Above: Haiti Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Haiti Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe traveled to New York Friday for a visit with Haiti’s United Nations Mission and the staff of the country’s Consulate General.

Lamothe held talks with Consul General Charles Forbin, taking the opportunity to learn about the working environment in New York.

Also on Lamothe’s agenda was a visit with world-renowned actor Robert De Niro, who reportedly plans to visit Haiti in two weeks, according to Lamothe’s office.

De Niro has built a small hospitality empire over the years, from his collaborations with sushi chef Nobu Matsuhisa to his hotel, The Greenwich, in New York’s Tribeca neighbourhood.

His “Nobu” restaurant offerings with Matsuhisa have expanded into the first Nobu hotel, which will open in Las Vegas this year.

De Niro’s visit to Haiti will include exploratory visits to targeted departments in the North and South of the country.

He is said to be considering the construction of a hotel in Haiti. De Niro’s representative could not be reached for comment.

The Prime Minister also held a video conference with energy officials back in Haiti via Skype.