In Haiti, where economic and political challenges have slowed industrial growth and put jobs at risk, a powerful shift is taking root—one that promises not just recovery, but reinvention. With support from the Korea Green Growth Trust Fund (KGGTF), Haiti is laying the foundations for transforming its industrial parks into hubs for clean energy, efficiency, and job creation.
Despite the disruption caused by political instability and gang violence, particularly to Haiti’s vital garment sector, a $700,000 catalytic grant is helping chart a new course. This funding is part of a broader $69 million World Bank-supported effort to drive economic transformation through the Private Sector Jobs and Economic Transformation (PSJET) project.
“Industrial parks like Caracol are more than just economic zones—they’re job engines. By modernizing these spaces with renewable energy and waste management solutions, we can help businesses survive, attract investment, and help communities thrive.”
— Maria Kim, Senior Private Sector Specialist, World Bank
A Green Boost for Jobs
The KGGTF-backed initiative focuses on three priorities: improving resource efficiency, upgrading infrastructure to align with eco-industrial park (EIP) standards, and strengthening policy frameworks to attract investors. These shifts are already unlocking potential for job creation and retention.
At the Caracol Industrial Park (PIC)—a public-private partnership developed with $315.8 million from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) (including $170 million in co-financing from USAID) and $78 million from Sae-A Trading Co.—thousands are already employed. The park’s shift toward sustainable practices is creating even more opportunities by positioning it as a green manufacturing hub.
“Green growth isn’t just an environmental agenda—it’s an employment strategy. The shift to Eco-Industrial Parks gives us a framework to create resilient jobs while meeting global investment standards.”
—Senior Private Sector Specialist, World Bank
Turning Plans into Progress
Backed by a comprehensive “Practitioner’s Handbook for Eco-Industrial Parks”—developed by the World Bank, Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), UNIDO, and GIZ—the project has helped deliver detailed action plans for two major parks in Haiti: Caracol and the Metropolitan Industrial Park (PIM). These include feasibility studies, investment pipelines, proposed social infrastructure, recommended skills, competencies, and training programs for park managers.
Thanks to KGGTF support, the Caracol Industrial Park manager is expected to adopt the EIP Action Plan, which outlines priority investments over the next 15 years in three phases. Planned investments include flood defense infrastructure, an upgraded water treatment plant, an integrated waste management facility, and a decentralized wastewater treatment system. These improvements will help the Park meet the environmental standards increasingly demanded by global buyers. In doing so, they will safeguard over 35,000 jobs in the garment sector and lay the groundwork for tens of thousands of new jobs in the future.
December 19, 2024 technical workshop with SONAPI, World Bank staff, and consultants at PIM.
Driving Policy Change, Attracting Investment
Beyond the parks themselves, the program has informed national and city-level policy—including plans for sustainable infrastructure and green growth. The aim: to create a stable, investment-ready business climate.
This strategic alignment is already bearing fruit. With every $1 from the KGGTF, the project has mobilized $107 in leveraged funding—demonstrating the strong investment case for sustainable industry.
“The KGGTF grant helped us turn plans into action. By connecting the PSJET project with park authorities and the private sector, we’re building a bridge between policy and investment—and that’s where the jobs are.”
— World Bank Task Team Leader
The Road Ahead
With momentum building, the next step is scaling success. Plans are underway to:
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Expand EIP principles to more zones.
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Create financial incentives for green investments.
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Strengthen regulatory enforcement.
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Establish a permanent platform for government–private sector collaboration.
A Blueprint for Resilient Growth
Haiti’s journey offers a model for other countries facing similar development challenges. By blending sustainability with economic strategy, it’s proving that green growth and job creation go hand in hand.
As Haiti builds a greener industrial future, it is not just protecting the jobs of today—it’s creating the resilient, sustainable workforces of tomorrow.
Read the full story in the KGGTF Annual Report here