According to the main economic indicators (annual rate) of the Haitian Institute of Statistics and Informatics (IHSI) the first fiscal quarter 2014 (October-December) is significantly higher than the first quarter of the previous fiscal year, but the results are variable from the previous quarter.

Industry :

Increase of 8.9% of the index of industrial production YoY and 1.5% compared to the previous quarter. This quarterly growth results of a contrasting trends of different industries. The manufacture of food, wood products, paper and printing and manufacturing of chemical product rose by 1.6%, 8.3% and 9.0%. By cons, textiles (-5.8%), non-metallic minerals (-6.8%) and metallurgical basic works (-12.7%) have rather fallen.

Energy :

Decrease 8.9% yoy and 0.5% slight increase of the index of production of electrical energy compared to the previous quarter. The quarterly increase was due to an improvement in the thermal production of 3.9%, while hydroelectric production decreased by 20.4%. Consumption billed, for his part, displayed a downward trend (-2.9%) compared to the previous quarter.

Construction :

8.3% rise in the index of construction activity yoy, but decrease of 4.7% compared to the previous quarter. This negative trend observed for the quarter was in line with the decline of most imported building materials including cement. Moreover, the number of employees working in the sector has also declined during the quarter.

Internal trade :

13.3% increase in the index of commercial activity yoy and 6.5% compared to last quarter. This positive quarterly change in nominal value, is due to the good performance of the main sub-sectors including: retail sale of food products (2.7%), motor vehicle (8.5%), vehicle accessories (21.8%), other consumer goods (5.1%) and items and household goods appliances (6.6%).

Foreign Trade :

Decrease 0.7% of the index of the average value of imports yoy and slightly increased by 0.8% compared to the previous quarter. Similarly, the index of the total value fell by 14.3% yoy and 9.9% compared to the previous quarter, which led to a decrease in the quantum of imports by 13.7% yoy and 10.7%, compared to the previous quarter.

Consumer Prices :

3.7% increase in the index of consumer prices yoy and 0.6% compared to the previous quarter. This quarterly change recorded in prices is related to an increase in expenditure items whose the most important: Transport (1.7%), Recreation (2.7%), clothing (1.5%) Other goods (1.5%) and housing (1.4%). The price index of agricultural products, meanwhile, rose 5.2% YoY but declined 0.1% compared to the previous quarter.

HL/ HaitiLibre