Modernization of free zones to lure foreign companies

SONAPI, Société Nationale des Parcs Industriels, runs 50 industrial facilities with 30,000 square feet of space.

Two companies currently own industrial estates in Haiti. One is private and the other, SONAPI (Société Nationale des Parcs Industriels), is state-owned. The latter has 30,000 square feet of land and 50 industrial facilities built to house the 54 local and international construction or assembly companies operating in Haiti. The development is located right next to Port-au-Prince airport and is available to any company that wants to invest in the country.

In the 1980s, the estate was full and employed over 60,000 people in companies that exported garments, electronic equipment and even baseballs to the U.S. market. Nearly all of this was lost after the embargo and now SONAPI is trying hard to reestablish Haiti as an assembly location. “We want to improve the capacity of the industrial park and have its structures and facilities repaired and renewed,” says Managing Director Rose Yva Samedy. “We intend to reinforce its security, build up to 20 new buildings and provide it with a central electricity system that will not be by blackouts.” A ‘one stop shop’ system is also scheduled for launching soon: the buildings are ready, relevant studies have been conducted and field work will start up in a few months’ time.

Ms. Samedy feels there should be cooperation between the privately run competitor, Shodecosa Industrial Park, and themselves, as well as with prospective developers of other industrial estates planned for Cap Haitien and Jacmel. When the political climate changes and sufficient funds are received, she hopes this type of industry will mushroom. There are ambitious plans to create a number of free zones all over the country, and the advantages for foreign investors are clear. Labor is undeniably cheap at $2 per hour and the Haitians are not only hard working but also job motivated. An advertising campaign is currently underway to attract international companies.