In an article posted today by the Economist Intelligence Unit, they reported on a World Bank analysis of regional customs houses in Latin America and the Caribbean. What they came up with was shocking, but not unexpected. According to the article, the report (which I have been unsuccessful finding) concludes that Haiti's customs houses are at the bottom of the list for efficiency.

In support of this claim, the World Bank cites the need for those wishing to export to collect 20 signatures of authorization, taking on average 58 days. For those wishing to import an item into Haiti, they have to wait 60 days and collect 35 signatures. Exports in Latin America, on average, take 30 days, seven signatures, and seven documents, while imports take slightly longer, 37 days, with 11 signatures and 10 documents.

With HERO now being considered in the US Congress, it would behoove the interim government of Haiti to streamline these processes. For information on HERO, click here. For information on the World Bank International Finance Corporation click here.

Robert Miller

Haiti Innovation