PCA Convenes Strategic Dialogue Between Industry and Government to Discuss Growth Opportunities for both the Global and Central American Textile and Apparel Sectors
Washington, D.C. December 14, 2022—The Partnership for Central America (PCA) convened a strategic dialogue between industry and government leaders to identify and discuss growth opportunities for both the Central American and U.S. textile and apparel sectors. The dialogue was opened with remarks from Philip H. Gordon, National Security Advisor to Vice President Harris. Under Secretary of State, Jose W. Fernandez, provided closing remarks. The event included representatives from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The event included facilitated discussions between textile and manufacturing executives and dialogue between U.S. government representatives and executives.
Since Vice President Kamala Harris’ launch of the Call to Action in May of 2021, the Partnership has mobilized more than $3.2 billion in investments in the region. Building on the progress from previous commitments to support inclusive economic growth, the U.S. government and PCA are working to support and mobilize further investment to create new jobs. During this past year, there have been well over $1 billion of announced textile, apparel, and sourcing commitments in Central America, including $800 million recently announced investments in partnership with the Call to Action efforts.
The textile and apparel industry is well-positioned for further growth with its regional proximity and co-production with the U.S., allowing for quicker, more sustainable, and transparent supply chains that would benefit U.S. companies, consumers, and the environment. With representation across public and private sectors, this strategic dialogue was a unique opportunity that brought together key stakeholders to collectively identify the challenges and opportunities for the region, and to define tactical objectives towards further collaboration between the U.S. government and textile and apparel industry.
“Vice President Harris is committed to building on the success of the Call to Action, which has generated more than $3.2 billion in private sector investment in northern Central America,” said Phil Gordon, National Security Advisor to the Vice President. “The textile and apparel industry is critical to our efforts to create new jobs, and provide opportunity, especially among women and marginalized populations. We look forward to continued partnership with our private sector partners and creating more economic opportunity together through this innovative public-private partnership.”
“Improvements in physical infrastructure and human capital are key to increasing the economic prosperity of the region and expanding textile co-production,” said Jose W. Fernandez, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment. “With the assistance of agencies and departments from across the U.S. government, I believe we can increase investments in roads, ports, and energy production – essential elements for all industries.”
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The Partnership for Central America is a non-partisan, non-governmental organization that works with a multi-national coalition of private organizations to advance economic opportunity across underserved populations in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The Partnership serves as a coordinating body of Vice President Harris’s Call to Action and aims to facilitate and support practical solutions to advance economic opportunity, address urgent climate, education and health challenges, and promote long-term investments and workforce capability in support of a vision of hope for Central America. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to membership@centampartnership.org.
