Haiti is getting help to raise its quality standards through a new project led by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), and the Bureau Haïtien de Normalisation (BHN). The “Capacity Building for Strengthening Quality Infrastructure in Haiti” program started with a virtual launch on June 30, 2025. The goal is to help Haitian businesses—especially small and medium-sized ones—meet higher standards and reach bigger markets, according to a press release.
This project, funded by the European Union, will help BHN improve its skills and services. The plan is to make it easier for Haitian companies to produce quality goods, protect buyers, and find new trade opportunities. The budget is over €340,000 and is part of a wider EU push to support trade and growth in the Caribbean.
At the launch, CROSQ’s CEO, Dr. Sharonmae Smith-Walker, used the Haitian saying “many hands make the load lighter” to show how the EU, CDB, BHN, and other partners are working together. Lisa Harding from the CDB said the project matches the bank’s goal to help small businesses and protect consumers. Gisela García Perez from the EU called it a “strategic intervention” to help Haiti’s economy and support local companies in joining global value chains.
Haiti’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, James Monazard, and the head of BHN both said this project is key for helping Haitian producers and exporters meet international standards and compete abroad.
This partnership could help Haiti connect with more markets. If the project works, it could mean more growth, better protection for buyers, and new chances for Haitian businesses and the wider Caribbean.
