Thread: Commerce official stops by, touts CAFTA

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/business/12461904.htm

Posted on Wed, Aug. 24, 2005

David Sampson, deputy secretary of commerce, said Tuesday that CAFTA will benefit the Texas economy.
STAR-TELEGRAM ARCHIVES
David Sampson, deputy secretary of commerce, said Tuesday that CAFTA will benefit the Texas economy.

Commerce official stops by, touts CAFTA

By ANDREA AHLES

STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER

The new Central America Free Trade Agreement, approved by Congress last month, could generate millions of dollars more in exports for Texas, Deputy Commerce Secretary David Sampson told a group of local business leaders Tuesday morning.

Sampson, a former Arlington Chamber of Commerce president, said that the Texas economy is "inextricably linked with exports markets" and will have 44 million new customers when CAFTA goes into effect. CAFTA will eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers between the United States and Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

Now, Texas exports about $2 billion in products to CAFTA countries. Sampson said he expects some Texas industries will see dramatic growth in their exports in the next three to five years as a result of CAFTA.

"Texas beef exports are expected to triple in the next several years as these markets open up," Sampson said, adding that petrochemical and construction-equipment companies could also benefit from the trade agreement.

Sampson said the information-technology and telecommunications sector in North Texas may also see increased demand for its products in CAFTA countries.
Andrea Ahles, (817) 390-7695 aahles@star-telegram.com

I hope Mr Sampson recieved the jeers and rotten tomatoes he deserved!