Like Acra or Bigio, Titi Sabotay also embodies the Haitian private sector

By Jean Venel Casséus In Haiti, the expression “private sector” is too often misused, reduced to a closed circle of economic elites or assimilated to a social category dominated by skin color, wealth, or family heritage: Acra, Bigio, Madsen… This erroneous perception constitutes a serious handicap for the construction of a true national economic fabric. Understanding what the private sector truly is, beyond clichés, is therefore imperative for the country's development and, consequently, for recognizing the value and merits of figures like Titi Sabotay. Theoretically, the private sector refers to all economic actors who do not directly depend on the State: businesses, cooperatives, productive associations, independent workers, farmers, merchants, and service providers. It is less about a social status than an economic function. The confusion stems from the fact that, in Haiti's history, private activity was long monopolized by a minority, giving the illusion that “private sector” solely meant “grand bourgeoisie” or “privileged group”. Reducing this notion to a matter of class or wealth makes the vast majority of economic actors invisible. The farmer who sells their harvest at the market, the artisan who lives from their craftsmanship, or the taxi driver who organizes their activity, all fully belong to the private sector. In economics, they fall within the productive sphere and contribute to the GDP just like large importing companies or banking institutions. Failing to recognize this reality weakens the dynamic of inclusion essential for any sustainable growth. Historically, Haiti has operated according to a dual economy: a small core of large enterprises dominating financial and commercial circuits, and a mass of often informal micro-enterprises, ignored by public policies. This dichotomy has reinforced the false idea that the private sector is limited to the oligarchy. However, the true strength of a nation lies in the diversity of its economic actors and their integration into a structured and equitable framework. Knowingly confusing the “private sector” with a closed elite, and imposing it as such in the collective consciousness, leads to serious consequences: absence of support policies for small and medium-sized enterprises, marginalization of the rural economy, and concentration of opportunities in the hands of a few. This restrictive understanding deepens the divide between the productive base and decision-makers, preventing the emergence of a truly functional public-private partnership. The country is currently suffering the effects: a stagnant economy and increased dependence on imports. The private sector is neither a matter of color, nor a question of class, nor simply a matter of wealth: it is above all a collective engine. Any contrary narrative must be fought with determination, to allow Haiti to adopt an inclusive vision where micro-entrepreneurs, farmers, artisans, and large enterprises coexist within a framework of equitable regulation and support. New Philadelphia, August 03, 2025