Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago lead a trade mission of 32 U.S. companies during the Central American Business Conference in San José, Costa Rica, Aug. 18-23.
The trade conference provided opportunities for better understanding between key U.S. and Central American government and business officials, according to an Aug. 24 news release. U.S. delegates networked with prospective partners in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama.
"This trade mission provided unparalleled opportunities for U.S. businesses to better understand key Central American markets as they seek to grow their exports to the region," Lago said in the news release. "I look forward to seeing the results of our delegates' hard work."
According to the release, Lago said she was pleased with progress accomplished by the U.S. trade mission, "both in advancing prospects for U.S. businesses and workers and strengthening bilateral economic relations."
The first stop on the trip was in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, for meetings with public and private sector officials in hopes of bolstering bilateral commercial ties, advancing mutual economic opportunities and advocating for U.S. exporters, the release reported. Minister of Economic Development Pedro Barquero, Minister Erick Tejada, interim director of Honduras' National Electric Energy Company and Executive Director of the Customs Administration Fausto Calix were among the representatives Lago met.
"From supporting individual exporters and their workers to advocating for economy-wide improvements in the commercial environment, this visit demonstrates the Department of Commerce’s unique reach in dynamic markets in Central America and around the world," Lago said in the release.