Dominican businessmen urge action to renew HOPE/HELP trade programs

Santo Domingo.- Dominican business leaders are urging the government to expedite negotiations for the renewal of the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) and Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) with the U.S. Congress. These programs, vital to the textile industries in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, support thousands of jobs and underpin economic stability in both nations. Approved in 2005 and 2010, HOPE/HELP facilitates duty-free Haitian clothing exports to the U.S., accounting for 90% of Haiti’s exports and benefiting Dominican textile factories that supply fabrics for final production in Haiti.

The interdependent textile trade creates jobs in both countries, with a 3:1 employment ratio favoring Haiti. However, uncertainty surrounding the programs’ renewal before their September 2025 expiration has caused job losses in Haiti, dropping from 60,000 to 22,000. Dominican businessman Fernando Capellán warns that failure to renew could drive companies to Asia, eroding regional competitiveness and stability.

Industrial parks in northern Haiti, such as CODEVI in Juana Méndez, employ over 1,000 Dominicans and highlight the programs’ local importance. Additionally, Dominican exports to Haiti, valued at over $2,000 million annually, are at risk, threatening border trade that sustains millions in weekly revenue. Business leaders emphasize that renewing HOPE/HELP ensures economic growth, regional stability, and continued bilateral cooperation between the nations.