On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Cap-Haitien, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) officially launched the second cohort of the Youth Entrepreneurship Support Program (PAPEJ) and the Women's Entrepreneurship Support Project (PAEF).

Before an enthusiastic and proud audience, several dozen young entrepreneurs selected following a call for applications https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-44031-icihaiti-papej-support-for-youth-entrepreneurship-call-for-applications.html received checks as financial support from the MCI to launch or strengthen their projects.

It should be noted that PAPEJ meets investment needs ranging from 50,000 gourdes to no more than 2 million gourdes. Please note that PAPEJ financing is not a grant but a loan granted to young entrepreneurs at an interest rate of 3% to 5% for a term of less than 10 years.

This approach is in line with the vision of an inclusive economic recovery, supported by Minister James Monazard.

In his speech for the occasion, Minister James Monazard reaffirmed his confidence in inclusive youth to address the economic challenges facing the country. "In a country where many see the future as bleak, we have chosen to believe in our human potential. PAPEJ and PAEF are the instruments of this belief. They are designed to fight hunger and unemployment, and provide young people with concrete means to create solid and sustainable businesses right here," he declared.

HL/ HaitiLibre