Rio de Janeiro – The private sector has a crucial role to play in Haiti’s recovery from the devastating 2010 earthquake, said Rebeca Grynspan, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Associate Administrator, speaking today at the 2011 World Economic Forum on Latin America.
“Micro, small and medium enterprises are a significant source of innovation, and drive job creation,” Grynspan said at the forum being held 27-29 April in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. “The reconstruction process offers tremendous opportunities for Haitians, especially enterprises that are linked to housing and infrastructure.”
Addressing how the regional and international private sector can contribute to pro-poor businesses that help boost economic development in Haiti, Grynspan added: “Haitians need to take part in the growth process, also in terms of decision-making.”
Grynspan also stressed that social safety nets—such as conditional cash transfer programmes that provide families with financial incentives for keeping children in school—are an important policy tool for tackling exclusion of vulnerable and marginalized groups and address inequality and poverty.
“Participation without benefit-sharing would make growth unjust,” she added.
Under-Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan is the delegated UN representative in the Interim Haiti Reconstruction Commission, a board composed of Haitian government officials, former United States President Bill Clinton and other high-level international partners.