“Diplomatic relations have many facets, but probably no part of our job affects the people of both nations more directly than our trade relations. An increase in trade beneifts the citizens of both countries. When the United States enjoys an economic success, the Dominican economy grows by some 1.2 points for each point of growth in the United States, and when the Dominican economy prospers, exports from the United States increase. It is a truly virtuous cycle,” stated the Ambassador.

Ambassador Hans H. Hertell referred to the plans and projects of these important United States entities in the promotion of the Dominican agricultural and comemrcial sectors.

In relation to the United States Commercial Service, Hertell pointed out that this office: “….has the responsibility of promoting agricultural exchange between our two countries. Through its office, we have also become involved in the development of farmers´ markets in order to expand the local marketing options for Dominican producers. We have also supported the development of the Dominican agricultural sector during the last three years by means of the donation of 255 million pesos in rehabilitation after Hurricane Georges, of small and mid-sized agricultural operations throughout Dominican territory.”

With respect to the Office of Animal and Vegetable Health Inspection Services of the United States Department of Agriculture, Hertell pointed out that “Carolyn Cohen and her personnel have the important job of helping to develop an infrastructure which will ensure us that agriculture in the Dominican Republic and the United States stays free from harmful diseases and pests, which can cause an enormous amount of economic damage to our farmers.”

The Office of Foreign Agricultural Service in Santo Domingo represents the Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), whose regional headquarters is in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (DR), and also covers Haiti and Jamaica. As representative of the largest industry in the United States, and as the largest agricultural exporter in the world, FAS Santo Domingo represents a diversity of interests of United States agricultural producers and of the food and agriculture sector abroad. FAS also is in the vanguard of improving access to markets and the promotion of foods, fish, and forestry products of the United States among the importers and consumers of the region.

In order to conclude his remarks, the diplomatic representative encouraged those present to use the facilities of these offices in this country, promising to invest all energy and effort to do everything possible to make the commercial plans and projects of national businessmen a reality. “As President Bush declared in his State of the Union Address to Congress, his economic plan can be reduced to a single word: JOBS. You in the commercial sector have the key to create jobs for both countries. And we are here to help you,” said Ambassador Hertell.