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Chocolate manufacturer, Les Chocolateries Askanya, is seeking to expand its production capacity to meet growing demand for its product. The company currently supports Haitian Cacao producers and has a manufacturing capacity of 4,200 bars per month. The company has experienced a lot of success and serves the US and local market, supplying three flavors of bar in three sizes.

The company currently has a 1000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility, located in Ouanaminthe, North-East Haiti. They also have storage and distribution facilities in both Port-au-Prince and New York. The aim of the expansion is to increase annual capacity to process 12 tons of cacao, produce 225,000 bars and achieve revenues of US$800,000 per annum.

The expansion project will take three to six months to be completed and will require an investment of US$100,000. The investment is primarily aimed at sourcing new equipment, including generators, melangeurs, a tempering, roasting, grinding and pre-cracking machines and ancillary equipment and coolers. Some funds will also be directed toward packaging, branding, training and recruitment. The company has a preference for an investment in the form of a grant or low-interest loan.

Sector Strengths

Haiti’s Agri-Business Environment

  • Haiti is currently undergoing a period of redevelopment which is creating lucrative opportunities for investment. Its 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.   
  • The agri-business sector in Haiti is one of significant importance and growth potential for the economy. 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.
  • There are no in-country cocoa pests or diseases, and so Haitian criollo cocoa beans are cultivated without chemical additives. These beans are highly prized for their exceptional flavor by pastry companies and high-end chocolatiers of luxury chocolate brands. As leading food companies are committed to sourcing their cocoa from sustainable producers, and craft chocolate makers are seeking new sources of fine and aromatic cocoa, niche markets that Haiti’s organic cocoa can serve will continue to expand. Currently, most beans grown in Haiti are sold and exported in a raw, unprocessed and unfermented state. Expansions of enterprises such as Les Chocolateries Askanya, represent a move up the value chain and take advantage of a significant opportunity.
Incentives

Haiti offers a wide range of incentives to investors in the agri-business sector. 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. For agricultural investments there are a number of exemptions and incentives including:

  • Exemption from payroll taxes and all other direct internal taxes for a period, which shall not exceed 15 years.
  • Exemption from the security deposit provided for by the Customs Tariff Code for temporary entry imports.
  • Customs duty and tax relief on import of equipment goods and materials necessary for the establishment and operations of the enterprise, including: 1) Tractors, two-wheel tractors, fishing boats and outboard motors and any other equipment necessary for the enterprise’s operations, 2) Seed, fry, fertilizer, pesticides, plants, fungicides and all other agriculture, stockbreeding and fishing inputs 3) Nets, traps and other fishing equipment 4) Devices and equipment used in the construction of hothouses, incubators for the production of poultry, 5) Spare parts and tools used in equipment maintenance, 6) Post-harvest machines, tools and equipment such as gins, pulpers, grain threshing machines, 7) Packaging, preserving and processing materials and all equipment deemed necessary in company production.
Agribusiness worker 
(annual labour cost  = unskilled production operative)
Electricity cost
The cost for electricity for industrial use per kWh
Water cost 
The cost for water for industrial use per cubic meter.
Gas cost 
The cost for gas for industrial use per cubic meter.
Telecom cost
The cost charged by a leading telecom operator for a 3 minute call to USA
Industrial space (Property) *
capital city – give name - The total cost of industrial space based on rental fees plus any taxes and/or service charge (per sq ft p.a.)
Office space (Property) * 
capital city – give name -The total cost of office space based on rental fees plus any taxes and/or service charge (per sq ft p.a.)
Social security contributions (employer) %
Statutory social security which companies must pay on top of salaries
Select fact file categories to add to export

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Indicators for Labour Costs

Data Point Value Units Year
Labour costs (minimum wage USD per month)1 150 US dollar per month 2015
Social security contributions (employer) %2 6 Percentage 2014

1 - World Bank Doing Business
2 - EY Worldwide Personal Tax Guide 2014/15

Indicators for Utility Costs

Data Point Value Units Year
Electricity cost1 391.1 US dollar per Megawatt per hours 2015
Water cost - The cost for water for industrial use per cubic meter2 0.96 US$/m3 2012
Telecom cost - The cost charged by a leading telecom operator for a 1 minute call to USA3 0.71 USD per minute 2015

1 - Climatescope
2 - Corporacion del acueducto y Acantarillado de Santo Domingo
3 - International Telecommunication Union - ITU

Indicators for Property Costs

Data Point Value Units Year
Industrial space (Property)1 333.3 USD per year/m2 2010
Office space (Property)2 258 USD 2011
Grade A office building costs3 144 USD/sq.ft. 2014
Industrial space building costs4 52 USD/sq.ft. 2014

1 - Cushman and Wakefield
2 - Cushman and Wakefield
3 - RLB - Rider Levett Bucknall (Caribbean Report)
4 - RLB - Rider Levett Bucknall (Caribbean Report)

Indicators for Taxes

Data Point Value Units Year
Top personal tax rate (%)1 30 Percentage 2015

1 - The Heritage Foundation

Indicators for Exports

Data Point Value Units Year

1 - World Development Indicators

Exports of food, beverages and tobacco per capita2 0.2 US dollar 2014

Indicators for Size of Industry

Data Point Value Units Year
Food production index2 121 Index (2004-2006 are the base of 100) 2013
Crop production index2 121.9 Index (2004-2006 are the base of 100) 2013

1 - fDi Intelligence from the Financial Times based on World Development Indicators
2 - World Development Indicators

Cereal production2 613318 Metric tons 2013 Cereal yield2 1060 Kg per hectare 2013

Indicators for Natural Resources

Data Point Value Units Year
Agricultural irrigated land (% of total agricultural land)1 4.3 Percentage 2013
Arable land (% of land area)1 38.8 Percentage 2013
Arable land1 1070000 Hectares 2013
Forest area (% of land area)1 3.6 Percentage 2013
Forest area1 994 Square kilometers 2012

1 - World Development Indicators

Indicators for Track Record

Data Point Value Units Year
Number of companies in beverages1 19 Number of companies 2016
Number of companies in food and tobacco1 83 Number of companies 2016

1 - fDi Intelligence from the Financial Times

Centre for Facilitation of Investments

116 Av. Jean Paul II,

Turgeau,

Port-au-Prince,

P: +(509) 2811-7234