MIAMI, Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Leonel Fernandez, President of the Dominican Republic, announced today his endorsement of Miami as the location for the Permanent Secretariat of the Free Trade Area of the Americas.

"From a business, cultural and geographical perspective, Miami is the ideal location for the FTAA Permanent Secretariat," said President Fernandez. "Miami's unique position as the center of trade throughout the Americas is second to none."

Florida FTAA, together with Governor Bush, hosted a press conference this morning followed by a luncheon meeting with Dr. Leonel Fernandez and nearly 400 Miami-Dade business leaders. In his remarks on Miami, President Fernandez discussed the strong ties that unite the Dominican Republic and Florida and the dynamic trade relationship between the two. He highlighted his many personal ties and affinities for our people and community further ratifying his understanding and support of Miami as the natural site for the FTAA permanent home.

"The Dominican Republic and President Fernandez have consistently been one of Florida's strongest supporters in the region, and their endorsement today is the latest example of the special relationship uniting Florida and the Dominican Republic," Governor Bush said. "This commitment to Florida by President Fernandez will have a tremendous impact on our ongoing campaign to bring the FTAA Secretariat to Miami, as we continue to gather support among Latin American and Caribbean nations."

The Dominican Republic is Florida's second largest trading partner in the world, with a bilateral relationship of almost $4.9 billion in 2003. Last year, $2.13 billion in merchandise exports flowed to the Dominican Republic from Florida, and $2.76 billion in import goods from the Dominican Republic came to our state.

The endorsement's importance for Miami lies not only in the many strong ties that unite the Dominican Republic and Florida, but also in the country's reversal of its prior commitment to Panama by the previous administration.

"President Fernandez's decision to reconsider his predecessor's position in support of Panama will provide a major boost to our efforts in the Hemisphere. This significant move made by this true hemispheric leader will pave the way for additional endorsements in the future. This is a historic day for our community, our state, and for the Dominican Republic. We are deeply honored and appreciative," said Jorge L. Arrizurieta, President of Florida FTAA, Inc.

"President Fernandez's endorsement of Miami is a major step toward securing the Permanent Secretariat in Miami," said Florida FTAA, Inc. Chairman, Ambassador Charles E. Cobb, Jr. "Given the dynamic relationships that already exist between our city and the Dominican Republic, this announcement clearly ratifies that Miami's proposal for the Permanent Secretariat of the Free Trade Area of the Americas is gaining momentum daily."

The Dominican Republic's endorsement complements the list of countries supporting Miami, which includes Uruguay, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.

The Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), currently being negotiated by 34 democratically elected Western Hemisphere nations, is intended to be the most far-reaching trade agreement in history. It is an effort to unite the economies of the Western Hemisphere into a single free trade agreement comprising 800 million consumers with a combined gross domestic product of $14 trillion. Florida FTAA, Inc. is the private-public entity led by Governor Jeb Bush and officials throughout the State of Florida with the mission that Miami, FL become the site of the Permanent Secretariat of the Free Trade Area of the Americas. Florida FTAA is chaired by Ambassador Charles E. Cobb, Jr. and managed by President Jorge L. Arrizurieta. The administrative offices are located at the Biltmore Hotel Conference Center of the Americas in Coral Gables, Florida. Florida FTAA, Inc.

Web site: http://www.floridaftaa.org/