[SashaLionx]

Other than Grupo M are there many businesses that are using the free trade zone idea with their manufacturing plant(s) in Haiti and servicing the DR?

Is it worth it? With logistics, taxes, the border?

[EnubreBense]

I guess so, I know that Group M are expanding
Sara Lee also has some plants their also

[SashaLionx]

Is it worth it? With logistics, taxes, the border?

Is the benefit enough to warrant a plant in Haiti?

[EnubreBense]

cheap labor is always worth it

[TerriLS]

Is it worth it? With logistics, taxes, the border?

Is the benefit enough to warrant a plant in Haiti?

Haiti is a toughie.. Among other things, dealing with illiterate employees, difficulty is teaching them how to do what you want done, getting them to keep doing it right after you walk away, communications issues, missing work, no infrastructure, corruption.. the list goes on and on. I can't imagine trying to do it now.

I worked for a company that had a plant there years ago, that was set up there due to the low labor costs. They quickly learned that "lo barato sale caro" (cheap is expensive)The employees even had to be trained on how to use a toilet.

There were very few manufacturing plants there before the earthquake; most left years ago.

I would take a look at setting up something in one of the small towns in the central region of the DR. That's where you can still easily find hard working folks that will give you an honest days work for an honest days wages.

[SashaLionx]

JD - thanks for the response.
There is a project we are working on, and being Canadian, were toying with the idea that funding/grants might be easier to get if in Haiti.

I don't feel the 'savings' would be worth it - if Grupo M can do it that's great.