IDB president visits Haiti

President of the Inter American Development Bank (IDB), Luis Alberto Moreno, begins an official two-day visit to Haiti today.



Mr. Moreno’s visit will focus on long-term support for Haiti’s recovery.



The May 14-15 visit follows the recent decision by the IDB Board of Governors to cancel Haiti’s pending debt and to provide more than US$2 billion in grants to the country over the coming decade.



An official statement from the Bank said Moreno will meet with President René Préval on Saturday to talk about the key sectors where the Haitian government expects the IDB to focus its work in the coming years.



The discussion is expected to cover roads, water, agriculture, education and private sector investments.



During the visit, Mr. Moreno will also hold talks with other Haitian authorities and pay a visit to the Marie Esther School on Rue Turgeau -one of the 50 sites where temporary schools are being built using an IDB grant.