AmCham Board Meets with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Henry Wooster

On Monday, October 6, the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce in Haiti (AmCham) met with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Henry Wooster and his team for a productive exchange on shared priorities for Haiti’s economic recovery and stability.

AmCham President Andress Appolon presented the organization’s membership profile, 2025–2027 Action Plan, and key objectives for the current mandate. She emphasized that AmCham and its members are essential allies in achieving Haiti’s economic recovery and national security goals, positioning AmCham as a natural local partner for bilateral initiatives, foreign investment, and nearshoring strategies. “We are ready to work together,” she affirmed. Both AmCham and the U.S. Government share full alignment on priority areas for collaboration.

Ambassador Wooster provided an update on the planned expansion of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti—from 1,000 to 5,500 troops—aimed at improving security and facilitating commerce. The expanded force will focus on military operations to suppress gang activity rather than traditional policing, with a target of achieving initial operational capability within three to six months. He also raised concerns about the logistical challenges of deploying 5,500 troops and the potential implications for upcoming elections. The private sector was called upon to help disrupt gang logistics and to drive economic stabilization in the post-conflict phase.

Ambassador Wooster encouraged AmCham to:

Continue engaging and educating U.S. policymakers, media, and opinion leaders on the critical role of the Haitian private sector and the broader economic dimensions beyond security.

Provide the U.S. Government with more data, information, and analysis on the Haitian private sector’s impact and potential.

Explore opportunities for more regular engagement between the U.S. Embassy and the Haitian private sector, including through symbolic participation in AmCham board meetings.