Belize represented at F.T.A.A. talks in Miami

Trade Ministers of the Americas met in Miami this week to renew their commitment to conclude negotiations for the establishment of a hemisphere wide free trade area by January 2005. Today they agreed to the text for a Ministerial Declaration on the Free Trade Area of the Americas, F.T.A.A.. According to a release from the Ministry of Investment, Brazil informed CARICOM of its desire to start negotiating a free trade agreement with that regional organisation, and it was agreed that a framework for the proposal would be concluded between the two parties in June. In addition to the ministerial talks, the private sector also held deliberations at the Americas Business Forum. Belize’s delegation was led by Minister of Foreign Trade Eamon Courtenay and included C.E.O. Jose Alpuche, Senator Godwin Hulse, Mark Lizarraga, Venetia Eck, Bridget Cullerton, Louis Sylvestre, Maria Elena Sylvester, and Janine Sylvester.