Ambassador Dennis Bruce Hankins meets AmCham Haiti Board of Directors

Mr. Nicholas Hilgert, U.S. Embassy’s Economic Counselor, introduced Ambassador Dennis Bruce Hankins to the AmCham Haiti Board of Directors and the Executive Director. Ambassador Hankins, currently serving as a Minister-Counselor of the Foreign Service, has a distinguished diplomatic career. His roles include ambassador to Mali and Guinea, deputy chief of mission in Sudan, Mauritania, and Mozambique, as well as various other significant diplomatic positions. He also has prior experience in Haiti, having served as the non-immigrant visa chief and refugee coordinator. Ambassador Hankins holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a master’s degree from the National War College.

During his meeting with the AmCham Board, Ambassador Hankins provided an update on his first two months in Haiti. He outlined his initial focus on evacuating American citizens and reopening the airport, a critical step for the multinational security support mission (MSS). While he acknowledged some progress in political and security matters, he emphasized the ongoing dangers, citing recent gang violence near the airport.

Ambassador Hankins assured the board that airport security is now stronger than ever, with American Airlines set to resume flights to Port-au-Prince on May 30, 2024. He also noted that commercial cargo flights have continued, though the port areas remain under gang control, presenting significant challenges for businesses.

Regarding the MSS, Ambassador Hankins reported that Kenyan forces have started coordinating with the Haitian government, with further deployments expected soon. He underscored the importance of economic development despite the crisis, highlighting efforts to revitalize key industries such as mango, coffee, and cacao, which could help boost employment.

He also discussed the bipartisan support for the Hope-Help initiative and emphasized the need to strengthen local institutions and Haiti’s justice system. Additionally, he touched on the potential for Haiti’s mining sector, noting that legislative groundwork is necessary before progress can be made.

Ambassador Hankins mentioned upcoming political developments, including the nomination of a new prime minister, and stressed the importance of involving the Haitian diaspora in ongoing dialogue. He concluded by acknowledging the strategic document prepared by the Survive, Retain, and Attract committee.

During the meeting, AmCham Haiti presented its key strategic initiatives aimed at addressing current challenges and fostering collaboration:

US Government Relations Committee: Co-chaired by Mrs. Andress Appollon and Mr. Maulik Radia, this initiative focuses on rebuilding the relationship between AmCham and the US Embassy, which had been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing crisis. They have established a strong partnership and maintained open communication to keep the business community informed and engaged.

Survive, Retain, and Attract Committee: Led by Mr. Boisson, Mr. Clement Belizaire, and Mr. Jude-Jean-Baptiste, this committee aims to synthesize existing studies on key sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and the assembly industry into an actionable proposal. The goal is to collaborate with local stakeholders, the diaspora, and the international community to drive economic growth.

AmCham Women’s Network: Co-chaired by Mrs. Tatiana Bell Simeon, Mrs. Deborah Stark, and Mrs. Erika Rosenthal, this initiative empowers and supports Haitian women in their professional development through training, leadership enhancement, and the promotion of gender equality. The committee also seeks to strengthen collaboration with the Haitian government by hosting events and establishing exchange programs, although these efforts have been delayed due to the current situation.

Lastly, Ambassador Hankins requested that the chamber provide its top 5 policy recommendations for CPT to implement in the next year