US approves Haiti textile bill
The US House of Representatives has approved a bill to extend Haiti's tax preferences.
The bill gives Haiti greater access to the US clothing market for woven and knit fabrics. It also extends the life of its current duty-free access into the next decade.
The bill will now be considered by the Senate and could potentially become law by next week. It has won the support by Haiti’s president, René Préval, as well as by former US presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton. It is hoped the bill will give the earthquake-hit nation a much-needed boost.
However, there are some concerns that cheap textiles could be shipped to Haiti from Asia, altered in small ways and then sent to the US without incurring any duties. Haitian textile and clothing exports are expected to triple should the bill take effect.
