Retailers Applaud Senate Passage of Help Act

Legislation Will Foster Sustainable Development in Haiti

Arlington, VA - 5/7/2010

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) applauded the passage of the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. The bipartisan bill was passed by voice vote Thursday night. Stephanie Lester, Vice President for International Trade, issued the following statement.

"Rebuilding Haiti's apparel sector is critical to that country's employment and economic recovery. Given the significant challenges in Haiti after January's devastating earthquake, the HELP Act will provide much needed incentives to spur private sector investment, economic growth and job creation. America's retailers are committed to assisting Haiti, and strongly supported passage of the HELP Act.

"RILA is confident this legislation will help rebuild Haiti's economy and create thousands of new jobs that are desperately needed. RILA applauds the bipartisan, bicameral effort that resulted in passage of the HELP Act."

The HELP Act expands duty-free access to the U.S. market for Haitian textile and apparel exports and extends existing trade preference programs for Haiti through 2020.

RILA is the trade association of the world's largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.

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Jason Brewer
VP, Communications & Advocacy
Phone: 703-600-2050
Email: jason.brewer@rila.org