FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 14, 2005

 

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez to Embark on First Business Development Mission to Central America since Passage of CAFTA
Public Schedule Attached

WASHINGTON, D.C . -- U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and 18 U.S. business executives will depart Sunday, Oct. 16 for a five-day business development mission to Guatemala , Honduras and El Salvador October 16-21. The mission will highlight new U.S. business opportunities and stronger trade ties with Central America.

Gutierrez will meet with Central American officials and the CAFTA Presidents to begin fully implementing the trade agreement and opening the Central American market for U.S. businesses. He will also lead the business delegation at each stop in meetings with key government and business representatives, Chambers of Commerce and industry, trade associations and potential business partners.

This is the first business development mission to Central America since the Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) was signed by President Bush in August.

The public schedule for Secretary Gutierrez is attached. For more information on this mission and copy of the Secretary’s remarks visit www.doc.gov.

-MORE-

 

Guatemala City, Guatemala

*NOTE: All information is subject to change. More details will be provided as they become available.  

Sunday, October 16
1:30 PM - Briefing at CONRED (National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction) on disaster relief efforts

CONRED National Headquarters | Guatemala City , Guatemala
PHOTO SPRAY AT BOTTOM

Monday, October 17
8:00 AM - Remarks to the Caribbean-Central American Action (CCAA) Joint Session with President Berger
OPEN PRESS

9:10 AM - Photo opportunity with President Berger, Minister of Economy Marcio Cuevas, US Interagency Members, and US business delegation immediately following CCAA event
CAMERAS ONLY

9:25 AM - Meeting with President Berger
CLOSED PRESS

10:15 AM - CAFTA Trade Mission Press Conference
OPEN PRESS

11:00 AM - Meeting with Minister of Economy Marcio Cuevas
CLOSED PRESS

12:00 PM - Meeting with Central American Trade MinistersPHOTO SPRAY AT TOP  

4:40 PM - Tour of PriceSmart, Inc. Warehouse Store
OPEN PRESS

Tuesday, October 18
8:15 AM - Guatemalan breakfast visit with AnaCafe, Inguat, and AGEXPRONT and Tour of Finca San Rafael Urias
OPEN PRESS  

10:45 AM - Meeting with Participants in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Enforcement Training, hosted by US Department of Commerce Patent and Trademark Office, Office of Enforcement (USPTO)
OPEN PRESS  

11:30 AM. - Press Availability with Secretary Gutierrez and IPR Enforcement Training meeting participants
OPEN PRESS  

1:30 PM - Remarks to AMCHAM’s luncheon and Trade Finance Seminar
OPEN PRESS

San Pedro Sula , Honduras

*NOTE: All information is subject to change. More details will be provided as they become available.

Wednesday, October 19
8:30 AM Meeting with Minister Irving Guerro
PHOTO SPRAY AT TOP

10:15 AM - Tour of Ministry of Labor Regional Office
PRESS AVAILABILTY  

12:00 PM - Remarks at Empresa Nacionao Portuaria
OPEN PRESS

1:35 PM - U.S. Customs Office Dedication
OPEN PRESS

4:00 PM - Trade Finance Seminar
OPEN PRESS

6:30 PM - Meeting with President Ricardo Maduro
PHOTO SPRAY AT TOP

San Salvador , El Salvador

*NOTE: All information is subject to change. More details will be provided as they become available.

Thursday, October 20
10:00 AM - CAFTA-DR Heads of State Working Meeting
PHOTO SPRAY AT TOP

12:00 PM - Joint Press Conference with the Central American and Dominican Republic Presidents
OPEN PRESS

Friday, October 21
8:30 AM - Trade Finance Seminar
OPEN PRESS  

12:30 PM - AMCHAM Speech - Corporate Social Responsibility
OPEN PRESS

2:30 PM - US Trade and Development Agency Grant Signing Ceremony
OPEN PRESS

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