Contacts: In Washington: Alejandro Cedeño (202) 473-3477 acedeno@worldbank.org Cristina González (202) 473-4634 cgonzaleza@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, July 28, 2009 – The World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean and the Haitian Ambassador to the United States have signed a US$5 million grant to strengthen Haiti’s agriculture management and support its sustainable development. “With this US$5 million grant, the Bank seeks to support the Ministry of Agriculture, catalyzing the use of public sector and donor funds for the agriculture sector,” highlighted Yvonne Tsikata, World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean. Agriculture continues to play a dominant role in the Haitian economy. The sector provides more than 25 percent of the country’s GDP and accounts for approximately 50 percent of the overall employment (60 percent located in rural areas and supporting 75 percent of the poor). “I am delighted to participate in this signing ceremony. By helping the Ministry of Agriculture to reinforce the sector today , we will see the results down the road,” emphasized Haitian Ambassador Raymond Joseph. The new World Bank grant seeks to help the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development prioritize and target investments according to the agricultural sector policy and improve local agricultural support services. Since January 2005, the World Bank has provided a total of US$278 million in grants for Haiti. In addition, approximately US$20 million have been granted as trust fund resources. For more information on this project or the World Bank’s work in Haiti, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/ht 
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