Speeches

“Made in the USA” Exhibition Remarks - August 25, 2006

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.  It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Fifth Annual “Made in the USA” Exhibition. 

For the past five years, the “Made in the USA” Exhibition has showcased American products and services available in Belize and enabled the Belizean consumer to see and sample a variety of U.S. made merchandise.  It has also given Belizean entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop contacts with American businesses – and perhaps establish mutually beneficial partnerships. 

This year, we also offer you the opportunity to learn more about how existing trade organizations in Belize can help facilitate trade between our two countries.  This afternoon, Maria Elena Sylvestre (President of the American Chamber of Commerce of Belize) will give a presentation entitled, “Advocacy and Lobbying Efforts of the American Chamber” and Johnathan DeSilva of BELTRAIDE will give a presentation entitled, “Creating a Conducive Investment Climate in Belize.”  I encourage you to attend one or both of these presentations.

The United States is Belize’s number one trading partner, providing roughly 38 percent of Belizean imports and accounting for 55 percent of exports.  In an effort to maintain and strengthen this economic relationship, the U.S. Embassy stands ready to assist in providing information to potential American investors regarding the host country, and can also facilitate contacts. 

Thriving international commerce, such as that between the U.S. and Belize, promotes prosperity, job-creation, and maintains peaceful foreign relations.  The U.S. is committed to expanding trade and promoting development.  Since 2001, the U.S. has entered into free trade agreements with 12 countries.  Export growth to trade partners with free trade agreements implemented between 2001 and 2005 is twice as fast as U.S. export growth to the world.  More trade leads to more jobs for workers, more income for businesses, and more choices for consumers.  Free-er trade expands individual opportunity and reduces barriers to allow ideas, goods, and people to travel across borders at speeds unknown just a few decades ago.  Indeed, that is why free trade is at the center of President Bush's vision of a world of expanding economic opportunity, prosperity, and freedom.  America is economically stronger when we participate fully in the worldwide economy.  When 95 percent of the potential customers for American products live outside of the U.S., America must reject policies that would result in economic isolationism.  The “Made in the USA” Exhibition demonstrates our rejection of economic isolationism and our commitment to economic opportunity and strong trade partnerships.

Developing countries’ potential gains from free trade are significant: the World Bank estimates that full trade liberalization would boost the incomes of developing countries by up to $259 billion over the next 10 years.  These facts speak for themselves: reduced tariffs create new trade flows and promote development.

Belize is currently facing serious economic challenges that affect us all.  While there is no magic formula or single individual that will solve the country’s problems, we can work together to create a brighter, more prosperous future for Belize.  Strengthening U.S.-Belize trade relations and encouraging American investment in Belize is an important part in achieving that goal. 

Once again, thank you, exhibitors, for participating in this event and thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for attending and supporting American investment in Belize.  We hope next year’s exhibition is even bigger and better than this year’s.