Today, the U.S. Fashion Industry Association (USFIA), alongside the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), the National Retail Federation (NRF), the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), sent a letter to the leadership on the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee requesting their support for quick action to renew GSP and early reauthorization of the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) and the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP). The Associations stressed the importance of these two programs to both the Haitian economy and nearshoring efforts in the U.S.
"Congress agrees that nearshoring manufacturing, including apparel production, is a top priority. Haiti’s apparel sector has the potential to play a transformative role in this effort; thus, it is essential that the HOPE/HELP programs be renewed seamlessly. Without timely HOPE/HELP reauthorization, Haiti will not be seen as a viable nearshoring option for businesses."