For Immediate Release
June 27, 2000            
Contact: Channell Barbour (502)682-9400  

Governor Patton Participates in SEICA Agreement in Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico – Governor Paul Patton participated in the signing of the Secretariat for the Economic Integration of Central America (SEICA) agreement at a news conference at the Southern Growth Policy Board conference today.

The agreement of cooperation signed by Puerto Rican Governor Pedero Rossello, Southern Growth’s 1999-2000 chair, and Secretary General Haroldo Rodas Melgar of SEICA will offer a stronger relationship between Southern states and Central America.

Governor Patton was asked to participate in the agreement because he is the Chair-Elect of the Southern Governor’s Association (SGA). Two years ago at the SGA conference in Puerto Rico, the Declaration of Puerto Rico was signed, which led directly to the SEICA agreement.

“This agreement is important to creating a high quality of life for both regions,” said Governor Patton. “The two regions share similar challenges and opportunities, and by working together to promote trade, international exchange, and education we can create more job opportunities and economic growth.”

SEICA is composed of five countries in Central America: El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Costa Rico. In nearly 50 years these countries have convened to discuss regional trade, customs, transportation, and other policies in efforts to develop a common market.

“The agreement we have reached will stimulate fruitful contacts and relationships between Central America and the Southern United States,” said Governor Rossello. “Already many Southern companies have established growing stakes in Central America and today’s signing will reaffirm an eminent expansion of those investments.”

Under this agreement, SEICA (the Central American counterpart to Southern Growth’s Policy Board) and Southern Growth will work together to develop initiatives to further economic cooperation between the two regions. The agreement also calls for the development of a stronger relationship in academia through exchange programs, in government and the private sector.

“The SEICA agreement will form the foundation for ongoing relationship-building between the Southern states and Puerto Rico, and the nations of Central America,” said Southern Growth Executive Director Jim Clinton. “With this signing today, we signal our commitment to continue the kinds of cooperative projects and relationship-building with Latin America that we started this year.”

Some advantages of the signing for Southern states include: building better commercial alliances; building international skills and fostering global leadership; increased academic exchange and learning the Spanish language and culture; assistance to stabilize Latin American democracies; and to offer humanitarian assistance to Central American nations, which are often struck by devastating natural disasters.

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