Haiti Signs Customs Facilitation Agreement to Boost Local Production

New protocol between the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Haiti Chamber of Commerce aims to reduce customs delays, cut costs, and strengthen domestic manufacturing.

By: Haitian Prime News|January 16, 2026|Port-au-Prince, Haiti

On January 16, 2026, the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Haiti Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIH) signed a protocol of agreement focused on customs facilitation, during a ceremony held at the Montana Hotel in Port-au-Prince.

The agreement is designed to support domestic production by streamlining customs procedures, reducing clearance delays, and lowering associated costs for businesses. Officials stated that the initiative also seeks to secure and stabilize freight flows, a key concern for producers and importers operating in Haiti’s challenging trade environment.

As part of the announcement, Minister of Economy and Finance Alfred Fils Metellus confirmed the suspension of taxes on all raw materials required for local production. The measure was welcomed by producers, who have long cited high import costs and administrative bottlenecks as major obstacles to competitiveness.

Representatives from the MEF and the CCIH emphasized that the protocol marks an important step toward strengthening Haitian companies, improving the country’s business climate, and encouraging formal economic activity. By easing customs constraints, authorities hope to create more favorable conditions for investment, production, and job creation.

The agreement aligns with broader efforts by economic institutions to modernize customs administration and promote national production as a pillar of economic recovery.

Sources

Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF)

Haiti Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIH