Press Releases 08
Presidents Bush and Calderon Participate in Launch of
Pathways to Prosperity Program
Statement by Ambassador Antonio O. Garza
Mexico City, September 24, 2008 - “This morning, Presidents
Bush, Calderon, and the leaders of 10 other Central and South
American countries with which the United States has free trade
agreements met on the margins of the United Nations General
Assembly and jointly announced the “Pathways to Prosperity
in the Americas” initiative. Pathways’ goal is to expand the
benefits of free trade to small businesses, farmers and all
our citizens by creating regional structures to support and
facilitate trade among our countries.
“Free trade and open investment have been a positive story
for the U.S. and Mexico -- under NAFTA our gross domestic
product has grown 50%, Mexico has seen 46% growth, and we
now trade over a billion dollars a day in goods and services.
Pathways will not only expand opportunities for individuals
to participate in this great growth, it will enhance cooperation
on regional economic development plans and improve coordination
on environmental and labor standards. In addition, it will
provide opportunities to engage the private sector and civil
society in advancing these goals.
“Pathways will complement other regional cooperation projects,
both those in which the U.S. is involved and those being developed
by our friends throughout the region. Freer trade is an important
catalyst for sustained economic growth and poverty reduction.
Pathways will further reduce barriers to trade and promote
awareness of international trade opportunities among the region’s
entrepreneurs.”
To read President Bush’s Discussion on Free Trade with Western
Hemisphere Leaders, click here:
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http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/09/20080924-1.html
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http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=peacesecspanish&y=2008&m=
September&x=20080924132708pii0.2743494
To read the statement by Secretary Condoleezza Rice, click
here:
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http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2008/09/110184.htm
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