http://www.just-style.com/news_detail.asp?art=38635

HONDURAS: Industry Experts To Address 'Life AFTA CAFTA'
13 Sep 2005
Source: just-style.com


Three leading industry organisations – AHM (the Honduran Manufacturers Association), SPESA (the Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas), and [TC]2 – are hosting a conference next week to bring together major US and Central American executives and industry experts to discuss ‘Life AFTA CAFTA.’

The two-day event, El Foro 2005 (the Central American Forum for Textiles and Apparel) is in response to requests from major apparel manufacturers in Honduras and throughout Central America for a high-level intelligence-sharing forum focusing on the challenges and opportunities associated with manufacturing and sourcing into Central America now that CAFTA is a reality.

El Foro features presentations on pertinent trade issues, country focus reports, and viewpoints from major retailers and brand manufacturers. El Foro also provides key perspectives on worldwide technology, textiles, and regional sourcing.

Speakers include American Apparel & Footwear Association president Kevin Burke who will deliver a lunch address on ‘Worldwide Trade in the Post-CAFTA-DR Environment,’ and the US Department of Commerce's Jim Leonard who will speak on ‘The Washington Perspective.’

Henry Fransen, executive director of the AHM (Asociación Hondureña de Maquiladores), has lined up five influential leaders and speakers from Central America.

The Honduras perspective will come from Jésus Canahuati, president of Elcatex and President of AHM; the El Salvadore Perspective will be presented by Francisco Escobar Thompson, president of Fresco Group; the Guatemala Perspective will be given by Roberto Antonio Malouf, president of Texzibe; and the Nicaragua Perspective is being portrayed by Juan Carlos Pereira, executive director of ProNicaragua.

El Foro takes place from 19-20 September 2005 at Club Arabe, San Pedro Sula, Honduras. It runs alongside Honduras Textile & Apparel Week and SPESA Expo & AHM Sourcing – Central America from 19-23 September.