Patterson will serve in his capacity as special representative of CARICOM on Haiti. He is already a member of the Interim Haitian Reconstruction Committee.

The council comprises political and business leaders from around the world, including former US president Bill Clinton.

Patterson was chosen because of his “pedigree, personal skills, demonstrated leadership, and involvement in social causes,” said Haitian president Michel Martelly, according to a release issued by the Caricom Secretariat.

The advisory council will have three goals: promote brand Haiti; advise the office of the president on policy and strategic initiatives to improve the country’s competitiveness; enhance the economic outlook, and identify and attract investments that will create jobs, and tap Haiti as a place to conduct business.

The first meeting of the council will be in New York on September 21