FROM THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Today Secretary Snow hosted a meeting of Central American Ministers to discuss shared challenges in promoting sustained growth and financial stability in the region.  The meeting was part of the Bush Administration's focus on strengthening Hemispheric ties vital to our economic interests.  It followed yesterday's meeting on the Central American Free Trade Agreement hosted by President Bush.  Participating in the discussion were Ministers Fonseca of Belize, Trejos of Costa Rica, Daboub of El Salvador, Weymann of Guatemala, Cosenza of Honduras, Montealegre of Nicaragua, and Delgado of Panama.    

The discussion centered on key building blocks of growth and stability:  sustainable public finances, new business creation and foreign investment, fighting corruption, and fighting terrorism through cutting off access to finance.  Ministers reviewed successes in the region and identified best policy practices, as well as effective political strategies for advancing reform.  Secretary Snow welcomed the free exchange of ideas and concrete evidence of progress on difficult challenges.  He pledged to continue to engage with these and other Hemispheric economic leaders to foster real gains for countries pursuing strong policies.