President Leonel Fernández returned yesterday to Santo Domingo at 5 pm after participating in the Puerto Rican trade, investment and tourism conference as part of the "One American Market: The South Looks South." President Fernández met with presidents of Central America and the governors of several U.S. southern states. In the final statement, the Declaration of Puerto Rico, the visiting presidents and governors committed to back efforts to pass legislation that would expand the scope of the Caribbean Basin Initiative program in view that the North American Free Trade Agreement has given Mexico an unfair advantage over the region in regards to light manufacturing and assembly operations. They also agreed to continue backing and promoting encounters among private sector such as the trade forum that was part of the event. They also committed to back development and collaboration strategies with the Central American Economic Integration System (SIECA) and the Southern Governors Association to promote trade, investment and tourism among both regions. The next meeting is set for year 2000. Governors of Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Carolina North, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virgin Islands, Virginia, West Virginia and Oklahoma participated. Also presidents of El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras.
