Treasury Secretary Hosts Central American Finance Ministers
(Officials discuss shared challenges in promoting growth and
stability) (300)
U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow hosted a meeting of Central American
finance ministers on April 11 to discuss shared challenges in
promoting sustained economic growth and stability in the region,
according to an April 11 press statement issued by the Department of
Treasury.
The meeting of economic officials followed an April 10 meeting between
President Bush and five Central American presidents and focused on the
key building blocks of growth and stability, the press statement said.
Following is the text of the press statement:
(begin text)
U.S. Department of the Treasury
PRESS STATEMENT
MINISTERS MEETING ON CENTRAL AMERICA WASHINGTON, D.C. APRIL 11, 2003
Today Secretary Snow hosted a meeting of Central American Ministers to
discuss shared challenges in promoting sustained growth and financial
stability in the region. The meeting was part of the Bush
administration's focus on strengthening Hemispheric ties vital to our
economic interests. It followed yesterday's meeting on the Central
American Free Trade Agreement hosted by President Bush. Participating
in the discussion were Ministers Fonseca of Belize, Trejos of Costa
Rica, Daboub of El Salvador, Weymann of Guatemala, Cosenza of
Honduras, Montealegre of Nicaragua, and Delgado of Panama.
The discussion centered on key building blocks of growth and
stability: sustainable public finances, new business creation and
foreign investment, fighting corruption, and fighting terrorism
through cutting off access to finance. Ministers reviewed successes in
the region and identified best policy practices, as well as effective
political strategies for advancing reform. Secretary Snow welcomed the
free exchange of ideas and concrete evidence of progress on difficult
challenges. He pledged to continue to engage with these and other
Hemispheric economic leaders to foster real gains for countries
pursuing strong policies.
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