Meeting with AmCham DR

Members of the Board of Directors of AmCham Haiti held a meeting with Mr. Edwin De Los Santos, President of AmCham DR, and Mr. Bill Malhamoud, Vice President and Executive Director. The main purpose of this meeting was to explore avenues of collaboration between our two chambers. AmCham DR wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the current situation in Haiti, especially concerning security.

Mr. Jean Philippe Boisson, President of AmCham Haiti, discussed the logistical challenges faced in Port-au-Prince, where crucial areas such as Martissant and Canaan hinder access to the northern and southern regions. He emphasized the pressing need for international support to overcome these challenges. Despite extensive discussions on the matter, concrete actions remain insufficient.

Another major concern raised was the Biden humanitarian program, which has seen many Haitian professionals leaving the country. With 40,000 approvals for Haiti out of a total of 100,000, the brain drain severely affects the professional landscape.

Renewal of American visas is also a significant issue. Many face challenges in renewing their visas, with increasing waiting times for appointments at the consular section of the U.S. embassy.

The constitutional issue was also discussed, concluding that the current framework does not accurately represent our reality. In this context, Mr. Jean Philippe Boisson sees an opportunity for a constitutional revision targeting more efficient state expenditure management. The priorities should focus on security, constitutional revision, and elections.

Mr. Malhamoud suggested revisiting the issue of smuggling at the border, a matter on which both AmCham DR and AmCham Haiti have collaborated. Mr. De Los Santos, on the other hand, underscored the importance of the active engagement of the Haitian private sector, citing the Santiago initiative as a model of success.

In conclusion, it was proposed to organize these meetings every three months to determine joint initiatives to be presented in Washington.