DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE HIT HAITI
The SIMACT shareholders
are all saddened by the news of the widespread
devastation caused by this monstrous earthquake that hit
our country with unexpected suddenness and ferocity.
Early reports indicate that
the successive aftershocks may have closed the door of
life to the entire city of Port-au-Prince making it the
worst calamity known to any Caribbean nation to date.
Sorrow fills our heart at
this sad moment and we are asking everyone to help in
the immediate recovery period by their prayers, services
and monetary support. The very sad tidings of this
disaster should pull all of us together as resilient
Haitians to truly help rebuild our country......This is
the time in our history to finally unite behind our
banner "L'Union fait la force".
While needed help is
beginning to flow into
Port-au-Prince, Jacmel remains a
city in ruins. Lamandou is still
standing despite repeated tremendous
aftershocks. Simact is asking for
your help to maintain the hotel as
a potential station for housing
Relief mission personnel on a
temporary basis. A full inspection
of the hotel is to be done.
Generators are about to run dry and
the food supplies are running very
low.
The Jacmel hospital is severely
damaged and several families are
homeless. Please, help by going to
our Foundation website
Please
visit
http://www.simactfoundation.org
to make an online donation or please
make out a check to Simact
Foundation, and mail to Simact,
247-02 Post Avenue, Westbury, NY
11590.
Executive Summary
SImACT, Inc. is a
New York-based company with a range of investment interests that are
focused upon the Republic of Haiti. SImACT (Societe Immobiliere
d'Agriculture, de Commerce, et de Tourisme) was founded in 1996 by a
group of Haitian professionals, initially focusing upon real estate
development opportunities.
The company, which began with six investors, now has 51
shareholders. It has expanded the original vision of the founders
and now encompasses investment and ownership in several key areas of
enterprise - tourism, mining, financial services, and agriculture.
With a capitalization investment in excess of $5,000,000, the
company is now poised to take full advantage of its position as one
of the most dynamic and progressive American companies engaged in
business undertakings in Haiti.
SImACT is currently engaged in several exciting new initiatives in
the areas of tourism, mining, and financial services that are based
upon the platform of development and success that the company has
experienced to date.
Tourism
Four years ago the company purchased the Cap Lamandou Hotel in
Jacmel, on the southeastern coast of Haiti. Cap Lamandou Hotel was
the company's first venture in the tourism industry and it has been
a successful investment since its acquisition. Following up on this
success, the company has purchased 200 acres of land in the northern
part on the country in Milot, historically one of the key tourist
attractions in Haiti.
Additionally, the company has already commissioned and received the
completed design for the Belle Rive complex that will be built at a
28 acre Jacmel property on the southeastern coast of Haiti. Jacmel
has been known as a cultural center of Haiti. It seasonally gathers
every year thousand of tourists for film festival, carnival, music
festival. It is well known a well known source of arts work. Belle
Rive will consist of a 120 room luxury hotel as well as 94
condominium townhouses. The complex also will feature a marina,
restaurants and array of amenities that will be unique, not only in
Haiti, but throughout the region. Construction is planned to begin
by the end of 2009 at an estimated total cost of $50,000,000.
Based upon these initiatives SImACT is currently engaged in
discussions with one of the world's leading hotel chains regarding
an affiliation/franchise agreement. The fact that Haiti represents a
new market opportunity and that the management of the company has
demonstrated its ability to create and maintain successful
enterprises in Haiti has provided the impetus for these discussions
which should reach a successful conclusion before the end of the
year.
Mining
Mining represents another opportunity for the management of SImACT
to pursue a diverse and consistently assertive investment strategy
in Haiti. The rational and environmentally-conscious exploitation
mineral resources in this country will provide for the growth of
employment and internal development that are hallmarks of
substantive and institutional positive change.
The company has
invested $2,000,000 in this mining project. Earlier in 2009 it
entered into a joint venture with Majescor Resources, Ltd. one of
the leading global mining companies in Canada. With the technical
experience and expertise of its joint venture partner, SImACT is
pursuing the continuing exploration of gold and copper mining
opportunities pursuant to concessions granted by the Haitian
government. During the next two years it is anticipated that this
venture will expend $10,000,000 to sustain research and exploration
costs prior to bringing advanced properties to full exploitation and
production.
Financial Services
The broad range of activities in Haiti has made it useful for the
company to have a direct presence in the financial services industry
in that company. The company acquired an 11% interest in Banque de
l"Union Haitienne, one of the leading institutions in that country.
The management of the company has considered several strategies that
will permit it to profitably leverage its current position with the
bank and within the industry.
Agriculture
Through its subsidiary SImACT Agro, Inc., the company has
established a significant presence in the agricultural sector of
Haiti. To date, its major initiative has been the importation of
wood and wood products as an alternative to the continued
utilization of charcoal which has had catastrophic deforestation
consequences in Haiti.
During this calendar year Eco-Trade Haiti will be exploring
additional opportunities in the agricultural sector. Included for
consideration will be the acquisition of agricultural properties for
the growth of various crops for internal distribution and export.
Conclusion
The management of SImACT is pursuing an innovative and creative
series of investment strategies in Haiti. Its goal of creating a
diverse yet consolidated company that will combine the goals of
profitability and development are compatible with the strategies
that have been adopted. The company is now pursuing opportunities to
establish the appropriate capitalization platform that will result
in the achievement of these stated goals. In addition, SImACT seeks
to support needy communities through its
Foundation.
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View of the beach at Cap Lamandou
Belle Rive project
Cap Lamandou Hotel
Cap Lamandou pool
Cap Lamandou dining-room
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