Amid celebratory music and exhibits adorned with Haitian décor, the sign read, “Haiti is now open for business” at the Arts Space International Gallery in Atlanta. The unequivocal sentiment of the evening was with the purpose of fostering Haitian commerce at the Flavors and Colors (Gouts et Couleurs) of Haiti event, which presented the Consul General of Haiti, Gandy Thomas, to the Atlanta business community.
As January marks two years since the 2010 catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, the resolve to reinvigorate Haiti’s business partnerships has come to Atlanta’s doorsteps. “Yes, it is really imperative that we open our doors to businesses,” said Thomas. “We should do it in view of the close relationship between national growth and a country’s participation into the world global economy. When we solemnly say, “come invest,” we are deeply convinced that, to change this country, we have to open both arms to welcome businessmen from all over the world. That is a change of mentality. That’s a new paradigm, a new approach in the business of government. In this lies the key to our success,” he said.
To dozens of dignitaries and civil leaders, Thomas made the case that it is a new day in Haiti and that the country, through its foreign affairs minister, is proceeding with “full-fledged diplomatic reform” in business, for investments in the U.S. and other countries. He asserted that Haiti is the “new haven for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI)” and referenced legislation of the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006 and of 2008, which he says places Haiti in a favorable position to export many products tax free.
Since Haiti has suffered hardships over the years, Thomas rendered reassurance that Haiti has not lost its cultural value.
“Our cultural wealth remains the same. [That hasn’t] changed. Our culture is still our pride, our strength, our own identity,” said Thomas.
Thomas also cited achievements of the telecommunications company Digicel and the exotic cruise line corporation, the Royal Caribbean, to demonstrate how foreign investments can experience significant returns in Haiti. He offered statistics to show that Haiti has a prepared workforce, and has established a reliable government and political landscape “free of corruption” and “bureaucratic red tape.”
During the private affair, supporters not only heard about new possibilities in Haiti, but they also experienced a taste of the Haitian culture through authentic Haitian cuisine and artwork from Haitian artists Jonas Allen and Raphael Sagage.
Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell spoke and gave support on behalf of the city of Atlanta. “The fact that we have such a vibrant Haitian community in Atlanta is something that I have not taken for granted. What you bring to the city of Atlanta, what you bring to the metropolitan Atlanta area, is immeasurable in terms of the energy and resilience, that entrepreneurism, [what] we need to make Atlanta the best place in the world,” said Mitchell.
“We also are very pleased, and very excited and grateful that the country of Haiti has decided to open a consul office here in Atlanta. We do not take for granted the opportunities that it presents for us to create a greater business connection, a greater social connection, a greater political connection between the city of Atlanta and the country of Haiti.
“Let’s not waste this opportunity to work together and network, to look for opportunities to not only help with Haiti, but to provide an opportunity for us to strengthen the city of Atlanta,” he said.
The General Consulate of Haiti in Atlanta opened its office 11 months ago and announced Thomas as the first Consul General of Haiti for Atlanta on Dec. 16.
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