Learn about barriers to market entry and local requirements, i.e., things to be aware of when entering the market for this country.
Last Published: 8/2/2019

Although Haiti offers an open economy, there are certain barriers to the development of foreign investment in the country, such as corruption, long-term political instability, and burdensome bureaucracy. Haiti is ranked 182nd out of 190 in the 2018 Doing Business report issued by the World Bank.
The most common concerns expressed by foreign investors include:

  • Political instability which impacts both capital investments and productivity;
  • Widespread corruption;
  • Lack of transparency in governmental tender procedures;
  • Unreliable electricity from the grid and high cost of onsite electricity generation; 
  • Haiti’s need for improved port entry and generally poor infrastructure; and
  • The high obstacles to credit, given the lack of effective cadastral and civil registries or a national credit bureau.

The business environment for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Haiti remains challenging.  Haiti usually receives relatively modest levels of FDI, totaling $105 million in 2018, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in its latest annual FDI report.

Fuel
Fuel consumption in Haiti is estimated at $100 million per month, or $1.2 billion per year.  The retail prices for gasoline, diesel, and kerosene are fixed in gourdes by the government at a subsidized rate.  This subsidy and its contribution to the government’s budget deficit represent considerable pressure on the country’s exchange rate.  Haiti experienced recurring disruptions to its fuel supply in early 2019 when the government was unable to pay for fuel imports in a timely manner. The government then allowed locally-based fuel companies to import fuel directly, though this change in procedure had not been codified as of July 2019. The government continues to struggle to reimburse fuel distributors for the cost of the subsidized retail fuel price.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.