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CAFTA approval will increase port business
By Ruben Bonilla
August 2, 2005

Last week's passage of the Central America Free Trade Agreement in the U.S. House demonstrates a long-range vision of spreading commerce globally and exporting democracy and prosperity.

Although the passage of CAFTA was narrow - it squeezed through by only two votes - its positive impact will be widespread throughout Texas and will ensure increased cargo into Central America through the Port of Corpus Christi.

CAFTA's passage is due in large measure to the leadership and bipartisan support of our energetic congressman, Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi. As dean of the Texas congressional delegation, Rep. Ortiz was able to influence key votes by his Democratic colleagues Ruben Hinojosa, D-Edinburg, and Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, for this historic trade agreement.

Ortiz, Hinojosa and Cuellar's support of CAFTA strengthens the economic coalition between the Port of Corpus Christi, the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo, the nation's largest inland port.

The Port of Corpus Christi has been working diligently the past several years to strengthen interpersonal relationships with business and industry in Latin America. In March of 2001, the Port of Corpus Christi signed a sister port agreement with Puerto Cortes in Honduras. This vibrant partnership promotes the development of free trade and active shipping between both ports.

In addition, the port is negotiating to secure shipments of Honduran melons into our cold storage facility.

During the past four years, more than 840,000 tons of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, gas oil, bauxite ore and asphalt moved through the port's docks to or from Puerto Cortes.

U.S. cotton is now being shipped to Honduras and the port is working on becoming a partner in this trade market. Texas ranks as the nation's top exporter of cotton and Texas farmers will greatly benefit from the new agricultural markets created by CAFTA.

Trade deal is good for port

With CAFTA approved, the Port of Corpus Christi is in a position to capture a significantly greater market share of Latin America's cargo opportunities.

In recent years, the Port Commission has made links with Cuba, entering into a new era with the export of beans, soybeans, wheat and poultry in the near future.

In addition, port officials have traveled to Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras in an effort to promote commercial ties between the port and the Caribbean Basin and Central America and South America.

The port promotes and supports development of Western Hemisphere markets. The vision of broader North/South trade lanes as a result of CAFTA will be apparent in the not-too-distant future. Products can make their way to the port's docks, where premium vessel carriers transport to all parts of Latin America. CAFTA completes the puzzle with a transition-free flow of cargo at competitive prices.

The Port of Corpus Christi is the closest major U.S. port to the Central America region. With the expected trade growth, the proposed La Quinta Container Terminal is crucial.

The great demand for a container terminal service with cargo being delivered to Latin America at competitive prices is even more crucial.

Once the container terminal is completed, the port will be well positioned to receive the increased trade and become a crucial component when developing logistics for shipping. Container trade globally is expected to experience double-digit growth over the next few years, and La Quinta stands to reap the benefits of increased North South container trade.

Free trade creates great prosperity for all America, said President George W. Bush. We agree. CAFTA sends a message to the Central American region and the world that the United States will continue to lead in opening new markets and creating a level playing field related to international trade.

President Bush is to be commended for his foresight and wisdom in supporting CAFTA and creating both "free" trade and "fair" trade.

Ruben Bonilla is chairman of the Port of Corpus Christi.



Well of course he is for CAFTA. Look who is in on the deal with him. Looks to me to be a bunch of Hispanic/Latino-Americans, that want to pay homage to their original countries, not America.