During his official mission to the Great North, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé made a strategic stop in Cap-Haïtien, where he held a high-level meeting with presidents of the chambers of commerce from the North, Northeast, and Northwest departments. This encounter, far from ceremonial, reflected a decisive shift in the government’s approach to national recovery — one that places economic stakeholders at the center of both democratic renewal and territorial development.
Accompanied by key members of his administration, including Minister Delegate for Electoral and Constitutional Affairs Joseph André Gracien Jean and Minister for Haitians Living Abroad J.E. Kathia Verdier, the Prime Minister laid the foundation for what he called a “new development pact rooted in co-responsibility.”
Business as a cornerstone of stability
The Prime Minister emphasized that private sector actors are no longer just economic engines but vital players in Haiti’s stabilization strategy. With widespread insecurity, a stalled economy, and weakened institutions, he argued that sustainable solutions will only emerge from partnerships that bridge state policy and entrepreneurial capacity.
“We need a development model built from the ground up. The chambers of commerce are not just economic observers — they are pillars of the new Haiti we are shaping together,” said the Prime Minister.
Beyond security: empowering regions
While security remains a top priority, the Prime Minister broadened the discussion to include regional equity and access to public contracts. He proposed that public procurement policies be reformed to benefit local businesses, allowing government spending to drive regional job creation and infrastructure improvement.
This message resonated deeply in a region that often feels marginalized by central institutions. The Prime Minister’s stance marked a significant departure from the historically centralized governance model, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to decentralization and regional inclusion.
“No community should be left behind. We are changing how public money circulates — it must benefit local entrepreneurs who are invested in their communities and workers,” he declared.
Investing in education: a moral and structural priority
One of the most impactful moments of the visit came when the Prime Minister visited the François Capois High School, only to discover its deteriorated state. Outraged by the conditions, he immediately summoned the Minister of Education and the Director General of the National Education Fund, instructing them to begin a full reconstruction of the school.
His reaction sent a clear message: education is not negotiable.
“How can we talk about progress while our youth are learning in ruins? We will restore dignity to our students, starting right here in the North,” the Prime Minister stated forcefully.
Toward shared governance and inclusive elections
The meeting also served to rally support from the private sector for the upcoming constitutional referendum and general elections. The Prime Minister called on business leaders to actively support voter engagement and logistical efforts, affirming that restoring constitutional order is a collective mission.
Rather than treating elections as a political affair alone, he framed them as a structural necessity for investment and peace.
A pragmatic and inclusive vision
With his tour of the Great North, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé is positioning his leadership around pragmatic inclusion, territorial equity, and institutional reform. By involving business leaders not just as donors or observers, but as partners in policy execution, he is creating a model of governance rooted in collaboration.
As his regional tour continues, the Great North stands as a signal — and a testing ground — for a renewed social contract between the state and its people.
