

	To view or print the PDF content on this page, download the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®. June 8, 2007 HP-448 Secretary Paulson to Participate in Americas Competitiveness Forum in Atlanta Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. will participate in the inaugural conference next week of the Americas Competitiveness Forum hosted by Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez. In the opening session of the second day of the forum Secretary Paulson will deliver keynote remarks focusing on efforts to bring new economic opportunities, continued poverty reduction and an expanded middle class to this hemisphere. Secretary Paulson will announce a new initiative to expand lending to small businesses that currently have little access to financing. The forum will bring key public and private-sector leaders together to discuss ways to increase competitiveness in the Western Hemisphere. It will facilitate the sharing of ideas and examples of success from other countries in the region in education, innovation, supply chain strategies, workforce development and small business development growth. For more information on the forum go to: http://www.ita.doc.gov/competitiveness/ACF/index.asp Who Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. What Opening Plenary Remarks When Tuesday, June 12, 8:30 a.m. (EDT) Where Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel 265 Peachtree Center Avenue Marquis Ballroom B-D Atlanta, Georgia * Who Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez What Joint Press Briefing When Tuesday, June 12, 9:30 a.m. (EDT) Where Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel 265 Peachtree Center Avenue Lobby Level, L506 Atlanta, Georgia Note** Media must complete application and submit it to the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration Office of Public Affairs: http://trade.gov/competitiveness/ACF/acf_media_credential_form.pdf