AGP Executive Report

Caribbean Investment: The US says it will invest more than US$340 million across the region in economic growth, health, security and digital infrastructure, including US$175.8 million for undersea cables. Haiti joined the talks, but no country-specific allocation was announced. Business Formalization: Haiti’s commerce ministry launched a campaign to formalize and train at least 5,000 businesses across all 10 departments by November, with added equipment for regional offices. Financing and Recovery: At IMF-World Bank meetings, Haiti called for continued concessional financing and grants, warning tougher terms could undermine recovery. The central bank governor also urged economic adjustments that protect social spending and investment. Agriculture: The agriculture minister urged the FAO to fund local production and protect farmers’ livelihoods as 5.8 million Haitians face acute food insecurity. Fuel Quality: A corruption watchdog says untested gasoline sold at stations has damaged vehicle engines, exposing serious gaps in the government’s fuel-quality controls.

Economic Outlook: The UN warned on Oct. 19 that Haiti’s worsening security crisis is disrupting election plans and putting the economy on track for a seventh straight year of contraction. Business Formalization: A government initiative launched Oct. 16 aims to train and formalize 5,000 businesses across the country by November, with upgraded Commerce Ministry offices to improve services for entrepreneurs. Financing and Jobs: At IMF-World Bank meetings, Haiti’s finance minister urged partners to preserve concessional and grant financing, saying tougher terms could undermine recovery. The central bank governor also called for protecting social spending and investment while creating jobs for young people. Agriculture: More than 2,000 farmers in the South are receiving seed kits through a World Bank-funded project to boost local food production. Fuel Quality: A corruption watchdog says fuel sold at stations after an untested shipment damaged vehicles, highlighting gaps in government oversight.

Business Formalization: Haiti’s Commerce Ministry has launched a national campaign to formalize and train at least 5,000 businesses by November, with support for regional offices to improve services for entrepreneurs. Financing and Recovery: At IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok, Haiti pressed to preserve grant-based, concessional financing, warning that tougher terms could undermine recovery and debt sustainability. The central bank governor also urged economic adjustments that protect social spending and investment. Agriculture: The government is distributing seeds to more than 2,000 farmers in the South to boost local production, as 5.8 million people face acute food insecurity. Fuel Quality: A corruption watchdog says untested fuel sold at Haitian stations is damaging vehicle engines, exposing failures in government quality controls. Skills and Energy: A new vocational program aims to train technicians for Haiti’s renewable-energy sector; officials say details on enrollment and course length are still pending.

Agriculture: Haiti’s agriculture ministry is distributing vegetable seed kits to more than 2,000 farmers in the South, with World Bank-backed support intended to boost local production, diversify crops and improve food security. Public Spending: A private firm’s arms deal with Haiti’s police is under scrutiny: deliveries remain incomplete, and at least $7 million in public funds is unaccounted for, according to reporting on the contract. Regional Investment: The U.S. announced a $340.3 million package for Caribbean and Central American connectivity, health and security, while CARICOM leaders urged practical action on affordable energy, jobs and investment. Food Aid: The World Food Programme received more than $182 million in U.S. awards, including support for food and nutrition assistance in Haiti.

Public Spending and Security: A private firm linked to Dolly Parton’s nephew left a Haiti police arms deal incomplete, with at least $7 million in public funds unaccounted for, according to the report. Regional Funding: The U.S. announced $340.3 million for Caribbean and Central American connectivity, health and security, while a separate $25 million UNICEF deal will keep maternal and child health supplies flowing to Haiti and other countries. Food Security: WFP received more than $182 million from the U.S. for food and nutrition programs; a $147.6 million portion covers Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia. Trade and Prices: Gang retaliation in Artibonite has disrupted trade and pushed prices higher in Haiti’s Northwest, adding pressure on households and businesses. Enterprise: Haiti launched a project to support entrepreneurial innovation and university startups, aiming to strengthen early-stage business activity.

Arms Deal Scrutiny: At least $7 million in Haitian public funds for police weapons is unaccounted for under a multimillion-dollar deal involving a U.S. security firm that lacked required export permits. Regional Investment: Washington announced $340.3 million for Caribbean and Central American connectivity, health and security; Haiti joined talks where CARICOM leaders called for investment, jobs and affordable energy. Health Supplies: A new $25 million UNICEF agreement will provide maternal and child medicines and nutrition supplies to 15 countries, including Haiti. Food Security: U.S. awards totaling $147.6 million will fund food and nutrition aid in Haiti, the DRC and Ethiopia.

Health Supplies: A new one-year, $25 million U.S.-UNICEF deal will keep maternal and child medicines and nutrition supplies flowing to at least 15 countries, including Haiti, after months of disruption. Regional Investment: Washington announced $340.3 million for Caribbean and Central American programs, including $175.8 million for submarine cables and funding for health and security; CARICOM leaders called for practical gains in jobs, affordable power and trade. Food Security: USDA awards totaling $147.6 million across Haiti, the DRC and Ethiopia will support food and nutrition aid, with more than 60,000 tonnes of food expected to reach over two million people. Trade and Prices: Gang retaliation in Artibonite has disrupted commerce and driven up prices in Haiti’s Northwest.

Regional Outlook: The IMF says Caribbean growth remains resilient on tourism, remittances and strong U.S. demand, but high debt, rising food and energy costs, and weak medium-term prospects weigh on the outlook. U.S. Investment: Washington announced $340.3 million for Caribbean connectivity, health and security, including $175.8 million for undersea cables. Haiti took part in the 15-country dialogue, though no specific allocation for Haiti was announced. Food and Health Aid: A $147.6 million USDA food-assistance package includes Haiti among three recipient countries; a separate $25 million UNICEF deal will supply maternal and child health products to Haiti and at least 14 other nations. Trade Disruption: Gang retaliation in Artibonite has disrupted commerce and pushed up prices in the Northwest, adding pressure on households and businesses.

Security and Trade: The UN Security Council renewed Haiti’s arms embargo, travel bans and asset freezes, extending its expert panel’s mandate by 13 months. The resolution also warns that people involved in illicit natural-resource trade could face sanctions. Gang extortion and violence continue to threaten businesses, while retaliation in Artibonite has disrupted trade and pushed prices higher in the Northwest. Regional Investment: The US announced more than $340 million in Caribbean commitments, including $175.8 million for secure digital infrastructure and $55.5 million for law enforcement. Caricom says Haiti’s security crisis must remain central to regional talks. Enterprise and Energy: Haiti has launched a support project for entrepreneurial innovation and university startups. Separately, propane supplies in the Northeast are trickling in under heightened surveillance, while repeated Digicel internet outages have drawn customer complaints.

Sanctions and Business Risks: The UN Security Council renewed Haiti’s arms embargo, travel ban and asset freezes, extending its expert panel’s mandate by 13 months. The resolution also flags alleged public-fund diversion and illicit natural-resource trade; politicians named in a UN report dispute the allegations. Trade and Prices: Gang retaliation in Artibonite is disrupting trade and pushing up prices in the Northwest, while armed men’s attempted boarding of a U.S.-flagged vessel in Port-au-Prince Bay highlights risks to maritime commerce. Connectivity: Digicel is facing criticism after about three internet outages in three weeks, a recurring disruption for businesses and customers. Energy and Enterprise: Propane supplies in the Northeast are trickling in under heavy surveillance. Haiti also launched a project to support entrepreneurial innovation and university startups.

UN Funding: António Guterres’ proposed 2027 budget would cut 44 posts at the UN Integrated Office in Haiti, adding pressure to an already stretched international presence. Trade and Prices: Gang retaliation in Artibonite has disrupted National Road 5, pushing up transport costs and prices for goods in the Northwest. Merchants say checkpoint fees are adding to the burden. Maritime Security: Armed men tried to board a U.S.-flagged vessel in Port-au-Prince Bay, but the Coast Guard drove them off. The ship’s crew was unharmed, and the vessel unloaded its cargo before departing. Entrepreneurship: Haiti has launched a project to support business innovation and university startups, aiming to strengthen pathways for new ventures.

Trade and Prices: Gang retaliation in Artibonite has disrupted National Road 5, raising transport costs and prices for goods in Haiti’s Northwest as merchants struggle to restock. Jobs and Investment: Haiti is among five countries in new UNDP–World Bank pilot programs aimed at attracting private investment, building projects and creating jobs. Business Innovation: A newly launched project will support entrepreneurship and university startups in Haiti. Energy: Regional energy talks at the 56th OLACDE meeting focused on commitments to shape Haiti’s energy future, while propane supplies in the Northeast remain limited and under heavy security.

Investment and Jobs: UNDP has launched programs to attract capital, improve business conditions and create jobs, with Haiti among five pilot countries. The push comes as the agency warns that 800 million young people in developing economies could enter the workforce without jobs. Humanitarian Funding: The UN allocated an additional $75 million for Haiti, funding projects in three departments expected to assist more than 500,000 people; the wider response plan remains less than half funded. Local Business and Infrastructure: Haiti has launched a project supporting entrepreneurial innovation and university startups. Meanwhile, a third Digicel internet outage in about three weeks and continuing constraints on propane supply highlight persistent challenges for businesses and households.

Investment and Jobs: As development aid declines, UNDP is expanding partnerships with the World Bank and other lenders to attract investment and create jobs. Haiti is one of five pilot countries for the effort, which aims to improve investment conditions and move projects toward financing. Humanitarian Funding: The UN allocated an additional $75 million for Haiti, funding 10 projects expected to assist more than 500,000 people with water, health care and shelter; the broader response plan remains less than half funded. Digital Infrastructure: Digicel reported a third internet outage in less than a month, blaming damage to international fiber links along Route Nationale 1. Gunfire has prevented repair crews from reaching the area, disrupting services for customers in and outside Haiti. Entrepreneurship: Haiti has launched a support project for entrepreneurial innovation and university startups, though further details were not available.

Telecommunications: Digicel faced renewed criticism after a third internet outage in less than a month. The company blamed damage to international fiber-optic cables near Route Nationale 1, where gunfire has kept repair teams from reaching the site. Entrepreneurship: Haiti launched a project to support business innovation and university startups, aiming to help turn new ideas into enterprises. Food Security: The EU is providing €4 million for the second phase of its food security program in Haiti. Energy: Haiti took part in the 56th OLACDE meeting, where participants made commitments on the region’s energy future. Fuel Supply: Propane deliveries in Haiti’s northeast remain limited and are being closely monitored.

Telecoms: Digicel customers faced Haiti’s third internet outage in less than a month after gunfire may have damaged international fiber cables along Route Nationale 1, disrupting a vital business link. Fuel Supply: Propane stations in the Northeast are beginning to reopen after shortages, but insecurity and transport costs are squeezing operators already constrained by government-set prices. Entrepreneurship: Haiti’s Trade Ministry launched a university startup program to connect students and researchers with companies and support innovative businesses and job creation. Food Security: The EU is funding a three-year food security program with €4 million, plus government support, targeting vulnerable households and farmers in the West. Cross-Border Business: Grupo M president Fernando Capellán urged Haiti and the Dominican Republic to pursue investment and job creation; his Codevi industrial park employs 18,000–19,000 people in Haiti.