With the aim of creating more than 1,400 direct and indirect jobs, 242 beneficiaries from three entrepreneurship support programs of the MCI received symbolic checks.
On August 19, 2026, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) held a symbolic ceremony to hand out checks to the beneficiaries of three entrepreneurship support programs: the Women’s Entrepreneurship Support Program (PAEF), the Youth Entrepreneurship Support Program (PAPEJ), and the Integrated Business Development Program (PIDE). The event, held at the Oasis Hotel in Pétion-Ville, took place in the presence of several partners and government representatives. In total, 242 beneficiaries were selected from over 2,500 projects reviewed, with initiatives expected to create more than 1,400 direct and indirect jobs.
Faced with the difficulties encountered by those who want to invest and start businesses in Haiti, the MCI has set up these three programs with the same goal: to help move from subsistence entrepreneurship to growth-focused entrepreneurship. The PAEF focuses on women’s economic empowerment, while the other initiatives are aimed at young people and businesses.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, James Monazard, explained that the goal is to turn available skills into real means of development. He said that the programs aim to identify high-potential projects and provide them with full support, including training and help in finding funding.According to the minister, the state should not only help create new businesses but also support existing ones to create real opportunities for ambitious people. The selected projects cover several sectors, including agro-processing, crafts, technology and communication, the green economy, and recycling. “An entrepreneur can’t grow in isolation; they need ecosystems,” emphasized James Monazard, highlighting the importance of networks and partners in developing entrepreneurial activities.The beneficiaries of PAEF and PAPEJ also spoke up. They encouraged innovation as a way to improve production, create jobs, and develop solutions useful to the community. They pointed out that these programs aren’t just about giving funding. Support also includes training, resource management, improving products and services, and seeking financing. So funding is an important tool, but it needs to be part of a broader approach to support and capacity building.
The Minister of Planning and External Cooperation, Sandra Paulemont, also highlighted the state’s responsibility in supporting people who want to invest and create jobs. “We can’t ask young people to stay without giving them the means,” she emphasized. She advocated for creating a “third way” for young Haitians: to stay in the country and invest there. According to her, young people today face two main options: leave or stay with no real prospects for the future. Public action must therefore help create the conditions that allow them to build their future in Haiti.The Ministry of Economy and Finance, represented by Serge Gabriel Colin, has also put entrepreneurship at the heart of the economic recovery drive. He called for creating favorable conditions for more dynamic economic activity and encouraged entrepreneurs to keep pursuing their ambitions. “You have to keep dreaming; we’re here to support you,” he told the entrepreneurs, emphasizing that wealth creation doesn’t rely solely on salaried jobs. For him, entrepreneurship should also give young people the means to earn a living and contribute to the country’s development.In total, more than 2,500 projects were submitted across the country under the various programs. After review, 242 projects were selected. The chosen initiatives are expected to generate over 1,400 direct and indirect jobs in the country, according to officials. The ceremony ended with the symbolic handing over of checks to the selected beneficiaries, marking a new step in public support for entrepreneurship and productive investment in Haiti.
