House vote promotes Haiti textile exports to United States

House votes to give Haiti textiles a boost

WASHINGTON — The House is trying to rejuvenate Haiti’s earthquake-crippled economy by significantly expanding the kinds of textile products and apparel it can export to the United States duty-free.

The legislation also extends through 2020 a trade program that had contributed to Haiti’s economic growth before the Jan. 12 earthquake that killed an estimated 230,000.

Textiles and apparel are Haiti’s most important export to the United States, with apparel exports reaching $513 million last year.

The measure passed by voice vote in the House and could move quickly through the Senate, where it has the support of the Democratic and Republican heads of the Finance Committee.