The US Congress has passed a measure expanding duty-free access for Haitian textile and apparel goods in a bid to boost the quake-devastated country’s battered economy.
Senators unanimously adopted the bill late Thursday by voice vote after it was approved Wednesday by the House of Representatives. It was sent to President Barack Obama’s desk to be signed into law.
The Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act, backed by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, would expand duty-free access to the US market for additional Haitian textile and apparel exports and extend existing trade preference programs for Haiti through 2020.
Lawmakers hope the legislation will help Haiti renew the economic progress it was experiencing before the massive January 12 earthquake that killed between 250,000 and 300,000 people and left another 1.3 million homeless.
“Improving access to the US market for Haitian textile and apparel products is a widely-supported, common-sense approach to provide long-term support for a lasting recovery in Haiti,” Democratic Senator Max Baucus said in a statement.
