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An opportunity has arisen to invest in Port Lafito. This multi-purpose port and terminal is located in the Lafiteau area in Haiti, approximately 20 kilometers north of Port-au-Prince. The port is part of a larger development covering 300 hectares of privately owned land and comprising of a free zone, integrated power plant, and industrial park.

The port will handle containerized and loose-bulk cargo under an operating license granted by Haiti’s National Port Authority. It is designed to improve overall cost-of-goods by providing pier-to-storage operations at competitive costs, and savings in variable costs such as ocean transportation, spillage/leakage, customs duties, in-land transportation, warehousing and security. These services are offered in a highly controlled environment which provides the flexibility to meet its clients’ growth and handling requirement's well into the future.

Port Lafito commenced operations of an off-dock dry terminal in the 4th quarter of 2014. Phase 1 of Port Lafito’s main port and terminal was completed and commenced operations in November 2015. Phase 2 of Port Lafito will expand the main port and terminal from 250,000 in annual container capacity to over 1,000,0000. The terminal will be 130,000 square meters and provide 450 meters of berth (900 in phase 2) for offloading and loading operations. State of the art Liebherr cranes, new terminal container handlers, vessel mooring/unmooring services and refrigerated container assistance will serve ships unloading cargo.

Port Lafito’s location connects it to direct weekly calls by major international carriers both to and from regional worldwide hubs and U.S. ports, providing easy access to Central and South American destinations and the rest of the world. Port Lafito will be able to service clients requiring break bulk port facilities making this a unique advantage in the trade. Multiple shipping lines have already been signed up to deliver cargo to the port. All of the shipping lines that currently call on Haiti, as well as new ones that desire to enter the Haitian market, are already in talks with Port Lafito. Clients will include major relief agencies as well as renowned institutions.

Port Lafito S.A. is a subsidiary of GB Group, one of the leading private industrial groups in the Caribbean, and the most diversified industrial and commercial group based in Haiti. GB Group has invested significant amounts of their own capital in the project, alongside the Government of Haiti and major financial institutions such as International Finance Corporation (a World Bank Group), Capital Bank, FDI – Industrial Development Fund, FMO – Entrepreneurial Development Bank, NASSA – Nationale D’ Assurance S.A. and Banque Nationale de Credit (BNC). This is an opportunity to invest in Port Lafito Bahamas, Ltd, a Bahamian Corporation, which was formed to acquire, indirectly, a preferred equity interest in Port Lafito, S.A.

Sector Strengths

Haiti’s growing trade

  • Haiti is currently undergoing a period of redevelopment which is creating lucrative opportunities for investment. It’s strategic location, large workforce of young adults, pro-business government and support from the international community have positioned the country for future growth and development. 
  • Haiti is currently experiencing strong domestic demand and has significant potential to expand into export markets. Its close proximity to the US and Caribbean countries ensures that products get to markets quickly. The country is also an ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) member and has duty-free and quota-free preferential access to the European Union markets for most products. Haiti’s free access to international markets is also facilitated by Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and the Bali Accord.
  • Haiti’s trade has experienced considerable growth over the past five years. In 2014 the country imported over US$1.6bn of goods and services (a 4.5% increase on the previous year) while it imported US$4.6bn of goods and services (a 2.6% increase on 2013). Two of the key industries poised for future growth and development are the Apparels and Textiles and Agri-business sectors which will require transportation infrastructure such as Port Lafito.
Incentives

Haiti offers a wide range of incentives to investors. These include:

  • Under the 2002 Investment Code, qualifying businesses may benefit from a tax holiday on the corporation tax and all local taxes other than the Patent for up to 15 years. Certain capital investments also qualify for accelerated depreciation for tax purposes.
  • Business entities operating in free trade zones (such as that located at Port Lafito) are exempt from Haiti’s fiscal laws.
  • Any individual or any corporate body (company) that present the qualifications as well as the financial guarantee may enter into an agreement with the State for the establishment of a businesses in Haiti that is considered of interest to the community. Said agreements shall define with precision the special status granted to the company, the specific benefits attached, and the counterpart obligations required of the beneficiary or beneficiaries.
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Centre for Facilitation of Investments

116 Av. Jean Paul II,

Turgeau,

Port-au-Prince,

P: +(509) 2811-7234