GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC — Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders have called for the urgent renewal of two initiatives that provide duty-free treatment in the United States for certain Haitian-manufactured textile and apparel goods.

In a statement, the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said that the regional leaders made the call in respect of the Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Enhancement for Haitian Prosperity (HOPE) and Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Acts, reiterating “Caricom’s strong support for the programmes under the HOPE/HELP Act which provide significant benefits to Haiti and the USA”.

The regional leaders note that the preferential trade framework has been vital to the economic and social development of Haiti while supporting mutually beneficial trade and economic linkages between United States and Haitian businesses.

“Heads of Government noted that the loss of this preferential arrangement negatively impacts business continuity, investment and employment in Haiti and exacerbates the worsening economic and social situation at a time when the people of Haiti require greater international support.”

The 15-member regional integration grouping of which Haiti is a member, “therefore, expresses its strong support for the renewal of HOPE/HELP legislation, and urges the US Administration and the US Congress to take urgent steps to move the legislation forward and restore the HOPE/HELP programmes”.