Three more cities apply for FTAA HQ

Saturday, November 8, 2003

MIAMI, Florida: Three more cities have unexpectedly joined the race to be selected as the headquarters for a proposed 34-nation Free Trade Area of the Americas as Chicago, Colorado Springs and Cancún (Mexico) formally submitted bids. 

This brings to seven the number of cities formally in the running, the other four being Miami, Panama City (Panama), Puebla (Mexico), and Port of Spain (Trinidad & Tobago). Two more contenders, Atlanta and Houston are also expected to submit formal bids soon.

The FTAA office would employ at least 100 people, draw visitors for meetings from across the Americas and, above all, bring prestige to the host city - much as Brussels has gained as headquarters for the European Union.

According to press reports, Miami is considered the frontrunner in the race because of long-standing business and cultural ties with Latin America and the Caribbean. Florida handles the bulk of U.S. trade with the Latin and Caribbean region, excluding Mexico. Plus, South Florida hosts large populations from every nation in the Americas.

Competitors have until Nov. 20 to submit applications to the two FTAA co-chairs: the United States and Brazil.

The 34 nations crafting an FTAA pact are expected to choose a headquarters site before the end of next year, apparently through consensus and as part of larger horse-trading on all issues - not in a separate vote, although Trinidad & Tobago has called for a vote on that issue alone..

Miami is counting on the White House eventually nominating a U.S. city for the secretariat, and backers doubt President Bush would let his brother's state lose out to rivals, particularly since his re-election bid in 2004 may hinge on winning Florida. But with Bush's home state of Texas in the running and Illinois also considered a key battleground in the election, the political calculus surrounding the choice has gotten a bit fuzzier.

With every nation in the hemisphere but Cuba negotiating for an end to tariffs and other trade protections, experts say global politics will probably play a bigger role in determining the home of the FTAA. Some countries are complaining about the symbolism of housing the FTAA in the region's economic giant, while others say a country like Panama offers a more central location.

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