Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs Jose W. Fernandez will travel to Guatemala, Panama, and El Salvador August 20-23 to meet with representatives from the private and public sectors to discuss economic development in the region that will also bolster U.S. economic growth.

Assistant Secretary Fernandez will travel to Guatemala City on August 20-21. There, he will meet with the U.S. Ambassadors to Central America, economic officials, and business leaders to discuss further trade and investment between the United States and the region, and how to foster innovation and economic development.

Assistant Secretary Fernandez will travel to Panama City on August 22 to expand on efforts to advance economic cooperation. He will meet economic officials and business leaders to discuss implementation of our bilateral Trade Promotion Agreement. He will also join a discussion with the National Center of Competitiveness about how the Pathways to Prosperity initiative can support the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises. At the National Secretariat for Science and Technology, he will announce the launch of the U.S. - Panama Innovation and Competitiveness Initiative in partnership with the Washington Center. This joint initiative provides leadership and professional training for select Panamanian students, including opportunities for internships with U.S. companies, which supports President Obama’s goal of increasing international exchange of students through the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Initiative.

Assistant Secretary Fernandez will travel to San Salvador on August 23, where he will meet with Government of El Salvador officials, members of the private sector, and legislative assembly representatives to discuss economic issues and progress on the Partnership for Growth initiative.

For updates, follow Assistant Secretary Fernandez on Facebook and Twitter @EconEngage.