Panama City, Panama – On December 16, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez met with Ministers of Trade and senior officials from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Panama. These countries represent the Alliance for Development in Democracy (ADD). Key stakeholders from the ADD Business Council and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) also attended the meeting. This was the third meeting of the U.S.-ADD Joint Consultative Dialogue on partnerships for economic growth and supply chain resilience.
The dialogue focused on commitments from the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding between ADD countries and the United States. The main goal was to strengthen regional supply chains, especially in medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Participants set ADD priorities for 2025 and identified steps to deepen trade between the United States and ADD member countries. The ADD Business Council’s role in implementing these efforts was highlighted. The IDB proposed opportunities for regulatory harmonization between ADD countries and the United States, aiming to simplify processes and attract more investment to the region.
ADD member countries reaffirmed their commitment to strategic coordination and collaboration in 2025. They pledged to take concrete actions to improve the investment climate, support economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for their citizens through inclusive democracy.
0 Comments