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

STRENGTHENED PRODUCTION SUPPORT STRUCTURES
Objectives
82 Research, training, extension services, small farmer organizations, and cooperation platforms are
crucial aspects of any increase in agricultural production. Consequently, the strategy will target
achievement of the following objectives: (1) promoting research and training of direct benefit to
agricultural development; (2) relaunching State agricultural extension services; and (3)
encouraging improved organization of the private structures supporting the sector.
Strategic lines of action
o Agricultural research
o Agricultural training
o Agricultural Extension services
o Strengthening of small farmer organizations
o Encouragement of the establishment of cooperation platforms
AGRICULTURAL FINANCE
Objectives
83 The flawed conditions for agricultural finance show how necessary it is to introduce a financial
system that can guarantee savings and the recapitalization of farms in such a way as to provide
investment and coverage of the basic needs of the rural community in general and small farmer
families in particular. The thrust at this level should prompt the State to take action in two
directions: i/ relaunching “supervised or controlled credit,” particularly to benefit cooperative
associations in order to avoid any misappropriation or misuse of the funding requested; ii/ In the
context of this policy, devoting special attention to women’s associations, as women bear
particularly heavy responsibilities in rural areas.
Strategic lines of action
2. TOURISM
• Promotion of decentralized financing structures
• Granting of loans
• Prioritization of activities within the context of the policy adopted by the
public authorities
• Prioritization of small farmers and producers with a view to improving their
economic situation and living conditions
• State assumption of the financing of the experiments to be conducted in
research centers.
84 Haiti is one of the first Caribbean countries to have reaped the benefits of the international
tourism that emerged following the rebuilding of the global economy in the aftermath of World
War II. This sector became vital for the national economy, representing over 20 percent of
exports in the ---0s. Estimates at the time spoke of over 60,000 direct and indirect jobs. The share
of tourism in GDP amounted to 3.5 percent, and annual tourism receipts amounted to US$50
million.
85 The tourism master plan, entitled “Strategic Thrusts,” brought together a package of proposals in
four major areas: tourist products, the development of priority areas, tourist circuits, and human
resources. An additional component, known as “Implementation Modalities,” made reference to
the streamlining of budget choices, the creation of a National Tourism Authority, the
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