PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI — The Organization of American States (OAS) reiterated its commitment to the development of Haiti this week with the visit of OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin to the country.
Ramdin arrived for meetings with President Michel Martelly, Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, president of the Electoral College (CTCEP) Emmanuel Ménard, the Presidential Advisory Council for Economic Growth and Investment, Inter-American agencies in Haiti, MINUSTAH head and special representative of the United Nations in Haiti, Sandra Honore, and others, during a 30-hour visit to the OAS member state.
The government of Haiti has written to the OAS requesting a mission to assess the electoral process in the country. During the meeting with Ramdin, Martelly elaborated on the request.
The OAS official reiterated the Organization’s continued support of democracy in Haiti.
Among the areas of upcoming collaboration between the OAS and the government of Haiti is the facilitation of a major conference for the government of Haiti to present its investment master plan to key international investors and stakeholders from the international community. The government’s presentation is expected to focus on investment options in tourism, textile manufacturing, infrastructure, and other areas. The meeting is earmarked to take place on January 16, 2013 at the OAS Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
During meetings with Lamothe, discussions were also held on the convening of a forum to discuss best practices on social protection and poverty alleviation strategies, as well as the consideration of an assessment of security platforms.
Before leaving Haiti, Ramdin visited the Isaie Jeanty Maternité Hospital in Cité Soleil, where he fulfilled a promise to financially support the upgrade and refurbishment of a critically needed operating theatre at the hospital. The funds presented to hospital officials were raised during the “Spirits of the Americas” event hosted by the assistant secretary general earlier this year.