The objective of the Local Enterprise and Value Chain Enhancement Project (LEVE) is to help our Haitian partners create economic growth through capacity building and job creation. Prior to the January 2010 earthquake, Haiti faced high levels of unemployment, income inequality, and a limited tax base. The earthquake destroyed productive infrastructure, human capital, and inventory, requiring Haiti
to rebuild as well as increase economic opportunity. In an effort to assist Haiti to rebuild and to grow its economy, USAID is funding the LEVE project along with other important initiatives, such as helping to repair and rebuild damaged infrastructure, encouraging policies that promote a business friendly environment, and expanding access to financial products. LEVE will target micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) in an effort to work with them to improve and enhance their capacity. LEVE will also work with technical and vocational schools to help them improve their course of study and job placement. In the Port-au-Prince corridor, LEVE is providing assistance to agribusiness, construction, and the apparel/textile industry. Marc corridor, it is assisting the agribusiness sector, and in the Cap-Haitian corridor, it is assisting the construction and apparel/textile sector. By working with the private sector and workforce providers, LEVE will encourage the development of more inclusive and productive value chains. The “value chain approach” is an innovative economic tool that views a market system—from input suppliers to end market buyers— designed to improve competitiveness and enlarge the potential for rapid growth.
