Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Development

In the aftermath of the January 12 earthquake, Haiti has experienced great financial loss, loss of livelihood and an ongoing humanitarian crisis.   Investments and commercial dealings that respond to the needs of the people and of the economy can help to “build back better”.

The Société Immobilière de Agriculture, Commerce et Tourisme, Inc., (SImACT) and the Public-Private Alliance Foundation (PPAF), in collaboration with Haitian government and other local and international partners, will conduct a workshop for potential foreign and local investors and businesses to facilitate their efforts in the region.  The workshop will bring together the private sector, government, donors, non-profit organizations and others to work together toward the common goal of revitalizing the Southern area of the country.  The workshop will emphasize the United Nations Millennium Development Goals as a framework for sustainable development.

Workshop dates are  27–29 June 2010.  A maximum of 70 participants, both Haitian and from other countries, will be invited to attend.  If you or your organization would be interested in attending or in co-sponsoring, contact Dr. David Stillman at ppafoundation@gmail.com

Languages of the conference will include French, English and Spanish. High-level officials of the Government of Haiti will be specially invited. 

Workshop topics being developed  include: 

• Overview of the Haiti Action Plan for National Recovery and Development
• Regional Priorities for Recovery and Development in Southern Haiti
• Role of the Private Investor and of Public-Private Partnerships
• Perspectives of NGOs and Local Government; Involvement of Local People in Decisions
• Credit and Funds Transfer, Legal Issues, Other
• Subgroups will depend on interest and may include:
  • Infrastructure – Seaport, airport, roads
  • Renewable energy –  Ethanol, biodiesel, solar power
  • Housing – Low-cost, moderate cost and safe repair
  • Agriculture and agribusiness – Fish farming, sugar and other
  • Social venture capital and microfinance
  • Ethanol cookstoves
  • Health – Clinics, training and post-traumatic stress
  • Historic District – UNESCO World Historic Site; repairs to standards
  • Tourism – Marketing of Jacmel, eco-tourism, voluntourism
  • Arts and artisans

SImACT, Inc. is an association of Haiti diaspora professionals which combines investment and social concerns to promote development in the Republic of Haiti.  SImACT (Societe Immobiliere d’Agriculture, de Commerce, et de Tourisme), was founded in 1996.  It currently has assets of about $8.5 million US.   www.simact.net   

At its November 14 meeting in Queens, NY, with about 50 current and prospective shareholders, SImACT directors outlined the status of the organization and developments including hotels, a residential project and a gold and copper mining project.   A highlight of the meeting was signature of an agreement with Choice Hotels Corporation for its support to an existing hotel and another which is planned.   Choice Hotels officials Caroline Racine, Director of Diversity Sales and a SImACT shareholder; Brian Parker, Vice President, Emerging Markets and New Business Development; and Jose Salvador Icaza, Director, Caribbean Franchise Development, all spoke about their positive view of collaboration with SImACT and the business potential.    Choice Hotels has over 6,000 properties worldwide.

SImACT and Choice Hotel Officers Sign Agreement

Jocelyn McCalla, Senior Advisor in the Office of the Special Envoy of Haiti for the United Nations, described the efforts of his office in coordination  with the Office of the Special Envoy  of the UN for Haiti – former President Bill Clinton – to encourage bilateral and multilateral assistance, foreign capital investment and Haitian Diaspora involvement.   

Dr. Lesley Kernisant, President and Board Chairman of SImACT, reviewed Haiti’s history and current prospects.  He introduced the proposed Belle Rive development in Jacmel, and SImACT’s management of the Cap Lamandou Hotel in Jacmel.   Other SImACT speakers included Dr. Daniel Faustin, Rodney Leon, architect, and Jean-Marie Wolff.

Dr. David Stillman briefed the group on PPAF’s work with SImACT and potential investors regarding the proposed construction project in Jacmel and elsewhere.   He also mentioned the work of PPAF in bioenergy, including business prospects for collaboration on the Dominican-Haitian border.   He emphasized the aim of PPAF to promote the UN Millennium Development Goals.    Jeanne Betsock Stillman, PPAF Board Secretary, who has previously worked in public health in Haiti, joined in the discussions.

Jacqueline Monfourny, a Canadian geologist and president of the mining company SIMACT Alliance Copper Gold Inc., presented a report on progress in 2009 toward exploration of copper, gold and associated deposits in Northeast Haiti.

Wallace Ford, a consultant to SImACT, acted as master of ceremonies for the afternoon.  Ford is principal and founder of Fordworks Associates in New York.

Christiana Sciaudone of Recharge News recently wrote a story featuring the Public-Private Alliance and their efforts to facilitate public-private investment in ethanol that was published on June 26, 2009.

The full article, Dominican Republic ripe for sugar-cane ethanol financing, can be found below:

With many of its sugar-cane fields lying fallow, the Dominican Republic is ideal for ethanol investment, and a non-governmental organisation (NGO) has launched a major initiative to make sure that happens.

The New York-based Public-Private Alliance Foundation (PPAF) is seeking ways to finance ethanol deals, It aims to “reach business deals in ethanol and related biofuels”, says David Stillman, PPAF executive director, PPAF says it has received calls from groups in places as diverse as Hong Kong and New Jersey that are interested in participating.

Sugar is currently grown in the Dominican Republic, but ethanol is not produced because Stillman says it considered that “the market was not right”. However, steps have been taken to improve market prospects, including a law that promotes renewable energy with favourable taxation and import-structure regulations.

PPAF held a major meeting last month, bringing together government, business, NGO and academic representatives,

Grupo Vicini, which has been growing and milling sugar cane in the Dominican Republic since the 19th Century, is participating in the PPAF discussions, and is analysing the potential of producing ethanol and co-generating electricity.

‘We are still going over the numbers,” explains Marino Incháustegui, industry and energy director at Vicini. The analysis should he done within the next four months.

He adds that while ethanol investments will be judged by the bottom line, “if the bottom line is there, we will be there”.

The export potential for the Dominican Republic is also promising, as it is not limited by trade barriers like those in Brazil, where the US imposes a $0.54 per gallon tax. Brazil is being consulted, due to its years of ethanol-production experience, and it is hoped Brazilian development bank BNDES will be interested in financing local production.

However, one possible problem specific to the Dominican Republic is that most of the cane-cutters are Haitian immigrants. There are long-standing issues regarding both illegal immigration in the country and their working conditions, which must be tackled if plans go ahead.

The article is available for download in PDF, Microsoft Word .DOC, and JPG.