Haitian President Michel Martelly recently announced plans to create 500,000 jobs for Haitians over the next three years. He made the announcement at the second investor forum in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital. The forum was organized by the William J. Clinton Foundation, Inter-American Development Bank and the Haitian government.

Martelly expressed confidence that over the next three years half a million people will be employed. He said Haitians do not want gifts, they need work. According to Martelly's plans, the jobs will be created in various areas, including road, port and airport reconstruction, tourism, agriculture, and the textile industry.

"We have a legislative agenda that will be released before January 15, including all legal frameworks to encourage investment," Martelly said. Reforms will be in the areas of customs, taxation, secure environment, property rights – all measures to meet foreign investors' expectations.

Martelly said the participation of a number of foreign investors in the forum showed their interest in the country. Extending an invitation to them, he said, "We invite you to do business in Haiti, to reap the benefits while making Haiti [a] prosperous Haiti."

Some 1,000 participants from more than 29 countries participated in the forum which gave potential investors the chance to learn more about how the Haitian government plans to create jobs in the nation.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, co-chair of the Presidential Advisory Council for Economic Development and Investment, present at the forum, said the presence of the foreign investors showed the importance of private sector financing in the country and that the country is again open for business. "I am proud that the Clinton Foundation works in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Haitian government to create new business opportunities for Haitians and foreign investors to help the country rebuild itself better," stated Clinton.

"One of the biggest challenges is in Haiti to boost economic growth and create jobs," said IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno. He said private investment is crucial to the nation.

A related AP report said some of the job opportunities will come from a new Marriott hotel planned for Port-au-Prince and the South Korean-run industrial park slated to open next year.

In the meantime, the international community awaits the Haitian government's action in re-establishing an agency to coordinate the much delayed reconstruction activities following the earthquake, and to accept and manage funding from international donors. The former commission co-chaired by President Clinton was dissolved earlier this year. Clinton told the AP that said when and if a new agency is established he would be willing to continue to serve on it, if the Haitian government requests him to. It has also been reported that Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille is involved in creating the structure and functions of a new reconstruction commission.