Petion-Ville, Haiti (May 19, 2011): The U.S. Government and municipality of Petion-Ville inaugurated the Marche La Coupe market in Haiti today to increase merchant safety and boost local commerce. The new facility will benefit the community by providing a hub for more than 400 local vendors to sell produce and other goods.

Petion-Ville's original Marche La Coupe served as one of the community's primary commercial centers, but the 2010 earthquake destroyed the marketplace and dispersed local merchants into the surrounding streets.

Many of the displaced vendors continue to sell their goods in the crowded streets near the market, which poses significant risks to their personal safety and to sanitation. The new market will give merchants a safer, healthier alternative.

"The first step in helping vendors is to give them a clean place to do commerce away from the dangers of the street," said Claire Lydie Parent, the Mayor of Petion-Ville. "The U.S. Government helped Petion-Ville meet one of the biggest challenges facing vendors and commerce in the city."

The Marche La Coupe is the latest reconstruction project resulting from a partnership between the U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the local municipality. USAID funded the market, and the municipality agreed to manage it upon completion.

"We were pleased to work with the municipality of Petion-Ville to rebuild the Marche La Coupe," said U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Kenneth Merten. "The U.S. Government is committed to working both with Haiti's national government and also Haiti's local governments."

USAID partnered with a Haitian construction firm to demolish remains of the old market, remove rubble, and erect the new market.