Above: the OAS’ Yadira Soto, Albert Ramdin and Shelly Dass Clarke (OAS Photo/Juan Manuel Herrera)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

There have been “many positive developments” in Haiti, from the “return of investment opportunities” to the relocation of hundreds of thousands of people from tent cities, according to Organization of American States Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin.

The OAS’ number two was speaking at a meeting in Washington this week of the Group of Friends of Haiti, which he chairs.

Ramdin pointed to the appointment of 10 women to government portfolios.

“These are achievements which we must all recognize, even as we continue to work together to address the outstanding needs,” he said.

The meeting also addressed Haiti’s agriculture sector, which was hit hard by natural disasters in 2012.

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture is reportedly working with several countries to meet the need for additional seedlings, although several are still needed, including those used to grow bananas and other crops.

Haitian Ambassadors Duly Brutus and Bocchit Edmond thanked the assembled countries, including the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, for their continued support to the country.

“Countries represented here today have stood with us and have supported us in concrete ways,” Brutus said. “They have demonstrated friendship and we appreciate all their efforts.”

While Ramdin pointed to positive changes in the country, he did mention the ongoing issue of elections, which have been delayed for more than 14 months in Haiti.

“We understand that domestic political stability is essential to continued growth,” he said. “In this regard we are looking forward to all stakeholders working together to resolve outstanding issues, including the holding of senate elections.”