Wilhelm Lemke, President of the Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH), declared this week on a radio station of the capital "[...] The situation is extremely serious [...] the survival of the Nation is at stakes."

Due to the lack of availability of petroleum products and the free movement of goods and services, the country is paralyzed, companies are forced to dismiss their employees pending the resumption of activities. The crisis affects everyone from the youngest to the oldest...

The majority of businesses are closed, not only for lack of fuel, some have been looted or burned like the 4C laboratory toilet paper factory, others are threatened or subject to extortion or ransom.

A few rare companies are still open, which had increased their fuel reserve in anticipation of a blockage of the country, are operating at idle and their fuel stock is inexorably reduced.

At the end of the fiscal year, companies without resources filed for bankruptcy. The Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) is discussing with the Professional Association of Banks to help businesses remain open until the lifting of the blockage...

At the Directorate General of Taxes (DGI) have studied a formula to reduce the tax burden which companies can no longer face, for lack of commercial activities and income...

If the release does not happen quickly "[...] it's a total closure with the dismissal of hundreds of thousands of employees [...]" mentioned Wilhelm Lemke.

TB/ HaitiLibre