CRS - The Haitian Economy and the HOPE Act
- The HOPE Act aims to stimulate economic growth in Haiti through trade preferences, particularly in the apparel sector.
- The HELP Act extends trade preferences and modifies rules of origin to further enhance U.S. market access for Haitian apparel exports.
- The Haitian apparel industry benefits from low-wage production and proximity to the U.S. market.
- The 2010 earthquake caused significant damage to the apparel sector, but efforts are underway to restore production capacity.
- The U.S. Congress has sought to balance domestic and foreign policy considerations in amending the HOPE Act.
This report examines the Haitian economy in the context of the HOPE Act, a series of U.S. laws designed to promote economic development in Haiti through trade preferences, particularly in the apparel sector. It details the political and social challenges facing Haiti, its economic background, and the impact of the 2010 earthquake. The report analyzes the evolution of the HOPE Act, including HOPE I, HOPE II, and the HELP Act, focusing on tariff preferences, rules of origin, and labor provisions. It also assesses the competitiveness of Haiti's apparel industry and the effects of the earthquake on the sector, concluding with an outlook on future prospects.
How to cite
Congressional Research Service (CRS), 2010, CRS - The Haitian Economy and the HOPE Act, accessed via HaitiDocs, https://www.haitidocs.org/doc/crs-2010-haitian-economy-hope-act