Preval and his government are trying to help the country. Last April, Preval donated one month's salary to northwest Haiti where people are so hungry they are eating dogs. To combat rising human-rights crimes and political murders, the Haitian National Police established a Special Investigations Unit that has fired or jailed most accused offenders. And while people might grumble about the government, they still value its rule. We feel more at ease to act, to denounce wrongs.
Most economists agree that Haiti's economy still needs deep structural reform.
But after 15 years of deterioration it's slowly beginning to grow. At least he is trying to do the right thing and has inspired some confidence in the private sector. Economic reforms have increased Haiti's attractiveness in the eyes of international investors. Strong efforts have been made to limit the budget deficit, the inflation rate stayed below 20 percent last year, and tax collection increased. In the 1980s, Haiti was a primary producer of garments, shoes, sporting goods, electronics, handicrafts, and other sewn and hand-assembled items.