Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo met with Panama’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Federico Alfaro and Minister of Foreign Affairs Janaina Tewaney. The three discussed how commercial relations between the United States and Panama could be strengthened, particularly in the areas of nearshoring, sound trade and investment policies, and collaborating to create stronger, more...

The Capital Readiness Program grant competition marks the largest investment to support minority entrepreneurs and businesses from the Commerce Department Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce launched the Capital Readiness Program grant competition, which dedicates $93.5 million to help minority and other underserved entrepreneurs launch and scale their businesses. This program, administered by...

Yesterday, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo hosted a virtual Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) ministerial. IPEF Ministers welcomed the progress made during the first IPEF negotiating last week in Brisbane, Australia, and thanked Australia for hosting the meetings. The Ministers had productive discussions on the economic benefits of IPEF membership and reaffirmed their...

This week, the U.S.-Africa Business Forum welcomed over 40 heads of state, 50 African delegations, and 250 African and American companies to explore ways to deepen our trade and investment partnership. The U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Corporate Council on Africa, in partnership with the U.S. government’s Prosper Africa initiative, co-hosted the first U.S.-Africa...

Yesterday, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves met with Cabinet Secretary of Investments, Trade and Industry Moses Kuria of Kenya at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. The Deputy Secretary and Cabinet Secretary Kuria discussed the longstanding partnership between the United States and Kenya and opportunities to deepen commercial ties and investment, as well as Kenya’s efforts to improve its...

Yesterday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves met with Canadian Deputy Minister of International Trade Rob Stewart. The two leaders discussed ongoing collaboration under the U.S.-Canada Roadmap, a successful recent indigenous business group delegation visit to Washington D.C., and cooperation on supply chains and critical minerals. Deputy Secretary Graves also conveyed U.S. industry...

Yesterday, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo met with Prime Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane of Algeria at the U.S.-Africa Business Forum. During the meeting, Secretary Raimondo congratulated Prime Minister Benabderrahmane on a successful Algerian International Fair (FIA). She also expressed her gratitude to the fair organizers for naming the United States as the Country of Honor at the FIA. The...

Yesterday, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo met with Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal and Chairperson of the African Union. During their meeting, the Secretary and President discussed strengthening commercial ties including through ongoing collaboration on the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Initiative and other initiatives to deepen the U.S.-Senegal trade and investment...