Haiti Originale, LLC Launching Haitian Banana Program

CORAL GABLES, Fla., Aug. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Agri-Success, SA, a majority owned Haitian subsidiary of Florida-based Haiti Originale, LLC, is launching an intensive program to develop sustainable and globally competitive high-quality banana production in Haiti. Over the past 50 years, Haiti has lost its historical position in the banana industry, a position which this project seeks to reclaim.

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During the next twelve months, rigorous analysis will be conducted in various regions of the country and a small-scale growing and packing operation will be created to determine banana production potential. The ultimate goal is to develop a large scale banana operation that will serve as a foundation for the sector and one that also supports independent growers. Banana production will target both the domestic and international markets.

Haiti Originale's par Haiti - pour Haiti^® (from Haiti - for Haiti) initiative is a concept designed to help Haiti grow again. Unlike many programs that inject funds and draw attention to Haiti temporarily, then shift to other regions and causes, par Haiti - pour Haiti is intended to help Haiti grow itself again…and again. It is part badge of honor, part shield of quality, part billboard to the world and part infrastructure accelerator. On behalf of the people of Haiti, par Haiti - pour Haiti helps find new partners to drive new growth: of revenue, of products, of production, and of pride.

This banana project is the result of close collaboration and planning between Haiti Originale, the Haitian Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development (MARNDR), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Dole Food Company, Inc. has also acted as a technical adviser and provided agricultural consulting services to the project for more than a year. This program epitomizes the concept of Private-Public Partnerships (PPP) which will ultimately result in the reemergence of a vibrant private-sector industry in Haiti.

"Haiti is blessed with fertile soils and hard-working people, the prerequisites for successful agribusiness ventures," said Michael Pereira, Chief Executive Officer of Haiti Originale. "Through this collaborative process, we will demonstrate the potential of the country to compete at a level of quality and on a scale that will attract private investors, minimize current banana import levels in Haiti and create vitally needed export earnings. Given the potential in Haiti, we expect that this banana program will be the first of many and will serve as a model for other agricultural sectors."

"This is a new model for Haitian agriculture powered by the private sector," added Bruce Rothenberg, Haiti Originale's COO.

"We are proud to have been given the opportunity to provide technical assistance to Haiti Originale's par Haiti - pour Haiti banana project," said Dr. Jorge W. Gonzales, Senior Vice President Agricultural Research and Development for Dole Tropical Products Latin America Ltd.  "We recognize that the success of this program will have a major positive impact on the lives of thousands of farming families as well as consumers, which fits with Dole's philosophy of sustainable agriculture for producers, workers and consumers."

Haiti Originale was established following the devastating January 12, 2010 earthquake to provide a platform for sustainable development and to create jobs in Haiti. In addition to project development and investment promotion, Haiti Originale promotes Haiti and its products through the use of its par Haiti - pour Haiti^® (from Haiti - for Haiti) logo, allowing consumers and market partners alike to recognize that the mere purchase of Haitian agricultural and manufactured products provides Haitian farmers and workers the dignity of employment. In 2012 Haiti Originale launched high quality Haitian coffee in selected Whole Foods Markets in Florida and partnered with the Walt Disney Company to create a Haitian garden and marketplace during Disney's 75-day International Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot. "Haiti - Garden of Many Colors" highlighted the potential of Haitian agriculture and promoted the sale of quality Haitian products such as coffee, rum, and artisan crafts featuring the par Haiti - pour Haiti logo. The par Haiti - pour Haiti^® program extends across many categories including apparel, artisan crafts, coffee, cocoa, rum and fresh produce.

ABOUT HAITI ORIGINALE, LLC

Haiti Originale was formed to help Haitians help themselves by supporting sustainable economic and social development and the promotion of quality Haitian-made products within Haiti and around the world. Its mission is to enhance the economic and social development of Haitian workers and farmers in a consensus-building manner with like-minded groups in Haiti. Furthermore, by working with various stakeholders, the company seeks to attract investments in areas that can improve the long-term viability and productivity of the Haitian economy while delivering globally competitive returns.

ABOUT DOLE FOOD COMPANY, INC.

Dole Food Company, with 2012 revenues of $4.2 billion, is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. Dole is an industry leader in many of the products it sells, as well as in nutrition education and research. For more information, please visit:  www.dole.com

Contacts:
Michael Pereira
Haiti Originale LLC
305-753-8613
[email protected]

SOURCE Haiti Originale LLC