AFI-Public-Private Dialogue Roundtable on Inclusive Green Finance | Réunions de Printemps du FMI et de la Banque Mondiale

IMF & World Bank Group Spring Meetings, Sideline Event-Avril 2025.

Distinguished Guests, 

It is an honor for me to participate in this important roundtable on Inclusive Green Finance. I would like to thank the AFI and all the other partners for initiating this vital dialogue, bringing together stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to discuss the promotion of greener financial inclusion.

Indeed, it is widely recognized that at least seven out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are closely related to financial inclusion. This inclusion rests on nine fundamental principles that serve as a framework for decision-makers and stakeholders. Among these principles, collaboration between the public and private sectors holds a strategic position. In a context marked by high climate, social, and environmental fragility, such as that experienced in Haiti, participating in this dialogue to reinforce this principle is especially relevant.

A study conducted in 2022 by the Ministry of the Environment (MDE) indicates that Haiti, due to its geographic location in the Caribbean, undergoes significant climate variations that frequently cause considerable economic and financial damage. These effects are amplified by the cumulative impacts of various successive shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, floods, cyclones, persistent earthquakes, and the multidimensional crisis affecting the country, resulting in the displacement of thousands of people. In this precarious context, the already vulnerable population faces an increased risk of social exclusion and poverty.

While the Central Bank and other regulatory authorities play a central role in developing appropriate policies and implementing flexible and inclusive mechanisms, it is equally essential to recognize the importance of other actors. Their active participation in shaping discussions, proposing innovative solutions, and pooling their resources and expertise is a crucial lever for collectively addressing environmental challenges and fostering the design and implementation of both inclusive and sustainable financial solutions.

In this regard, the Ministry of the Environment (MDE) adopted a National Policy for Climate Change Mitigation (PNCC) in July 2019. This policy outlines the strategic directions for the country to enhance its ability to tackle environmental challenges and adapt to climate changes.

Several concrete initiatives by the Banque de la République d’Haïti (BRH), in partnership with the government, international community actors, and local institutions, demonstrate the importance of a multisectoral approach to promote financial inclusion while integrating ecological transition. Examples include:

– The World Bank’s support in data collection and technical assistance to develop the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (SNIF).

– The AFI’s contribution to the development and implementation of the National Financial Education Plan (PNEF).

– Swiss Cooperation’s support through the SME Booster project, which has strengthened efforts to support the vital sector for the development of a sustainable Haitian economy, namely MPMEs. Local financial institutions also play a key role in offering green financial products and services, including digital options, to environmentally focused small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Furthermore, the BRH has already launched several initiatives aligned with the prospects of inclusive green finance, including mechanisms aimed at encouraging productive credit. Collaborative projects conducted under its growth and research programs, involving the private sector, civil society, and other partners, have expanded the offering of inclusive financial services, particularly for vulnerable groups, while reinforcing the resilience of the financial sector against economic, social, and environmental challenges. Examples include:

– Circular letter 115-6, which aims to support the offer of moratoriums on loans granted by financial institutions, providing borrowers with payment extensions during crises.

– Circular letter 121, regulating the expansion of financial product offerings by fintech companies.

– Circular letter 108, allowing financial institutions to not set aside mandatory reserves on local currency resources destined for funding agricultural and livestock production activities.

– Circular letter 113, facilitating the refinancing of loans granted in the agricultural sector and supporting ecological transition.

The outcomes of the aforementioned partnerships represent valuable experiences, confirming that the complementarity and synergy of actions taken by the public and private sectors remain essential for developing a greener financial services offering, facilitating ecological transition, and contributing to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Through my participation in this dialogue, I wish to reaffirm the commitment of the Banque de la République d’Haïti to promoting inclusive green finance. I also hope that our forthcoming exchanges and the partnerships that may arise from this roundtable will lead to concrete and impactful actions that can ensure the true integration of all social groups within our countries. Thank you!