EVANS DELIVERS ON PRESIDENT BUSH'S COMMITMENT TO SOUTH AMERICA

Applauds U.S. Companies that "Invest in People"

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans today applauded American companies for their efforts to expand education around the world while urging Lima schoolchildren to become future partners in the economic development of their country. Evans said that his visit to the Huachipa School represents the values and priorities U.S. companies take when they conduct business around the world. The school receives funding for uniforms and supplies from the BellSouth Foundation of Atlanta, Georgia which are used for children who cannot attend without the additional help.

"The private sector must play an important role if we are to raise the standard of living and enhance the quality of life around the world," said Evans. "This school demonstrates the lives that are improved when companies invest in people." During the visit, Evans delivered holiday gifts that were donated by employees of the Department of Commerce.

Today's event comes on the second day of a weeklong visit by Evans to South America where he is leading 14 U.S. firms on a business development mission to Peru and Chile. The business development mission, Evans' first to South America and fourth as Secretary, follows President George W. Bush's commitment to expand trade ties with the Western Hemisphere. The Bush Administration has long voiced its support for completing negotiations on the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and for other bi-lateral and regional trade agreements that will benefit the nations of South America.

"President Bush believes that global development must begin right here at home, in our own hemisphere," said Evans. "The U.S. is committed to working with the nations of South America to advance international commerce and increase trade that will lead to greater peace and prosperity for the people of the Western Hemisphere."

Evans and the business delegation met with President Alejandro Toledo yesterday following their arrival in Peru before today's meeting with the Vice President and Minister of Trade Raul Diez Canseco. Today, Evans also witnessed the signing of a cooperative education agreement between the University of Central Florida and the Universidad de Lima. The agreement will allow students from both schools to study abroad, work on joint research projects and promote mutual understanding of both cultures.

Additional information about the business development mission may be obtained at http://www.doc.gov/latinamericatrademission.