Press Release

Secretary Gutierrez Statement on the Closing of the 2008 Americas Competitiveness Forum

ATLANTA—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin formally handed over next year’s Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) to Chilean Minister of Economy, Development & Reconstruction Hugo Lavados, who will host the forum in Chile in the Fall of 2009. Atlanta has agreed to host the forum in 2010.

“We are excited to announce that Chile will host the next Americas Competitiveness Forum,” Gutierrez said. “Over the past two days we have explored free-market policies and strategies to promote investment, innovation and growth throughout the Western Hemisphere.

“The future of competitiveness in the Americas depends upon a shared commitment to openness and democracy embodied by our dialogue in Atlanta. This ongoing discussion brings key public- and private-sector leaders together to discuss ways to improve our competitiveness in the global marketplace.”

ACF 2008 was attended by more than 900 participants representing 29 of the 34 democratically elected governments in the Western Hemisphere, including three presidents, a vice president and more than 50 foreign government officials. Notable accomplishments of the forum include:

• ACF 2008 Final Report: This report highlights the best practices that were discussed at the plenary sessions and breakout sessions on the following topics: Alliances in Business and Education, Renewable Energy, Trade Logistics, and Travel and Tourism in the Americas.
• Western Hemisphere Competitiveness Survey: This survey focuses on the views of ACF participants regarding the ability of Western Hemisphere nations to successfully compete in the global economy. Results of the survey will be published on the ACF Web site.
• Western Hemisphere Textiles/Apparel Cooperation: This is an agreement among Western Hemisphere governments to promote further stability and growth in the region’s textiles and apparel trade by capitalizing on existing programs and agreements, and by exploring ways to enhance the Americas’ competitiveness in this vital sector.
• Latin American Small Business Initiative: This is a practical guide to help small businesses in Latin America take advantage of trade opportunities in the hemisphere based on a model from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The guide is entitled, “Breaking Into the Trade Game: A Small Business Guide to Exporting.”