Number: RS21839
Title: Haitian Textile Industry: Impact of Proposed Trade Assistance
Authors: Bernard A. Gelb, Resources, Science, and Industry Division 
Abstract: Haiti suffers from extreme poverty, political unrest, insecurity, high illiteracy, and eroding natural resources, among other problems. These factors contribute to low levels of business investment, impeding development and leading to economic decline. In an effort to improve Haiti's economic conditions, Congress has been considering and, in late 2006, passed legislation that (a) loosens existing restrictions on the origins of the components of apparel sewn together in Haiti and exported to the United States, and (b) effectively allows most of those exports to enter duty free. Such changes could have large potential benefit for Haitian manufacturing, but poor conditions in the country and some of the effects of the WTO January 2005 textile quota phaseout may well preclude any significant near-term benefit.
Pages: 6
Date: January 19, 2007