EU exports to Haiti in 2020 increased by €30m to a total of €216.9m, while EU imports fell by almost €7m to €27.8m. The trade balance between the EU and Haiti has been in deficit for a long time. Haiti mainly imports machinery, vehicles and equipment and some food from EU countries. On the other hand, Haitian exports to the EU market mainly include essential oils, textile products, cocoa, coffee and fruit for the production of beverages.
Allcountrylist: Overview of major industries in Haiti, including mining, construction, transportation, tourism, and foreign trade.
Trade exchange with the EU (million EUR)
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Exports from the EU (million EUR)
237.8
185.5
216.9
ON
ON
Imports into the EU (million EUR)
44.4
34.6
27.8
ON
ON
Balance with the EU (million EUR)
-193.5
-150.8
-189.1
ON
ON
Source: European Commission
Trade relations with the Czech Republic
Mutual trade between the Czech Republic and Haiti has been at a very low level for a long time. In 2020, there was an increase in mutual trade, both exports and imports, despite the global pandemic. The Czech Republic exported goods worth CZK million to Haiti and imported goods worth CZK million. Textiles, alcohol, and iron products are mainly imported from Haiti to the Czech Republic, and machinery, telephone sets, wooden pallets and crates, and alcohol are exported to the Czech Republic.
Trade exchange with the Czech Republic (000 CZK)
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Export from the Czech Republic (thousand CZK)
3584
118
2811
ON
ON
Import to the Czech Republic (thousand CZK)
4597
1953
3566
ON
ON
Balance with the Czech Republic (000 CZK)
-1013
-1835
-755
ON
ON
Source: CZSO
FTAs and treaties
Treaties with the EU
When importing to the American market, Haiti benefits from several preferential trade agreements – Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Agreement (CBTPA), the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act II (HOPE II), the HELP Acts, the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
Contracts with the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has no bilateral agreement with Haiti.
Developmental cooperation
The UN system is represented in Haiti by UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCO, FAO, MAP, UNFPA, WHO, UNOPS, IOM, UNFEM. There is also the permanent presence of the Bretton Woods institutions – the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, as well as the Inter-American Development Bank.
Haiti is the largest recipient of European Union humanitarian aid in Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 1994, EUR 419 million has been provided. EU aid has brought relief to victims of earthquakes in 2010 and 2021, as well as helping to rebuild after several major hurricanes. EU financial assistance is also helping to address the cholera epidemic, drought and migration crisis, while at the same time working to strengthen local capacities to prepare for and respond to natural and epidemic hazards.
The Czech Republic is also traditionally involved in development cooperation projects in Haiti. In addition to helping with reconstruction after the 2010 earthquake, the Czech non-profit organization Fidcon is also active in Haiti, which focuses on building wells and water infrastructure. After the earthquake in 2021, humanitarian aid in the amount of million CZK was provided through the ICRC for the reconstruction of shelters.
Prospective fields of study (MOP)
MOP is not processed for this country.
Although there are business opportunities in the country, the investment and business climate in Haiti is challenging. Globally, Haiti ranks at the bottom of indices tracking the ease of doing business and the level of corruption. Barriers to foreign investment include poor infrastructure, weak investor protection, uneven contract enforcement, high energy costs and high corruption. President Jovenel Moïse identified agriculture, energy, transport and water management as priority sectors for investment.
