportunity of doing the best because it will be done with no legacy restrictions.
- 3. There will be a strong international support.
- 4. Some 60% of the Nation’s landmass was not affected by the earthquake. Those are areas ready to invest in. There are touristic potential paradises there for instance. And investments there will be good for the rest of the Country.
- 5. Haiti is the best possible bridge to US market. It is only 300km far from Florida and there are low/no-tariff incentives and privileges for Haitian products exports.
- 6. The ‘low/no’-‘tariffs/duties’ privileges for Haiti exports will be spread world around. At least four countries (with very good markets) are fully committed with this accord: USA, Canada, Brazil, and France. It is likely to be done also at all Americas’ countries (as Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela etc), and many other countries from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
- 7. Brazil is committed on technology transfer - for free - in sectors such as agribusiness, energy, reforestation, ICT, and biofuels.
- 8. Haitian people are responsible, and hardworking.
- 9. There was still in course a comprehensive Development Plan worked by United Nations invited experts, and reviewed by Haitian Government. It began to be deployed since 2004 and Haiti was doing well, consolidated its democracy, and was improving fast - even with the 2008 floods -, until the earthquake came. But it is still a good platform for faster fixing the path through the Reconstruction Agenda towards an asap better short-term future.
- 10. THERE ARE A PLENTY OF ANALYSIS, STUDIES AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES PREPARED, as The Columbia's "A Future Beyond Peacekeeping", and the excellent and comprehensive 'Investir dans l'humain, Le Livre Blanc de Fanmi Lavalas," coordinated by the former "kidnapped" H. E. The President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
- 11. Few Countries has such the rich uniqueness, and yet undiscovered, potential for the Arts, Media & Entertainment Industries.
- 12. Beyond the duty/tariff incentives world around, there is a huge market potential for “Made in Haiti” produces, products, and services. There is a 9 million people market within Haiti boundaries. Plus more than 800 thousands Haitians in Diaspora, most of them (83%) tertiary educated living (at least 63%) in rich countries (more than 500,000 only in USA) being, for instance, 53% in USA, 7% in Canada, and 3% in France. Plus enormous market segments that are likely to prefer “Made in Haiti” well marketed products as the whole African Diaspora (and Africa continent itself) world around – specially Afro-Americans in USA, Brazil and the whole continent -; Latin American countries that owe their independence to the Haitian support; countries stronger bonded to Haitian history as France; and people worldwide touched by the Reconstruction appeal.
At once, a huge entrepreneur from my city was asked why he was going to invest about half billion dollars in Sub-Saharan Africa when he could use this money to compete in bigger markets as US, Asia, and Europe. The answer was short and clear: “I will go where I may be needed the most”.
Since Brazilian troops arrived in Haiti for leading MINUSTAH United Nations Peacekeeping Mission we began to learn a lot more about the “Pearl of Antilles”.
First, that this nickname is not without a reason: the country has really heavenly places as it mixes the Caribbean Sea with inlands surprising hills and mountains.
Second, that very few nations of the New World can tell such a unique History fulfilled with greatness, generosity, heroes, and model influences continent abroad.
Third, and the most important thing, amongst many others, is that Haiti is made of really special people.
Liberty Warriors paying an enormous price for defying the status quo.
A proud people that is committed to keep their pride. It is something that makes them responsible, hard workers, joyful, and quality demanding.
All that would be just nice. The greatness, otherwise, is in the fact that they keep this kind of behavior in the midst of the worst chaos. Probably you could see on TV the people trying to remove entire buildings’ debris with naked hands.
Brazilian troops became – as our soldiers and officials notice and report all the time through letters, e-mails, tweets, blogs, and other means – committed not only with the mission but also and more with the country and her people.
And this is not a humanitarian or philanthropic commitment.
We are talking here fully about respect, admiration, and joy.
This week, I watched a flash interview of a Brazilian TV reporter with a man that was just passing.
Surrounded by destruction, pain and sorrow, the man’s answers are something really strong given the situation. The reporter asked something, and the man answered in Portuguese. Surprised the reporter asked where he learned it.
He said that it was with the Brazilian soldiers, that he likes them so much. And follow some of them - that became friends - wherever they go. That he was “taking a ride” on their shelter and food, and as the troops can’t contract him, he is still trying to work as an assistant for paying it back.
then, the big talk: he said the Brazilians he most follows – as a tireless detective – are the Doctors… because he will become one.
And the Grand Finale: “…I am fully aware and conscious where I am and what happened. Now I am alone in the world, all my family, all my friends… I lost everybody… But I am still a Haitian… I will follow the Doctors… And, please, take note of my name… Because, the time it takes, I will go for it… One day – be sure – you will interview me again… as a Doctor... a first-class Doctor”.
With wet eyes the reporter just finished the interview and hugged him.
This is the kind of people we are talking about.
Look after your Government advice, and go for it.
Invest in Haiti!
Read the Excerpts, Watch the Videos, and listen (and spread the word) to the Very Special Speakers at the "Haiti Special Session" at Davos’ World Economic Forum > GO
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