Politics and Economy

CCAA Applauds Signing of U.S. - Central America Free Trade Agreement

Washington, D.C, May 28, 2004 - Caribbean Central American Action (CCAA) welcomed today's signing of the free trade agreement between the United States and five Central American nations - El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica - by Ambassador Robert Zoellick and the Trade Ministers of those nations today at the Organization for American States.

CCAA is also hopeful that when this agreement is combined with the soon-to-be-signed U.S. - Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement it will be quickly ratified by the U.S. Congress and the respective Central American assemblies. "It is essential that a U.S. Central America Free Trade Agreement that includes the Dominican Republic be implemented", said Jim Jacobsen, Vice Chairman of Kellwood Company and Chairman of CCAA. "Eliminating trade barriers and opening markets will improve the economic well-being of people in the region while providing greater opportunity for U.S. companies, workers, farmers and ranchers. This agreement will help to solidify the mutually beneficial political and economic relationship between the U.S. and its neighbors to the Near South."

"This is a great achievement for the United States and the Central American countries," said José Pérez-Jones, Senior Vice President, Seaboard Marine, Ltd. and President of CCAA. "The signed agreement is high standard and will create increased sales opportunities for U.S. farmers and ranchers, service firms and manufacturers. It will also serve to stimulate economic development and create jobs both in the U.S. and in Central America."

 "This is a matter of strategic importance to the United States", said Federico Sacasa, Executive Director of CCAA. "In the last two decades, the nations of Central America have made great progress towards democracy, the rule of law, and economic growth. We do not want the region to return to the conditions of the 1970's and 1980's when civil war and violence prevailed in Central America. The implementation of the U.S. - Central America Free Trade Agreement is a crucial lynchpin in their path for future prosperity. U.S. legislators cannot afford to take the Third Border of the United States for granted."

Caribbean Central American Action is a non-governmental organization that promotes private sector led economic development in the Caribbean Basin. More information can be found by visiting CCAA's website at www.c-caa.org.

Resources

PRONICARAGUA was officially established by President Enrique Bolaños in August 2002 and runs under the supervision of the Presidential Commission for Investment Promotion with the support of the private sector. It provides several services to investors searching for opportunities in Nicaragua.

ProNicaragua provides the following services without charge to the investor:

Organizes, by request, short visits for the investor to evaluate the potential of Nicaragua as a platform overseas for its growing.

Provides the investor with the information he needs for taking his decision of investment.

Helps the investor along the whole process of investment by providing him with references, key contacts and general facilitation services to start his operations.

Tourism

Nicaragua a Destination for Lindblad Expedition Cruises

After a meeting in New York between Lucia Salazar de Robelo, Minister of Tourism, and Sven Lindblad, President of Lindblad Expedition, this cruise operator has designed a new itinerary for its ships that will include Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

"People have this residual fear dating to the '80s," said Lindblad. "They don't realize Nicaragua is a different place now." The changes in the country have been sweeping, according to Salazar. "For the past 14 years, we have had democratic elections. It has changed the country beyond description," she said. We have many restaurants and hotels, like Crown Plaza, Best Western and InterContinental. The big franchises are here, businesses you didn't see before. People can walk freely, go anywhere."

The campaign focuses on a "New Nicaragua," supported by the rich culture it shares with its visitors. The program will begin in August of this year. Passengers will have the chance to choose from two itineraries. One will offer them to come to Nicaragua from Costa Rica in the ship, arriving to San Juan del Sur, Rivas passing by the Masaya Volcano, Granada and Leon. Option number two offers them arriving through the Managua International Airport to follow the reverse itinerary and continue to Costa Rica.

The beautiful colonial cities, the rich folklore, the colourful handicraft and the people's hospitality make Nicaragua a wonderful destination for all Lindblad Expeditions' passengers.

Health

Managua opens new state of the art hospital

The idea of the Metropolitan Hospital was born in the mid 90s by a group of Nicaraguan entrepreneurs and doctors interested in satisfying the need of high quality medical services in the country. In November 2001, the Association for Burn Children, Metropolitan Hospital and The Pellas Group integrated their interests, making the construction of the most modern hospital in the country possible with an investment of $ 23 million US.

Services offered by the hospital are:

- 4 Surgery rooms

- 32 modern private rooms, electric beds, Internet, cable television, bed-couch for companion.

- Imaging Services: Ultrasound, radiology and MRI- Emergency Services 24 hours a day

- Pediatric burn unit

- Modern and private Maternity rooms

- Clinics: Cardiology, orthopedics, pediatrics, urology, Physiotherapy

- Clinical and bacteriological lab 24 hours a day

- Drugstore 24 hours a day