Made in U.S.A. Expo promotes local and U.S. exports
That magic label “made in U.S.A.” which is meant to inspire confidence in the quality and value of American products, is not easy to find these days, as most the goods found in Wal-Mart or any other U.S. chain are more likely to come from China. But despite their citizen’s desire for cheap Asian imports, American business know-how still dominates the world. Today it was showcased in Belize.
Today the U.S. Embassy opened its 6th Annual Made in the U.S.A Trade Expo in Belize City. The event, which is taking place at the Radisson Fort George Hotel, features goods and services made in or offered by the U.S.A. These range from air travel, to canned foods, hair products, and liquor.
But the Expo is not just about selling American products.
Wilana Oldham, Owner, Hot Mamas Belize
“Since this is the first year I’m participating. I was a little bit surprised when I got invited of course because we make products that we ship into the U.S. But I’m happy to showcase what we do and also give an opportunity for everyone to taste our products.”
One reality that local traders will have to face very soon is the expiration of the Caribbean Basin Initiative and the Cotonou Agreement, which basically provide preferential access for trade between Caribbean countries, the U.S., and Europe. U.S. Charge d’Affairs to Belize, Leonard Hill, said his country is considering putting an extension on the Caribbean Basin Initiative.
Leonard Hill, US Charge d’ Affairs to Belize
“President Bush’s commitment to renew the Caribbean Basin Initiative, the administration will work with congress to make this happen. As you know our system is a little bit different from the Westminster system. The president has to convince, persuade, cajole to gain consensus from the Congress in order to move forward on administrative proposals. But we’re all looking forward to the extension and there are also key supporters in the Congress who also think this is a good idea. So I’m very confident that it will happen and the Caribbean Basin Initiative will continue to play a role in the economic development of Belize.”
Even when these trade agreements expire, BELTRAIDE’s Director of Business Facilitation, Jonathan D’Silva, says his organization is working on creating other options for local traders to survive the global market.
Jonathan D’Silva, Director of Business Facilitation, BELTRAIDE
“We’re focusing on niche marketing. That’s creating specialized products for special unique markets abroad, noh. We have two brands we’ve created, the investment brand is Belize, the Natural Niche. We’re promoting that for attracting investments, and we have our export brand, which is called Belize Foods, Celebrating Quality.”
D’Silva says while the U.S. is a good trading partner for Belize, there are other countries in Central America and CARICOM that BELTRAIDE will approach for other potential trade opportunities.
Trade Ambassador, Stuart Leslie, agrees that while current world trends aim to create better opportunities for industrialized countries over their smaller counterparts, countries like Belize should not be deterred in their efforts to succeed in the global market.
Stuart Leslie, Trade Ambassador
“Of course we cannot stop those forces that drive the world economic agenda, even in the wake of imminent marginalization. While we cannot swim against the global tide, we must not allow ourselves to be relegated to the outer margins either, where there is little if any sustenance. We must find our way into the flow that provides not only some safety, but the sustainable needs for us to grow. I believe that we can do that but how. This is not a question for government to answer I think. Perhaps it’s a question for you in the productive sector to answer.”
For a local producer like Wilana Oldham, it will take cooperation among regional traders to ensure that our countries survive.
Wilana Oldham, Owner, Hot Mamas Belize
“Elsewhere I mean you go anywhere and you see from China or from India or from Central America but there doesn’t seem to be a group representing the Caribbean and what it has to offer. We have some very unique foods here and so we’re trying to come together as a group, you know, to say we are from the Caribbean. We do have our own foods, specialties, fruits and vegetables and we’re here to present that and that will help as far as when we start to do trade with other countries for us to be more united by us having a mark which is Belize or the Caribbean.”
The Made in the U.S.A. Expo is open to everyone and ends on Sunday. Admission is free. Reporting for News Five, Marion Ali.
