Haiti: a country on the dawn of a new era.

After years of disastrous mismanagement, Haiti's troubled economy has finally stabilized and relations with international donors have improved after the departure of the former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in February 2004 following a popular uprising sparked by falling living standards and rampant official corruption. Much of this is thanks to the new interim government, appointed after Aristide's hasty resignation, which has pleadged to hand over power after democratic elections have taken place. Presidential elections are scheduled for the first quarter of 2006. To ensure the vote does pass off peaceably, Haiti also needs to tackle the rising lawlessness that has gripped the capital Port au Prince since the interim government came to power. It is doing so thanks to the multi-national UN stabilization force, MINUSTAH, sent to the country after the overthrow of the Aristide government. It now plays a more robust role in keeping the peace and is responsible for training the local police force. In the meantime, Prime Minister G6rard Latortue's government is concentrating on maintaining stability and laying the foundations for growth before handing responsibility over to the incoming government after the elections. If the new administration wins a strong popular mandate it will then be able to focus on the long-term reforms needed to create sustainable growth, new jobs and ensure future prosperity.

COUNTRY NAME : REPUBLIC OF HAITI

CAPITAL : PORT-AU-PRINCE

AREA : 27,750 SQ KM

POPULATION : 8 121 622

MEDIUM AGE : 18,03 YEARS (2005)

POPULATION : 2,26 (2005)

GROWTH RATE: 52,92 YEARS

LIFE EXPECTANCY 3,6 MILLIONS AT BIRTH :

LABOR FORCE : SUGAR, REFINING, FLOW

INDUSTRIES : MILLING, TEXTILES, CEMENT

CURRENCY CODE : GOURDES (HTG)

DIPLOMATIC CHIEF OF MISSION: REPRESENTATION RAYMOND JOSEPH IN US : CHANCERY: 2311 MASSACHUSETTS AVE. NW WASHINGTON DC 20008 TEL: [phone] FAX: [phone]