Haiti: Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper; IMF Country Report 08/115 ...

Priority Pillars of a Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy
Pillar 1: Growth Vectors
The growth strategy, which includes the need to work toward poverty reduction, is based on four
key areas or growth vectors: agriculture and rural development, tourism, infrastructure
modernization, and science, technology, and innovation.
Agriculture and Rural Development
The strategy for this sector calls for a series of actions, including the development of the rural
area with zoning that guarantees protection of our environment, the diversification of revenuegenerating
activities, and legal measures in order to ensure the sustainability of progress made in
the area of development and a more equitable distribution of the wealth generated.
Tourism
Tourism remains a development area, given that this activity is now considered a growth industry.
In order to be able to take advantage of this opportunity, Haiti must make a number of choices,
including streamlining aimed at efficiency, and in particular adjusting decisions to their
implementation context. General approaches are emerging in a new national tourism landscape.
Infrastructure
One priority of the strategy developed by the Government is to achieve, through the national road
network, true control over urban and interurban transport. The need for balanced development of
the network has prompted the Government to establish broad guidelines for regional land
transport by: (i) according priority to the development of regional potential and boosting the
competitiveness of the Haitian economy; (ii) reestablishing balance within national territory by
fostering the emergence of big regional metropolises; (iii) guaranteeing consistent connections
throughout the country; (iv) maintaining current infrastructure; and (v) protecting the
environment.
Pillar 2: Human Development
Human development is based on a significant increase in opportunities, including social services,
provided to individuals so that they can better develop their capacities.
Education and Training
Improving the yield of the system entails: (i) retraining teachers and school principals; (ii)
providing adequate guidance to schools, students, and parents; and (iii) establishing synergy
between the State and other actors operating in the sector.
Health
What are known as priority illnesses have a major impact on the state of health of the population
and produce major economic effects. This situation is all the more unacceptable since it can be
improved through the adoption of appropriate measures. The objectives sought will therefore be
to: (i) strengthen two areas – prevention and information; and (ii) assume greater responsibility
for and develop intersectoral collaboration.
The strategic lines of action selected for achieving these objectives are: (i) the drafting of a
national health policy and updating of all laws necessary for its regulation; (ii) the establishment
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