PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haiti has launched a new initiative aimed at formalizing at least 5,000 businesses across the country's 10 geographical departments, as authorities seek to strengthen entrepreneurship and revitalize commercial activity.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched the Regional Caravan for the Formalization and Revitalization of Commerce and Entrepreneurship on October 16, 2026, at the Hotel Montana in Pétion-Ville. The pilot programme is scheduled to run from October through November.

The initiative focuses on helping entrepreneurs, particularly those operating in the informal economy and provincial communities, navigate business registration and administrative procedures.

Participating business owners are expected to receive assistance with trade name registration and Professional Identification Cards (CIP). The government also plans to strengthen departmental commerce offices with information technology equipment to improve services and streamline application processing.

The programme comes as Haitian entrepreneurs face substantial challenges, including economic uncertainty, limited access to financing and disruptions to commercial activity.

Bringing more businesses into the formal economy could help entrepreneurs access new commercial opportunities and improve the visibility of Haiti's small-business sector. However, the initiative's longer-term impact will depend on implementation, continued support for entrepreneurs and the ability of businesses to operate in a difficult economic environment.

As the programme progresses, its target of 5,000 businesses will be an important measure of whether the government can expand formal business registration and strengthen entrepreneurship across Haiti.