Valley: TT ‘very comfortable’

The race for the Free Trade Area of the Americas is going to come down to Trinidad and Tobago and once it does, FTAA headquarters “here we come.”

That is the word coming from Trade Minister Ken Valley who didn’t want to sound “over-optimistic,” but was  “very comfortable” that Trinidad and Tobago would be selected as the site for the FTAA headquarters. He was speaking at a post-Cabinet news conference at Whitehall. He said while there were now 11 cities competing for the site, “What you are hearing is that the race will come down to two horses — Port-of-Spain and Miami.” Some countries have stated ‘we gave a commitment to (support) country A some two years ago, but you are our second choice.” And the feeling now is that it is going to end up between Port-of-Spain and Miami and if that is so you are going to have our support. That is what they (many countries) are saying.”

Asked why countries were moving towards Trinidad and Tobago and away from other competitors, Valley said: “The single issue is support. They see Port-of-Spain as the front runner. We have Caricom support, that is 14 votes. We have Venezuela, Costa Rica, that is 16 votes.” Miami so far had one committed vote — Uruguay, while Panama had one committed vote — the Dominican Republic. Asked whether countries were asking for anything in return for their support for Trinidad and Tobago’s bid, Valley said there had been no quid pro quo “as yet.” Valley said in his discussions with Governor of Miami, Jeb Bush, when the issue of the FTAA headquarters came up, he told Governor Bush “that I am in a similar situation that he is in. Both of us want the US vote.” Valley said he hoped that given the fact that there were seven US cities vying for the FTAA headquarters, the US would take a “neutral position” and consider Port-of-Spain as a “good alternative.”

Valley also discussed with Bush the issue of trade and the possibility of deepening trade relations between Caricom and Miami. Bush indicated a willingness to meet with Caricom leaders, he said. He added that Miami was clearly desirous of deepening its relations with Port-of-Spain and the concept of the sister city was discussed. Valley who just returned from a lobbying mission to Miami and Ottawa, said there was very positive feedback in both places. He addressed the Caribbean Central American Action group, promoting Trinidad and Tobago as the ideal site for the FTAA headquarters. Presentations to diplomats in both Miami and Florida were also made by Ambassador Shelagh Osuna.