AGP Executive Report

Aviation & Trade Links: American Airlines will resume direct flights to Haiti on Nov. 1, starting with Cap-Haitien, while the FAA keeps Port-au-Prince service banned through at least Sept. 3 due to armed-group risks—an important signal for tourism, business travel, and regional connectivity. Public Finance: Haiti’s Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation and the Economy and Finance Ministry launched drafting of the 2026–2027 state budget, bringing in customs and tax bodies to shape a “realistic” plan amid security and economic strain. World Cup, Haiti’s Economy & Image: Haiti’s World Cup return is driving diaspora spending and local watch-party demand in the U.S., with Haiti training in New Jersey and fans gathering ahead of the Haiti–Scotland opener in Boston. Immigration Pressure & Costs: Canadian fans plan to boycott World Cup matches in the U.S., citing Trump-era visa and border enforcement fears for dual citizens and targeted nationalities, adding friction to travel and spending. Food Security Shock: A report warns the Iran war is starving millions via higher food and fuel costs and disrupted trade, with UN funding cuts forcing rationing. Human Rights & Labor: Rights groups mark World Day Against Child Labour, citing 138 million children in work globally, including 54 million in hazardous conditions—an economic and social risk for Haiti’s future workforce.

Haiti World Cup Kit Clash: FIFA ordered Haiti to change its World Cup jersey after flagging “political” imagery tied to the Haitian Revolution, forcing Saeta and the Haitian Football Federation to revise the design ahead of the Scotland match. U.S. Visa Pressure on Caribbean Tourism: The U.S. denied a visa renewal to the newly elected CHTA president, Dominica hotelier Gregor Nassief, amid broader tighter visa measures affecting Caribbean countries and concerns around Citizenship by Investment vetting. Border Rules Hit World Cup Access: A Somali referee was denied U.S. entry despite a valid visa and FIFA invitation, highlighting how “vetting concerns” and travel bans can disrupt World Cup operations and travel plans. World Cup as a Cost and Trade Shock: Coverage points to how high ticket prices and U.S. entry restrictions are pricing out many fans, while global conflict spillovers are also pushing up food and fuel costs—an economic stress that can ripple into Caribbean households. Regional Business Angle: Boston Stadium’s temporary rebranding and venue upgrades show how major tournaments reshape local spending, branding, and logistics for host-city businesses.

Haiti’s World Cup kit clash: FIFA forced Haiti to redesign jerseys days before the Scotland opener after flag and battle imagery tied to the 1803 Battle of Vertières and the Haitian Revolution was deemed “political,” turning a cultural tribute into a last-minute compliance headache for the Saeta-made uniforms. U.S. entry pressure on Haitian trade routes: The U.S. Coast Guard says ships departing Haiti will face tightened entry rules starting June 22, with vessels required to raise port security and document compliance or risk denial of entry into U.S. waters—another blow to already fragile maritime logistics. World Cup access and visas: Reporting ahead of kick-off highlights broader travel friction for fans and officials, including rejected visas for non-European applicants and cases of last-minute ESTA cancellations, adding uncertainty to tourism-linked spending. Security build-up: FBI Director Kash Patel described the World Cup as the biggest security “lift” in bureau history, citing threats ranging from drones to terrorism—context for why border and port controls are tightening. Food-system funding: Seeding The Future and Welthungerhilfe announced winners of a $1M global food-system innovation challenge, underscoring continued investment in agriculture and resilience beyond sports.

Haiti–U.S. Border & Shipping: The U.S. Coast Guard is tightening entry rules for vessels arriving from Haiti, warning ports must raise antiterrorism security or face denial of entry into U.S. waters. World Cup Trade, Travel & Jobs: With Haiti set to play Scotland in Boston on June 13, Massachusetts says it spent about $86M on World Cup preparations and urges residents to enable emergency alerts—while the broader tournament is already reshaping local spending and staffing. Local Economy & Late-Night Rules: Boston is extending bar and restaurant alcohol service to 3 a.m. for World Cup match days, aiming to boost small-business revenue. Haiti’s World Cup Branding: Haiti was forced to change its World Cup 2026 shirt after FIFA objected to a design tied to political messaging. Caribbean Migration Pressure: A new report warns declining immigration could worsen labor shortages in Massachusetts, with health care, higher education, and construction most exposed. Global Food Cost Shock: The Iran war is driving up food and fuel prices and disrupting trade, with the World Food Programme warning millions face severe hunger. U.S. Citizenship Revocations: DOJ denaturalization actions include Caribbean nationals from Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago, adding uncertainty for diaspora communities.

Tax Modernization: Haiti’s Directorate General of Taxes (DGI) marked 102 years since its 1924 creation, with Prime Minister Alix Fils-Aimé and Finance Minister Serge Gabriel Collin highlighting reforms like digital tax tele-services and tools aimed at a more transparent, investment-friendly administration, with support reiterated by partners including the IMF and World Bank. Education & Jobs Pipeline: The Ministry of National Education created a 7-member ad hoc committee to launch the Public University of the West (UPO), integrating the CFEF, ENGA and ENST to handle administrative, academic and logistical setup. Hurricane Preparedness: Ahead of the June 1 start of hurricane season, ministries presented plans focused on drainage and river cleaning, with Public Works targeting critical areas across multiple cities and ongoing drainage works in departmental capitals. Tech & Startups: Dev Expo 2026’s AI challenge awarded 5 million gourdes total to five Haitian startups, including Zòn Pam, a real-time security alert platform with an AI assistant. World Cup, Haiti in the Spotlight: Haiti’s return to the World Cup after decades is also colliding with travel barriers for Haitian fans abroad, as visa restrictions and heightened scrutiny threaten attendance and watch access.

Renewables Push in Haiti: Haiti’s Prime Minister Alix Fils-Aimé announced the removal of taxes on solar panels and batteries to make clean energy more affordable for households, businesses, and institutions, aiming to cut reliance on traditional fuels while supporting environmental and economic development. School Clean-Cooking Pilot: Haiti’s National School Canteen Program (PNCS) and FER Haire signed an agreement to shift school canteens from charcoal to cleaner LPG cooking, starting with four schools in Saint-Michel de l’Attalaye, Gonaïves, and Cap-Haïtien—targeting deforestation and better health for cooks. World Cup Economy & Access: With the 2026 World Cup starting June 11 across the US, Canada, and Mexico, Haiti’s presence is tied to broader costs and travel friction, including visa restrictions affecting some fans and officials—while Haiti’s own World Cup spotlight continues to grow through community and cultural initiatives. Global Food Pressure: The Iran war is worsening food insecurity worldwide, with the World Food Programme warning of millions facing severe hunger as trade and logistics costs rise and UN funding gaps force rationing.

Food Security Shock: The UN’s World Food Programme warns the Iran war is pushing tens of millions toward severe hunger, driven by higher food and fuel costs and disrupted trade, with WFP forced to ration aid after major funding cuts. Green Cooking Transition: Haiti’s PNCS and FERRE Haiti signed an agreement to pilot LPG (clean propane) stoves in four school canteens, aiming to cut charcoal use, deforestation, and improve cooks’ health. Haiti World Cup Momentum (Diaspora & Local Business): In South Florida, Haiti’s World Cup push is energizing youth soccer programs and community events, while Boston’s Haitian community is organizing a free Haiti–Scotland watch party with local vendors and cultural performances. Visa Friction & Economic Spillovers: US entry restrictions are disrupting World Cup travel, including denials affecting officials and fans, adding uncertainty for businesses and supporters tied to the tournament. Sports-Driven Policy & Public Spending: Scotland’s special World Cup bank holiday is confirmed, but only for Scotland—highlighting how event-linked policy decisions can reshape local costs and schedules.

Haitian Fans’ World Cup Access: Lynn, Massachusetts is hosting a Team Haiti watch party on June 19 at City Hall, pairing Haitian food with the Haiti vs. Brazil match to help residents avoid steep World Cup ticket prices. U.S. Citizenship Crackdown: The U.S. DOJ filed civil denaturalization actions against 17 naturalized Americans accused of hiding crimes or fraud during naturalization, signaling a broader push that could affect Haitian diaspora families in the U.S. Humanitarian Pressure: The UN’s World Food Program warns the Iran war is worsening hunger, with millions more at risk as food and fuel prices rise and trade is disrupted. Local Economic Planning for Visitors: Pennsylvania’s PennDOT launched a real-time traffic site for major summer events, including World Cup matches and fan festivals, aiming to reduce travel friction for incoming visitors. World Cup Cost Backlash: Reports highlight that some superfans are staying home due to high ticket prices, travel costs, and concerns about entering the U.S., adding pressure to host-city tourism expectations.

Haiti in the spotlight: Haiti’s return to the 2026 World Cup is being framed as more than sport, with the Haitian government urging national unity behind the Grenadiers ahead of the opener versus Scotland in Boston. Hunger and instability backdrop: A charity push tied to the match highlights how conflict and gang control are crushing Haiti’s economy and supply chains, leaving children facing acute food insecurity. Regional growth hit: ECLAC says Latin America’s 2026 growth outlook is slipping, with Cuba and Haiti weighing hardest—Haiti projected around -1.4% and still trapped by crisis conditions. Urban security & planning: Haiti’s land-use planning community is linking weak territorial governance to higher security risks and illicit markets, arguing better mapping and planning can support local development. World Cup economy ripple: In the US/UK, the tournament is driving consumer activity and policy tweaks (like extended retail delivery hours and special viewing arrangements), while broader global shocks—from the Iran war to rising food prices—continue to pressure costs and humanitarian needs.

Haiti Digital Push: Haiti’s Ministry of National Education announced a National Commission for the Digital Transformation of the Education System (CNTNSE), aiming to digitize governance and expand access to digital learning resources. Green Jobs & Energy Tax Cuts: Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announced the elimination of taxes on batteries and solar panels, framed as part of World Environment Day efforts to grow “green jobs” and support climate resilience. Innovation Funding for Startups: DevExpo 2026’s finale awarded 5 million gourdes to five AI-for-social-impact startups, selected from 200+ applications, targeting education, health, entrepreneurship and service access. Governance & Investment Risk: Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index again places Haiti at the bottom of the Caribbean, reinforcing concerns for business and donor risk. World Cup Spillover for Haiti: With Brazil vs Haiti and Scotland vs Haiti among key fixtures, Haiti’s World Cup return is also driving cross-border attention and tourism-linked spending in host cities.

Haiti’s Digital Push: Haiti’s Ministry of National Education moves to digitize schooling by creating a National Commission for the Digital Transformation of the Education System, aiming to modernize teaching, improve school governance, and expand access to digital learning resources. AI for Jobs and Services: DevExpo 2026’s final awarded 5 startups a total of 5 million gourdes for AI-driven projects targeting education, health, entrepreneurship, and access to services—showing how tech is being positioned as an economic lever. Green Economy Policy: Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announced the elimination of taxes on batteries and solar panels, framed as part of World Environment Day efforts to expand sanitation, restore ecosystems, and grow “green jobs.” Governance Pressure: Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index again places Haiti at the bottom of the Caribbean table, reinforcing investor and business concerns around public-sector trust. World Cup Trade Link: With Brazil set to face Haiti in Group C in Philadelphia on June 19, the tournament is also a business moment for Haiti’s visibility abroad—alongside major logistics and security planning in host cities.

Haiti’s Justice & Child Protection: Amnesty welcomed Haiti’s new specialized judicial units aimed at tackling organized financial crimes, arms trafficking, and sexual violence, urging authorities to prioritize justice for child victims amid gang violence and impunity. Humanitarian Funding: The U.S. approved $240M for Catholic Relief Services, with Haiti among the beneficiary countries for food, nutrition, health, water, sanitation, and shelter—part of a broader push to reduce grant burdens and speed disbursement. Migration Pressure: A boat carrying 240 Haitian migrants was intercepted near the Turks and Caicos, underscoring how Haiti’s security and humanitarian crisis keeps driving dangerous departures. Environment & Jobs: On World Environment Day, Haiti’s Environment Ministry highlighted departmental mobilization—school outreach, plastic pollution education, tree planting, and coastal cleanup—framing green jobs and citizen action as practical local economic and resilience steps. Water Security: A global drinking-water assessment flagged unsafe water as a major public health risk, with many of the worst-ranked countries in Africa—relevant to Haiti’s ongoing water and sanitation challenges. World Cup Economy Signal: Haiti’s Postal Service launched a commemorative stamp for the Grenadiers’ 2026 World Cup qualification, a small but visible boost for national branding and commerce around the tournament.

Haiti’s World Cup branding: Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé launched a commemorative postage stamp marking Haiti’s 2026 World Cup qualification, with the Haitian Postal Service and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry framing it as a national unity and future-focused symbol. Justice and child protection: Amnesty International welcomed Haiti’s move to create specialized judicial units for organized financial crimes, illegal arms trade, sexual violence, and trafficking, urging authorities to prioritize justice for child victims amid gang violence and impunity. Food security shock: The UN World Food Programme warned the Iran conflict is pushing millions more toward acute hunger as fuel and food prices rise and trade routes are disrupted, naming Haiti among other major hunger hotspots. US humanitarian funding with Haiti included: The US approved over $240m for Catholic Relief Services, with Haiti listed among beneficiary countries for multi-sector aid covering food, health, water, sanitation, shelter, and nutrition. World Cup logistics in the US: Philadelphia’s World Cup schedule highlights Haiti’s group match vs Brazil at Lincoln Financial Field, underscoring how major host-city spending and planning will shape local economic activity around the tournament.

Food Security Shock: The UN World Food Programme warns the Iran war is pushing millions toward acute hunger as energy and food prices rise, with an added 2.5M in Somalia, 2.3M in Afghanistan, and 1.3M in Sri Lanka facing food gaps. Haiti Labor & Work: In Geneva, Haiti’s Social Affairs and Labor Minister Marc-Elie Nelson urged a stronger ILO presence, including a permanent representation, to support decent work, social dialogue, and labor law modernization. Waste Management Bottleneck (Northeast): In Fort-Liberté, residents say a donor-funded landfill remains closed because a weighbridge is missing, forcing garbage dumping near the site and raising health concerns. Agriculture Risk (Texas, Haiti link): Texas confirmed its first New World screwworm case, a threat that could hit livestock and raise beef prices; the fly is known to occur in Haiti and the region. Migration & Policy Pressure: A US federal court blocked parts of Trump-era pauses on asylum and citizenship applications for nationals from 39 countries, including Haiti. World Cup Economy & Haiti Angle: With Haiti set to play Scotland at Gillette Stadium (June 13), coverage highlights the tournament’s wider spending and logistics ripple effects across host economies.

Haitian Football & World Cup Finance: Haiti’s World Cup return is backed by a reported $4 million government award to the Haitian Football Federation, with $2 million earmarked as a qualifying reward and $2 million for preparations—an important boost for a country still rebuilding amid instability. Group C Spotlight: Haiti is drawn in Group C with Brazil, Morocco and Scotland, setting up a high-stakes run where Haiti is widely treated as the underdog but still chasing a historic first win. Migration Pressure: The U.S. Coast Guard and partners intercepted an overloaded vessel carrying 240 migrants near the Turks and Caicos; the migrants said they were Haitian nationals, and the boat was towed for processing. Climate Finance for the Caribbean: Canada will deploy about US$97 million via the GAIA Climate Loan Fund to support adaptation and mitigation in vulnerable Caribbean states, including through a first-loss credit guarantee for the Caribbean Development Bank. World Cup Consumer Economy (UK): Co-op is extending online delivery hours on England and Scotland match days, including late-night ordering for the Scotland vs Haiti game—showing how global sports events ripple into retail demand.

Judicial Reform in Haiti: Amnesty International welcomed Haiti’s new specialized judicial units aimed at tackling gang-linked abuses, including sexual violence and the recruitment of children, urging independence, adequate resources, and protection for judges and prosecutors. Tourism & Air Connectivity: Haiti’s tourism push got a boost with the June 1 inauguration of a new direct air link between Newark and Cap-Haïtien by Sunrise Airways, expected to raise visitor arrivals and spill over to hotels, restaurants, transport, and small businesses. World Cup Economics & Travel Pressure: With the 2026 World Cup expanding to 48 teams across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, U.S. border and visa processes are flagged as a potential bottleneck for fans—especially for countries facing travel bans—raising concerns about whether stadium demand can be fully met. Caribbean Business Spotlight: A Broward World Cup welcome initiative will feature free events and matches including Jamaica vs. Haiti U-20, backed by a $125,000 county contribution, designed to keep local spending in the region. Diaspora & Culture: A Miami-born director’s Haitian film is premiering at Tribeca, spotlighting Cap-Haïtien and themes of family healing and male vulnerability—another signal of Haiti’s growing cultural footprint abroad.