Our 536 page book in 6×9 format is in press and will be available soon!!!
The following article written by: Lefabson Sully
will appear in the upcoming publication of the work by Dr. Joël Lorquet entitled “The Massacre River Canal, an opportunity to strengthen national production and initiate endogenous development”. This book will have three parts:
1-An analysis of the current situation by the author,
2-The publication of the different opinions collected from specialists on the issue and
3-The results of scientific work carried out from an investigation into the position of Haitians on the construction of this canal. This work of more than 536 pages will serve as a guide and benchmark for researchers and investors interested in making national production a reality in Haiti.
Good reading
Haiti and the Dominican Republic: Benefits from Border Closure.
Par : Lefabson SULLY
For several weeks, we have been witnessing a situation that continues to deteriorate between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It must be said that the Dominican president’s virulent challenge to the excavation of a canal on the Massacre River by the Haitians would be the occasional cause of the latest unrest. If we put ourselves in the paradigm of Claude Gilbert and Patrick Lagadec of the CNRS and Sciences Po, we can qualify this situation of tension as a continuous crisis, because it tests the existing order, it evolves and spills over. from one end to the other. In this article, I will not return to the socio-historical or political antecedents between the two (2) countries. However, I will review some key aspects that could be considered benefits of the current border closure. Also, the cause of the closure will not be taken into account, because even the Dominican President, Mr. Luis Rodolfo Abinader, procrastinates on the why of this so-called closure. So how can Haiti, through its leaders, transform this dark moment into a real opportunity and create a historic boom? In my opinion, although presenting immediate challenges, here are some of the opportunities to be seized:
1. Stimulate local production by promoting food self-sufficiency
Closing the border may encourage Haiti to increase its local production to meet domestic demand. This could encourage investment in agribusiness, manufacturing and other economic sectors, creating jobs and boosting economic growth. Currently, many Haitians in Haiti and in the diaspora still invest in Haiti despite the high level of economic risks. The closure should be a good excuse to strengthen their investment flows, especially in the essential areas mentioned above. By investing in agriculture and supporting local farmers and producers, Haiti can move toward food self-sufficiency. It will thus be able to reduce dependence on food imports (eggs, fruits, vegetables and other daily consumable products) and improve the country’s food security. An example, in 2021, Haiti imported nearly 246 million dollars of rice (according to the oec.world platform), but we have the Artibonite Valley and other arable land, such as the almost unexploited Maribahoux plain.
2. Develop trade relations with other countries
It is not just the Dominican Republic as a supplier country or economic partner. There is also Jamaica, the United States, Mexico, even China, Canada etc. We are in 2023 in the era of free trade and globalization, where commercial activity transcends borders. It is time for Haiti to diversify its supply chain. Haiti can seek to diversify its trading partners by exploring new markets for the export of its products. Trade Agreements can be negotiated with other countries to compensate for the reduction in trade with the Dominican Republic. For those who don’t know, the supply chain is a collection that includes raw materials, suppliers, customers, transportation, technology and communications, and subcontracting services.
3. Stimulate industrialization and local employment by encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship
In my opinion, this constitutes the greatest challenge to overcome because culturally, we have barriers which prevent us from seeing the progress of others as a collective advantage, and from aiming far and high. We cannot develop a country with small ideas closed in egocentric practices. Closing the border may encourage Haiti to promote its manufacturing industry, by producing everyday consumer goods locally. The economic class must also accept that other entrepreneurs emerge and make innovative decisions. This can create jobs (with an unemployment rate which exceeded 15% in 2021 according to the World Bank), and strengthen the national economy. The need to reduce dependence on imports can stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship. Haitian entrepreneurs could be encouraged to develop local solutions, modernize production processes and introduce new technologies.
4. Invest in infrastructure by promoting local tourism
Closing the border may prompt the Haitian government to invest in critical infrastructure, such as roads, ports and airports, to facilitate the transportation and distribution of goods within and outside the country. Closing the border may encourage Haiti to promote domestic tourism by encouraging Haitians to discover and visit the tourist sites of their own country. This could contribute to the growth of the local tourism sector.
In conclusion, I bring ideas; However, it is important to note that to seize these opportunities, Haiti will need to curb insecurity, invest in education, skills development, political stabilization and other key factors that support economic growth and sustainable development.
Lefabson Sully
Lawyer, Theologian and student of Sociology
At the University of Montreal, Canada
September 17, 2023AnswerTo transfer
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