Investment, jobs among Haiti PM’s priorities

Bellerive, 51, replaces Michèle Pierre-Louis who was voted out by the Senate over her failure to promote economic recovery on the heels of four storms last year. (File photo)

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, November 13, 2009 – Attracting private investment, which will in turn create jobs for Haitians, is top of the list of priorities for the country’s new Prime Minister, Jean Max Bellerive.

Bellerive, who was sworn in on Wednesday, pledged to work on persuading donors that “Haiti has changed, that Haiti is ready to open itself to private investment, that Haiti is ready to give reports on its accountability, on transparency”.

“Haiti will continue to work with all the partners and all the people who believe in stability and who believe the only way we are going to change Haiti is through private investment and through creating jobs in Haiti," he told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony at the National Palace.

Bellerive, 51, replaces Michèle Pierre-Louis who was voted out by the Senate over her failure to promote economic recovery on the heels of four storms last year.

But he said his government would have the same priorities as the previous administration and would follow through on plans which they began.

Haiti in August hosted hundreds of potential investors which was spearheaded by former US President and UN Special Envoy to Haiti, Bill Clinton.

"I hope that we can continue to work with President Clinton in the same manner, in the same commitment that he has with the former government and with President Preval," Bellerive said.

The new Prime Minister also promised to improve relations with lawmakers.