The Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity Through Partnership for Encouragement (HOPE) laws and the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) law, which expired at the end of September 2025, have left the Haitian textile sector in a state of uncertainty. These laws, initially approved by the U.S. Congress in 2005 and 2010, allowed Haiti to export clothing to the U.S. market duty-free, accounting for 90% of the country’s exports. The benefits also extended to the Dominican Republic, where textile mills produced fabrics and yarns sent to Haiti for garment production. In 2018, the sector employed 62,000 people, but due to security concerns, this number has plummeted to 26,000, with at least 15 factories closing. Fernando Capellan, president of the Industrial Development Company (CODEVI), remains optimistic about the laws’ renewal within the next 90 days, citing support from the White House and the program’s impact on the U.S. supply chain. However, Haiti’s Minister of Trade and Industry, James Monazard, expressed concern over the alarming situation, warning that without renewal, many companies in the subcontracting sector—a cornerstone of Haiti’s economy—could face closure. Political disagreements in the U.S. Congress have further delayed any decision, with the Trump administration expected to make a final call by December 19, 2025. The future of Haiti’s outsourcing sector hangs in the balance as stakeholders await a resolution.
FLASH : HOPE/HELP Law between optimism and concern in the Haitian textile sector
