Haiti Advances Trade Ties With Brazil; MOU and Investment Talks Open

Haiti's Minister of Commerce and Industry James Monazard met with Brazil's Ambassador to Haiti Guilherme Nascentes da Silva on April 21–22, 2026, to advance bilateral trade and institutional relations. Priority agenda items included finalizing a memorandum of understanding on trade cooperation, drafting a trade facilitation agreement, and organizing joint trade missions for Haitian and Brazilian chambers of commerce. The discussions also covered support for Brazilian private sector investment in Haiti's industrial parks and a professional training and immersion program for Haitian Ministry of Commerce staff. The engagement reflects Haiti's effort to diversify economic partnerships amid the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis. Brazil has deep historical ties to Haiti: it led the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) from 2004 to 2017, contributing more than 37,000 troop rotations. Current bilateral trade remains modest — approximately $1.36 million in 2025 — but the meeting signals continued Brazilian diplomatic engagement with Haiti's transitional institutions ahead of the planned August 30, 2026 elections.