PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) — President Jovenel Moise has urged legislators to cooperate with his administration for the socio-economic development of the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country, regarded as one of the poorest in the western hemisphere.

Speaking at ceremony where Prime Minister Dr Jack Guy Lafontant presented the 2017 legislative agenda that included at least 50 draft laws to the President of the Senate, Youri Latortue, on Monday, Moise, who was sworn into office in February, said that it was necessary for there to be cooperation among all stakeholders for the benefit of the entire population.

The draft laws focus on improving the business climate and economic development, state organisation, land-use planning and environment and national security.

“After decades…after centuries of turpitude and destructive disorder, we have today, together, the possibility to restore it standing in the honour and dignity of each of its daughters, each of its son,” Moise told the ceremony.

“Today we are on the tightrope. We are at the crossroads. We are not entitled to error. We cannot pretend that we did not know. We must and can move the country forward. Through stubborn work and humility in the memory of our ancestors and our responsibilities in relation to our offspring, we must ensure that the law brings stability for the nation and security in the management of public affairs.”

He told the legislators that by making the right decisions, “the future generation will appreciate the actions we are going to take in the direction of the national interest. The impartial story will acknowledge that we have deserved well of our country”.

Moise said that one area where the need for innovation is particularly desired, it is that of the organisation of the work of the institutions of state power.

“I repeat, the only reason that justifies the organisation of state power as it is in a Republic like ours is the promotion of collective well-being. It is through innovation, that is to say, by our ability to do things differently and to do better when we do not have more resources than we will come out as a people,” he said, noting “this country has forged itself into the clay of these unfavourable circumstances.

“We all know that the Haitian legislative production is very low. This is one of the sources of the weakness of our institutions. To be sustainable, public policies must be supported by legislation voted by Parliament.

“I must thank Parliament for agreeing to include 50 draft laws and/or proposals on the legislative agenda of this parliamentary year. Various aspects of the country’s social life are affected by these proposals and draft laws,” he said, re-emphasising the need for there to be cooperation among the various stakeholders in pushing forward the development of the country.

“So let’s act together to modernise the country and restore Haiti to its place in the concert of nations,” Moise added.