Background

During the First Summit of the Americas held in December 1994 in Miami, the Heads of State of the 34 democratic countries of the Americas agreed to create a common market encompassing the 800 million people of the Americas.

The FTAA’s objective is to create economic growth for the citizens of the Americas with a vision to eradicate poverty. It is part of a common agenda set forth in three Presidential Summits of the Americas based on promoting democracy and economic opportunity.

The FTAA will be established by January 2005.

VIII Americas Business Forum – Miami, Nov. 17 – 21, 2003 Miami, Fl
Business leaders of 34 countries will converge in Miami on Nov. 17-19th, 2003, to participate in the VIII America’s Business Forum. This dynamic group, representing leaders from North, Central, South America and the Caribbean, will participate in negotiations formulating the position of the business sector through proposals, and recommendations to be given to the meeting of the Ministers of Trade also being held in Miami on Nov. 19-21, 2003.