Laurent Lamothe
Laurent Lamothe
Full Name and Common Aliases
Laurent Lamothe is a Haitian economist and former politician who served as the Prime Minister of Haiti from 2012 to 2015.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on January 19, 1972, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Current status: Alive
Nationality and Profession(s)
Haitian-Canadian, Economist, Politician (former)
Early Life and Background
Laurent Lamothe was born to Haitian parents in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His family moved back to Haiti when he was a young child, and he spent most of his childhood there. Lamothe's early life was marked by economic hardship, which would later influence his career as an economist.
Growing up in Haiti during the 1980s and 1990s, Lamothe witnessed firsthand the country's struggles with poverty, corruption, and instability. This experience shaped his perspective on economics and governance, driving him to pursue a career that would help improve the lives of Haitians.
Major Accomplishments
Lamothe earned a Master's degree in Business Administration from McGill University in Montreal. After completing his education, he worked as an economist for several international organizations, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). His expertise in economic development and governance eventually led to his entry into politics.
In 2012, Lamothe was appointed Prime Minister of Haiti by President Michel Martelly. During his tenure, he implemented various reforms aimed at improving the country's economy and reducing poverty. Some notable accomplishments include:
Creation of a new economic growth plan
Establishment of a national business incubator to support entrepreneurship
Launch of a public-private partnership to improve infrastructureNotable Works or Actions
As Prime Minister, Lamothe played a key role in shaping Haiti's economic and social policies. He also worked closely with international partners, including the United Nations and various foreign governments, to secure funding and expertise for development projects.
Some notable works or actions during his tenure include:
Implementing a new tax reform package
Creating jobs through infrastructure development projects
Strengthening institutions such as the Central Bank of Haiti
Impact and Legacy
Lamothe's time as Prime Minister was marked by both accomplishments and challenges. Despite facing criticism for some of his policies, he remains committed to promoting economic growth and development in Haiti.
Today, Lamothe continues to be involved in Haitian politics and is recognized as a thought leader on economic issues affecting the region.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Laurent Lamothe's commitment to improving the lives of Haitians has earned him recognition both domestically and internationally. His expertise in economics, combined with his experience in governance, makes him a sought-after commentator on matters related to Haiti's development.
His quotes and writings provide valuable insights into the complexities of economic development and governance in fragile states like Haiti.
Quotes by Laurent Lamothe
Haiti is 10.4-million people, of whom 35 per cent are children under 15. The country has always had great potential - and this is still the case. Our ill fortune has long been a matter of bad governance. And now things have changed.
Countries should think of Haiti not as a place where to do charity but a place where to invest and do business. And doing business in Haiti means poverty reduction.
We must consider bringing forward legislation that will facilitate the creation and implementation of businesses in Haiti. Overall, we must better position the country to compete for new market opportunities.
As Minister of Foreign Affairs. I will work on deepening Haiti's links with its traditional partners from the North and the South, while exploring all the opportunities for economic, cultural, scientific and technological cooperation that may benefit my country.
I wanted to contribute my time, myself, my knowledge, my love, because Haiti is my everything.
The diiference is that in the private sector you work for yourself, and as Prime Minister I work for every single Haitian - inside Haiti and outside - and for all those who love Haiti as well.
I want to see Haiti do better. We have the sun everywhere: that's a big asset. We have wonderful coasts, beautiful islands, mountains. Other countries that have that are known for it, but Haiti has been so focused inwards, on its problems.
Haitian diplomacy will be oriented toward the influx of foreign capital, direct investments that create jobs and stimulate economic growth.