GEORGETOWN, Guyana A regional trade bloc has agreed to give Haiti special trade concessions to help the impoverished country recover from a devastating earthquake.

Caricom officials say Haiti will be allowed to export 42 items for three years without having to open its market in return.

Caribbean trade ministers drew up the list of items late yesterday at the end of a two-day summit. They say Haiti asked for help in May to stimulate its economic activity.

The agreement takes effect next January.

More than 1.5 million people in Haiti are still homeless nearly a year after the January 12, 2010 earthquake. The country has received only a trickle of the billions of aid dollars promised by the United States and other nations.