Near half of the active population of Haiti is formed by agriculture men. The land is exploited and over exploited and overcrowded. And the soil erosion is an important problem. In the decade of 1970 and the beginnings of 1980, the situation worsened due to the prolonged dry season and the destruction caused by various hurricanes. Small families mainly exploit the farms. There the main crops are for survival and some other product that allow them to obtain money from its sales. They also raise cattle and birds in small properties for self consumptionBy the end of the 80s, the main commercial crops (in t per year) were sugar cane (3 millions0, sisal (5000) and cacao (5000).
The main exports are coffee, light industrial products bauxite, cacao, oils, sugar, sisal and crafts.
The main imports are machinery, and other manufactured goods, food and mineral fuels. By the end of the 80s the annual export were 156 million dollars, while the import reached 284 millions.
The country has a limited quantity of natural resources because only one third of the land is fertile.Most of the mineral deposits (bauxite, gold, silver, copper, nickel and sulfur) have not been completely exploited or are not commercially profitable At the beginning of 1970 the mining of copper was stopped due to the low prices in the world. In 1982 the production of bauxite, which had reached by 1975 over 7000 000 t annually, stopped. The Haitian industry has specialized in the transformation of agricultural products. The most important are textiles and sisal, coffee production, and sugar refining. Its factories produce cement, plastics, paintings, metal and pharmaceutical products, shoes and soap.The light industrial products (such as electronic appliances) are assembled for the re- export.There are also craft industries that make wooden carvings and masks.Some plants produce hydroelectric energy among them detaches the one on Artibonite river and the one on Peligre inaugurated in 1971.By the end of 1980, 450 million KWh of energy were generated annually, around 70%in hydroelectric plants…
The main incomes come from tourism, Customs taxes and export taxes. Tobacco, coconut, and cotton. The pain feeding crops are corn; sweet potato, mango, cassava beans (white beans), rice and bananas are also cultivated.Its factories produce cement, plastics, paintings, metal and pharmaceutical Products, shoes and soap.The light industrial products (such as electronic appliances) are assembled for the re- export.There are also craft industries that make wooden carvings and masks.By the end of the 80s Haiti produced around 6,2 millions cubic meters of wood. . Local manufactures, processed food, electric appliances, textiles and clothing, coffee, essential oils wood sisal crafts, sewing threads and others.
Haiti has a total surface of 4000km of roads. Very few of them trafficable during rain season.A state company supplies the national flights. The country also receives some international lines in Puerto Principe airport.
Organization of American States (OAS)CARICOM (Caribbean Community of Common market.Bilateral treaty of investment with the USA.Free commerce and preferential interchange treaty(TFCPI) Economic Complementation Treaty (ECT)Partial Reach Agreement.Caribbean States Association.
