"This legislation provides important incentives to expand trade and investment in Haiti and it does so in a manner respectful of the complementarities of the industries in our two countries," said Representative Sander Levin, who heads the Ways and Means Committee and is a co-sponsor of the bill.

"It reflects careful consideration and collaboration with stakeholders here in the United States as well as Haitian industry representatives and provides a way forward that works to the benefit of workers and businesses in both countries."

The Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act, introduced in both the House and Senate, would expand duty-free access to the US market for additional Haitian textile and apparel exports and extend existing trade preference programs for Haiti through 2020.

The sponsors of the bill include Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus and ranking Republican Senator Chuck Grassley. In the House, Representatives Dave Camp and Charles Rangel joined the sponsors

"On January 12, Haiti met with an unthinkable crisis, one that no nation ever hopes to bear," said Rangel of the 7.0-magnitude quake that, according to some estimates, killed between 250,000 and 300,000 people.

"We were presented with a challenge too -- how to help our sister nation through such a crisis," he said.

"This legislation is one critical part of the answer. The Haitian garment sector, Haiti's flagship industry, was making important strides prior to the earthquake and helping the country's economy establish a stable foothold. With this legislation, we will help to get the garment sector and Haiti's economy back on that critical trajectory."

Camp added that the measures "will encourage the long-term investment Haiti desperately needs for its economic recovery and future stability" and "builds on the short term assistance" from Washington.

The United States last month pledged 1.15 billion for Haiti's long-term recovery and reconstruction at a conference of donors. Congress also approved a measure allowing Americans who donate to Haiti relief efforts to get a tax deduction in their 2009 filing.

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