WASHINGTON (June 30, 2016) — The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration is organizing a trade mission to Central America scheduled for March 26-28 in San Jose, Costa Rica.
The mission is open to all U.S. companies with growing potential in Central America, Commerce said in a June 30 Federal Register notice.
However, the mission is focused on companies with the best prospects in Central America, including auto parts and accessories, construction equipment, road building machinery and renewable energy, the agency said.
“Trade Americas — Business Opportunities in Central America” is the conference title, according to Commerce.
The mission will begin March 26 with an opening reception that is open to both conference attendees and U.S. companies not participating in the trade mission, the agency said.
The conference follows on March 27. The event includes one-on-one consultations with economic and commercial officers from the U.S. Embassies of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua and Panama, the agency said.
March 28 will be the day for business-to-business appointments between mission participants and Costa Rican businessmen, Commerce said. After the mission, a limited number of participants will have the option to continue business-to-business appointments, each participant choosing one of the following countries: El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua or Panama.
The Commerce Department has undertaken many programs to promote U.S. business in Central and South America, especially through its Market Development Coordinator Program (MDCP).
One of the recipients of an MDCP grant has been the Auto Care Association (AA), which has used the grant money to organize trade missions for ACA members in Latin America, most recently in Guatemala.
To see the Commerce Department notice on the trade mission, click here.