Sept. 25, 2003

Uruguay is reaching beyond the border of Mercosur to foster its own economic growth. In what President Jorge Batlle called in the Uruguayan press, "the most important trade meetings in Uruguay's history," 70 representatives of Uruguayan companies flew to Miami to conduct some 700 meetings with more than 200 U.S. firms.

President Batlle traveled with Ambassador Martin J. Silverstein and an Uruguayan trade delegation to Puerto Rico and Miami during the week of Sept. 15. While most of the discussions centered on meat, other foods and products such as wood, dairy, textiles, leather and various technologies and services were also promoted.

The U.S. Embassy in Montevideo has supported the Uruguayan government's efforts by hosting trade delegations, organizing agricultural seminars, facilitating in business exchange and participating in trade fairs. Embassy officials have encouraged Uruguayans to continue talks with U.S. business leaders in other states to promote their products.

After meeting with Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, President Batlle backed Miami as the headquarters for the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), according to US and Uruguayan media reports. Batlle is the first president from a Latin American or Caribbean country to endorse Miami, reports say. He backed Miami for its location, infrastructure and bilingual populace, according to the media.

President Batlle had met with Miami's FTAA representatives last month in Uruguay. He said he plans to lobby his colleagues in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, all part of the trade block in FTAA, according to reports. He also initiated plans for Gov. Bush to head a trade delegation to Uruguay.

During the trip to Puerto Rico, President Batlle searched for new markets for Uruguayan businesses, focusing on free trade, joint ventures and expanded markets.

President Batlle was invited to dinner at the residence of Governor of Puerto Rico Sila Calderon Serra (Sept. 15). Ambassador and Mrs. Audrey Silverstein, Uruguayan Tourism Minister Pedro Bordaberry, Uruguayan Ambassador to the US Hugo Fernandez Faingold and Ferdinand Mercado, Secretary of State of Puerto Rico, also attended.

Batlle met with the governor of Puerto Rico and greeted members of her cabinet. Ambassador Faingold joined Secretary Mercado in signing the Declaration of Cooperation, which establishes working groups from both the private and public sectors on business, culture, arts and education. At the press conference, Ambassador Silverstein pointed out that the U.S. supports and encourages international trade which creates employment and lifts people out of poverty. He added that the joint declaration was similar to statements signed between Uruguay and organizations in both North Carolina and Florida.

Ambassador Silverstein also traveled to Philadelphia to meet with the city's Regional Port Authority officials (Sept. 19) to promote cooperation between the ports in Philadelphia and Montevideo.

PHOTO GALLERY

President Jorge Batlle speaks to group in Puerto Rico while Governor of Puerto Rico Sila Calderon Serra (right) listens.	Ambassador Martin J. and Mrs. Audrey Silverstein with Uruguayan Ambassador to the US Hugo Fernandez Faingold in Puerto Rico.
President Batlle with Gov. Calderon Serra.	Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Ambassador Silverstein
From left: Ambassador Silverstein, President Batlle, Gov. Bush and Ambassador Faingold.	President Batlle addresses group at Florida International University.