Haitian Garment Industry

Facts about the Republic of Haiti It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic.

Background: One of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history. Over three decades of dictatorship followed by military rule ended in 1990 when Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE was elected president. Most of his term was usurped by a military takeover, but he was able to return to office in 1994 and oversee the installation of a close associate to the presidency in 1996. ARISTIDE won a second term as president in 2000, and took office early the following year. Climate: tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds Terrain: mostly rough and mountainous Natural resources: bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower Land use: arable land: 20%; permanent crops: 13%; permanent pastures: 18%; forests and woodland: 5%; other: 44% (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban.

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere and in the world. 70% of the population ( apprrox. 8.5 million people) are employed small scale subsistence farming. Since 1986 foreign investment has been building the garment industry in a bid to help Haiti deal with its poverty problem. Since the massive earthquake in 2010, Korea and Japan have renewed their investments in the Garment industry.

Structure of the Garment Industry: Entry level i.e. the manufacturing is procured in Haiti and garments are exported. This is to: Provide employment for the large population ( it is very labour Intensive) It is low technology industry requiring simple sewing machines as opposed to heavy industrial machines, so cost of set up is low. There are approximately 46 factories around the capital alone.