For Immediate Release: October 7, 2011
Contact:Mary Trupo (202) 482-3809
UNDER SECRETARY FRANCISCO SÁNCHEZ PROMOTES COMPETITIVENESS AND PROSPERITY DURING THE AMERICAS COMPETITIVENESS FORUM
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez today underscored the importance of promoting job growth and increasing competitiveness during his remarks at the Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) Ministers Meeting in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The fifth annual ACF concluded today with economic ministers endorsing several initiatives to promote competitiveness and cooperation throughout the Western Hemisphere, and set the tone for joint efforts in advance of the 2012 Summit of the Americas in Colombia next April.
“The global economy presents the entire Western Hemisphere with possibilities that were unthinkable decades ago,” Sánchez said. “At this ACF, I’ve had the honor of exchanging ideas and perspectives with public and private sector representatives from across the region.”
Sánchez congratulated the Dominicans on the success of this year’s ACF program and thanked them for the value it offers to the hemisphere and its partners.
“I commend the Dominican Republic for being such a gracious host,” Sánchez said. “We’re all leaving this conference better positioned to seize the opportunities of the 21st century economy.”
During the ACF, Sánchez met with a number of his counterparts and reiterated President Obama’s commitment to forging new mutually beneficial partnerships with Western Hemisphere countries at the “Latin America and the United States: Vision 2020” plenary session.
Sánchez met with the Colombian Minister of Economy, Sergio Diaz Granados and the Panamanian Secretary of Economy, Kristelle Getzler and emphasized the importance of the pending free trade agreements with each of their countries.
The ACF is the preeminent economic and commercial event in the Western Hemisphere where participants share best practices for enhancing the competitiveness, innovation, and prosperity of the region.
The next Americas Competitiveness Forum will be hosted by Colombia in October 2012.
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