To foster trade and development in innovative new ways, the
US-CAFTA negotiations will include a Trade Capacity Building group meeting in parallel with
the five negotiating groups. Each Central American country identified its needs in a "National
Trade Capacity Building Strategy". Donors have responded with more than 50 projects;
highlights of key initiatives are outlined below, and more will follow in the months ahead. Donors
include: U.S. Government agencies; international institutions; corporations and
non-governmental organizations.
Improving the Lives of Workers and Consumers
· The U.S. Department of Labor is
funding a number of programs that aim to enhance implementation of labor laws and improve the lives of workers in the region. For
example, an occupational safety and health project is reducing the incidence of workplace injuries,
and a cooperative program among business, workers, and governments is improving labor relations at
companies.
· Worldwide Responsible Apparel
Production (WRAP) – a global factory certification program for best practices in the apparel and sewn products industries – will
expand government, manufacturer and NGO participation in its factory compliance and labor inspection
training activities.
The President’s 2003 budget request includes $47 million in U.S. trade capacity-building assistance for Central America, a 74% increase over 2002.
Improving Food Safety and Animal Health
Inspection
· The U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, drawing on experts in other U.S.
agencies, will provide training to improve food safety and animal health inspection systems in Central America.
· The Inter-American Development
Bank (IDB) will help strengthen science-based food safety inspection systems that will comply
with commitments in the trade agreement.
Helping Small Businesses and Individuals To
Compete
· The Inter-American Development
Bank (IDB) will finance several initiatives to help small businesses in Central America. These will include training in how to trade
internationally, how to manage supply chains, and how to use international accounting and auditing
standards.
· The Organization of American
States’ Inter-American Cooperation and Development Agency approved $1.3 million in non-refundable cooperation for Central
American in 2003, most of which is directed at strengthening the competitiveness of micro and small
enterprises.
· The World Bank has approved $41.3
million in loans to help firms in Central America re-structure and become more competitive in anticipation of a free-trade agreement
with the United States. These loans are being structured to focus directly on the most immediate
challenges firms may face once US-CAFTA comes into effect.
· Intel Corporation has committed
to extend in 2003 Intel’s "Teach to the Future" effort to help 2,100 new and experienced teachers in Costa Rica to integrate technology
into their classrooms.
Investing In A Cleaner Environment
· The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and USAID, together with the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD), train
environmental compliance inspectors in Central America, thus strengthening the regional environmental
enforcement networks and improving enforcement of environmental laws in each
country.
· The World Environment Center
(WEC), an independent non-profit organization, will help locate affordable loans for small and medium-sized businesses in Central
America to invest in pollution prevention systems and environmentally cleaner technologies. The
WEC Capacity Building Program will also offer environmental training courses to businesses in
Central America.
Practical Assistance For The Negotiating Teams
· The US-CAFTA negotiations will be
intense and detailed, with nine negotiating rounds scheduled for 2003. To assist the Central American negotiators, the Central
American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) has approved $2.5 million in non-reimbursable
financial cooperation specifically to support the negotiating teams with basic trade studies and
logistical support for the nine rounds of negotiations. In addition, USAID will purchase computer equipment
for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Honduras.
Strengthening Trade-Related Information Systems and Regulatory
Practices
· Having access to high quality
trade information is vital for trade negotiators to do their jobs
effectively. USAID will purchase, install, and provide training on computer
software that will help manage realtime trade data (exports, imports, tariffs, etc.) for all five
countries.
· In Nicaragua, USAID will support
the government’s fiscal reform process, funding studies on how to replace government revenues reduced through tariff
cuts.
Involving Civil Society in the Trade Policy
Process
· USAID will work with Central
American Trade/Economic ministries to develop websites for the collection of public comments on US-CAFTA, as well as for the
dissemination of information about the negotiations to the public.
· The Humane Society of the United
States will assist Central American governments with advice on how to broaden their outreach to civil society groups in each
country.
