The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 31, 2013

Presidential Letter -- Kingpin Designation Act

Dear Mr. Chairman: (Madam Chairman:)

(Dear Representative:) (Dear Senator:) (Dear Mr. Vice Chairman:)

This report to the Congress, under section 804(a) of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, 21 U.S.C. 1903(b)(1) (the "Kingpin Act"), transmits my designations of the following six foreign individuals and groups as appropriate for sanctions under the Kingpin Act and reports my direction of sanctions against them under the Act:

Mihael Karner (Slovenia)
Haji Khotwal Noorzai (Afghanistan)
Luis Fernando Sanchez Arellano (Mexico)
Los Caballeros Templarios (Mexico)
Los Urabeños (Colombia)
Los Cachiros (Honduras)

Sincerely,

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 31, 2013

FACT SHEET: President Obama Fights to Keep Interest Rates from Doubling

“Helping more of our young people afford college should be at the forefront of American’s agenda.  It shouldn’t be a Democratic or a Republican issue.”

--President Barack Obama, University of Colorado-Boulder, April 24, 2012.

Last year the President worked with Republicans and Democrats in Congress to secure a one-year extension to keep the student loan interest rate from doubling to 6.8 percent.  Absent Congressional action, interest rates on new subsidized student loans will double once again on July 1 of this year.  To keep rates from doubling, the President’s FY 2014 Budget proposed that Congress enact a long-term solution that cuts rates this year on nearly all new loans, ensures that all students have access to affordable repayment options, and does not charge students higher interest rate to pay for deficit reduction.   

The comprehensive solution put forward by the President allows borrowers to benefit from the low interest rates currently available in the marketplace, and guarantees these rates over the life of their loans.  In the future, fixed rates would be determined each year, and the plan would ensure that borrower’s rates are in line with the government’s own cost of borrowing.  Additionally, the President’s plan guarantees that student loans remain affordable by allowing all students – past, present, and future – to cap their payments at 10 percent of income. 

If Congress fails to act, college will be further out of reach for millions of students and families.  In fact, an incoming freshman who borrows $27,000 over the next four years -- a typical debt incurred by today’s college graduates – is projected to pay over $4,000 dollars more over the life of their loans without the President’s proposal.  As the economy continues to recover, and at a time when market interest rates are at historic lows, more than 7 million students who will rely on these loans to finance postsecondary education should not be burdened with additional college debt when they graduate and launch a career or a business, start a family, or buy a house. 

Since the President released his budget, several proposals have been put forward in the House and Senate that address the interest rate issue in both the near-term and long-term.  What is most important is that Congress agrees upon a solution that prevents rates from doubling on July 1, and a number of proposals meet that test.  The Administration has continued to focus on working with Republican and Democrats in Congress on a fix that meets that test and does not charge students higher rates to fund deficit reduction. 

While the Administration welcomed action by the House on interest rates, it unfortunately moves us in the wrong direction.  Under the recently passed House legislation, H.R. 1911, many borrowers could end up paying even more than if Congress does nothing at all.  The same college freshman who could save over $4,000 dollars under the President’s plan would pay over $200 more under the House Republican plan.  The House bill also uses higher student rates to reduce the deficit by $4 billion, raises rates the most on low-income students, creates greater uncertainty for borrowers about the total cost of their loans, and fails to include additional help for students struggling to repay their loans.  

Students and their families need certainty about college costs, not fluctuating rates, as they make critical decisions about borrowing for college.  In addition to the Administration’s work on student loan interest rates, we have worked hard to provide greater transparency about college costs through efforts like the College Scorecard, so students and families can have better information and more certainty as they plan for college.

 

Change in Interest Paid on Subsidized Stafford Loans
For a Typical Student Borrowing the Average Amount, by State

State

2013-14 Total Subsidized Stafford Loan Amount

Borrower Count

Average Borrowed

Average Savings Under the President’s PlanM

Alaska

$42,696,982

11,624

$3,673

$1,030

Alabama

$466,706,263

125,094

$3,731

$1,046

Arkansas

$246,644,654

68,243

$3,614

$1,013

Arizona

$1,650,867,640

450,977

$3,661

$1,026

California

$2,206,897,300

550,928

$4,006

$1,123

Colorado

$572,439,923

154,128

$3,714

$1,041

Connecticut

$277,885,356

73,051

$3,804

$1,066

District of Columbia

$198,987,697

50,415

$3,947

$1,106

Delaware

$67,549,662

18,452

$3,661

$1,026

Foreign Campus

$17,220,006

4,009

$4,295

$1,204

Florida

$1,756,446,930

462,048

$3,801

$1,065

Georgia

$817,315,434

228,887

$3,571

$1,001

Guam

$5,154,086

1,328

$3,882

$1,088

Hawaii

$64,351,058

17,325

$3,714

$1,041

Iowa

$817,513,738

222,553

$3,673

$1,030

Idaho

$176,757,135

46,593

$3,794

$1,063

Illinois

$1,362,168,291

337,440

$4,037

$1,132

Indiana

$1,025,417,698

271,089

$3,783

$1,060

Kansas

$283,086,712

78,074

$3,626

$1,016

Kentucky

$440,183,775

123,382

$3,568

$1,000

Louisiana

$304,064,050

84,860

$3,583

$1,004

Massachusetts

$627,935,759

158,718

$3,956

$1,109

Maryland

$387,512,749

105,027

$3,690

$1,034

Maine

$125,208,491

33,883

$3,695

$1,036

Michigan

$1,058,623,425

284,937

$3,715

$1,041

Minnesota

$718,944,505

194,211

$3,702

$1,038

Missouri

$585,481,902

157,023

$3,729

$1,045

Mississippi

$237,496,084

66,392

$3,577

$1,003

Montana

$88,120,071

24,017

$3,669

$1,028

North Carolina

$666,048,885

176,362

$3,777

$1,059

North Dakota

$73,249,983

20,041

$3,655

$1,024

Nebraska

$169,580,270

47,290

$3,586

$1,005

New Hampshire

$145,808,024

38,923

$3,746

$1,050

New Jersey

$546,133,386

144,926

$3,768

$1,056

New Mexico

$142,216,470

40,703

$3,494

$979

Nevada

$101,994,342

27,155

$3,756

$1,053

New York

$1,556,774,109

409,287

$3,804

$1,066

Ohio

$1,307,496,119

361,857

$3,613

$1,013

Oklahoma

$303,979,477

84,373

$3,603

$1,010

Oregon

$446,861,681

121,570

$3,676

$1,030

Pennsylvania

$1,452,626,575

374,328

$3,881

$1,088

Puerto Rico

$152,952,989

47,894

$3,194

$895

Rhode Island

$158,562,059

42,154

$3,761

$1,054

South Carolina

$404,736,755

111,601

$3,627

$1,017

South Dakota

$124,536,806

34,748

$3,584

$1,005

Tennessee

$497,162,080

131,788

$3,772

$1,057

Texas

$1,687,827,256

464,119

$3,637

$1,019

Utah

$363,278,323

96,768

$3,754

$1,052

Virginia

$688,860,396

179,038

$3,848

$1,079

Virgin Islands

$2,713,847

735

$3,694

$1,035

Vermont

$71,101,710

18,156

$3,916

$1,098

Washington

$391,091,512

104,863

$3,730

$1,045

Wisconsin

$591,341,448

159,147

$3,716

$1,042

West Virginia

$224,318,539

67,088

$3,344

$937

Wyoming

$29,106,360

8,258

$3,525

$988

Total (Unduplicated Count)

$28,930,036,778

7,200,000

$4,018

$1,126

Source: U.S. Department of Education analysis.  Assumes a student who borrows the state average amount of subsidized loans in the 2013-14 academic year and repays the loans over the expected period of 12 years.

The President’s Plan to Keep Student Loans Affordable

Lower Interest Rates Now: Under the President’s plan, nearly 11 million borrowers will see their interest rates decrease on new loans after July 1, 2013, compared to current law. Over 7 million Subsidized Stafford loan borrowers will see their rates on new loans drop below the current reduced rate of 3.4 percent to a projected 2.9 percent.  Over 8.5 million Unsubsidized Stafford borrowers will see their rates drop on new loans from 6.8 percent to 4.9 percent.  And over 1 million GradPLUS and Parent PLUS borrowers will see their rates on new loans drop from 7.9 percent to 5.9 percent—the first reduction in such rates since rates increased in 2006. 

More Affordable Repayment Options: Additionally, the President is proposing extending his Pay As You Earn (PAYE) loan repayment plan to all student borrowers to provide an insurance policy against unmanageable federal student loan debt. Previously, the plan was available only to new borrowers.  Under the President’s expanded PAYE plan, all student borrowers are assured that their federal student loan payments will never exceed 10 percent of their discretionary income. 

A Fiscally Responsible Solution:  The President’s plan is cost-neutral and will keep the federal student loan programs on secure footing for the future.  It also ensures we have the necessary resources available to keep investing in other critical higher education programs such as the Pell grant program and the Perkins loan program, as well as to make targeted investments in postsecondary education that facilitate college completion, assure continued state support, pave the way for high-quality, cost-effective educational opportunities.  These efforts combined will keep college affordable for students and families.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 29, 2013

Readout on the First-Ever White House Hispanic Business Leaders’ Forum

WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, May 29th, the White House convened the nation’s top Hispanic business leaders from across the country for the first-ever Hispanic Business Leaders’ Forum. The event, held in conjunction with the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), focused on jobs and the economy. It engaged representatives from the private sector with top-level Administration officials in robust dialogue about the most pressing issues affecting American businesses and how to collaborate more effectively to foster economic competiveness, particularly in Latino communities.

The day-long event included panels with senior Administration officials discussing the economy, innovation and entrepreneurship, health care, federal contracting and commonsense immigration reform.  Around 80 top Hispanic business leaders attended the Forum, from a range of industries, many are from Fortune 500 firms or top professional firms, and the next generation of high-growth entrepreneurs.

Senior Obama Administration officials that presented at the Forum included Treasury Secretary Jacob L. Lew, Cecilia Muñoz, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council,  Todd Park, U.S. Chief Technology Officer and Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs.

On the significance of holding the Forum in her opening remarks, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs Valerie Jarrett said: “To compete in today’s economy, we must draw from the talents, perspectives, and leadership of every community in our country. Today’s inaugural White House Hispanic Business Leaders’ Forum is a key part of making this a reality.”

During an Economic Overview at the Forum, Treasury Secretary Lew underscored that “Our economy is stronger today because our businesses are doing what they do best—innovating, expanding and hiring,” Treasury Secretary Lew continued “With the number of Hispanic-owned businesses growing at twice the national average, the Hispanic community is playing a critical role in the recovery.  But as the business and community leaders I met with today agreed, we must do more to strengthen the middle class so that more Americans can get back to work and more businesses can succeed. Our top priority as a nation has to be growing the economy and creating good jobs in the United States.”

Later at the Forum, during a panel on Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Open Data, Assistant to the President and US Chief Technology Officer Todd Park highlighted that “The Administration is undertaking all kinds of actions in support of technological innovation -- including making government information freely available to the public to fuel tech entrepreneurship and collaborating with educators, the private sector, and others to help connect all youth to tech skills and opportunity.” 

The White House looks forward to continuing these discussions with the Hispanic business leaders who attended today’s Forum. In closing Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Cecilia Muñoz emphasized that “Today’s Forum highlights the critical role that Hispanic business leaders play in shaping economic growth and in fixing our broken immigration system to ensure that everyone plays by the same rules.” She added, “These business leaders know firsthand that commonsense, comprehensive immigration reform is good for our economy and positions America to continue to lead in the 21st century.”

Javier Palomarez President and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) who co-convened the business Forum, stated: "The USHCC is honored to have collaborated with the White House in convening some of the nation's top Hispanic business leaders in this historic gathering to discuss pressing economic issues affecting all American businesses. The Hispanic business community is proud to be a source of innovation, job creation and economic development for our nation. The USHCC looks forward to a continued partnership with the Administration in ensuring the contributions of the more than 3 million Hispanic businesses.”

Some of the top Hispanic business leaders who participated in the Forum included:

  • Linda Alvarado, President and CEO, Alvarado Construction. Linda is also the owner of the Colorado Rockies baseball team, and is on the board of 3M. She made history as the first Hispanic owner of a major league sports franchise.
  •  Martin Cabrera, President and CEO of Cabrera Capital Markets, one of the largest Hispanic-owned financial services firms in the United States.
  • Kimberly Casiano, Board Member, Ford Motor Company. In addition to her work with Ford, Casiano is COO and President of Casiano Communications which is the largest Hispanic-owned publisher in the US.
  • Andrés Gluski, President and CEO, AES Corporation, global power company
  • Monica C. Lozano is Chief Executive Officer of Impremedia, LLC, and Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of La Opinión, the largest Spanish-language newspaper in the United States.
  • Javier Palomarez is the President and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce  (USHCC). The USHCC actively promotes the economic growth, development and interests of more than 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses, that combined, contribute over $465 billion annually to the American economy.

 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 29, 2013

President Obama Signs North Dakota Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of North Dakota and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by flooding during the period of April 22 to May 16, 2013.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the flooding in the counties of Benson,  Bottineau,  Cass,  Cavalier,  Eddy,  Foster,  McHenry,  Pembina,  Ramsey,  Renville, Richland,  Rolette,  Towner,  Traill,  Walsh, and  Wells and the Spirit Lake Reservation.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and Tribes within the state.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Gary R. Stanley as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. 

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 29, 2013

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil

The President and First Lady will host Dilma Rousseff, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, for an official State Visit with a State Dinner at the White House on October 23.  This visit follows the visit of President Rousseff to Washington in April 2012, President Obama’s visit to Brasilia in March 2011, Vice President Biden’s May 2013 visit to Brasilia, and will allow the two leaders to continue developing and strengthening the strategic partnership between the United States and Brazil.

During President Rousseff's visit, the two leaders will highlight the importance of expanding dialogue and cooperation between the United States and Brazil on a growing number of bilateral, regional, and global issues, as well as the deep cultural ties and friendship that exist between the peoples of our two countries. The President looks forward to welcoming President Rousseff back to Washington and working with her to advance our increasingly common interests as two hemispheric and global partners.

Further details about the visit will be provided in the coming months. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 28, 2013

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of NATO Secretary General Rasmussen

On Friday, May 31, President Obama will welcome NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen to the White House.  As the most successful alliance in history, NATO lies at the heart of the transatlantic relationship, serving as the bedrock for building shared approaches to the security challenges we share with our 27 NATO allies.  The President looks forward to discussing global and regional security concerns with the Secretary General, to include ending the war in Afghanistan while building an enduring partnership with the Afghan government; sustaining and improving allied defense capabilities and transatlantic burden sharing; and further enhancing NATO’s network of capable partners. 

The Secretary General’s visit underscores the vital importance the United States places on the North Atlantic Alliance and our relationship with Europe, and our common commitment to tackle challenges from Afghanistan to the Balkans to the Indian Ocean together. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 28, 2013

Alan Krueger, Chairman of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, to Return to Princeton University

WASHINGTON -- Alan Krueger, Chairman of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), announced his plans to return to his position as Bendheim Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University. He will return to Princeton in time for the upcoming school year. 

President Obama said, “Over the past two years, Alan has been one of my most trusted advisers on economic policy and a great friend.  I asked Alan to lead my Council of Economic Advisers because he understands the economy better than almost anyone, but more importantly, he understands who we’re fighting for – middle-class families and anyone working to climb into the middle class.  Alan was the driving force behind many of the economic policies that I have proposed that will grow our economy and create middle-class jobs.  He’s devoted his entire career to making sure our economy works for everyone, not just those at the very top.  And while we have more work to do, today our economy is improving – thanks, in no small part, to Alan’s efforts. I want to thank Alan for his service and wish him the best of luck as he returns to Princeton.”

Chairman Krueger said, “I am deeply grateful to President Obama for the opportunity to serve twice in this Administration, and for the chance to do what I could to help the Nation recover from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and put policies in place that create good jobs and help reignite a rising, thriving middle class.  It has been one of the highest privileges of my life to serve the American people.”

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 28, 2013

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on the National Security Advisor’s Trip to China

National Security Advisor Tom Donilon travelled to Beijing May 26-28 to advance preparations for the upcoming meeting between President Obama and President Xi Jinping in California in early June. Mr. Donilon had constructive and broad-ranging meetings with senior Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping, Vice Premier Wang Yang,  State Councilor Yang Jiechi, National Development and Reform Commission Vice Chairman Liu He and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.  Mr. Donilon also had a productive discussion with General Fan Changlong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission.    

Mr. Donilon underscored that the upcoming meeting in California is a unique and important opportunity for in-depth and wide-ranging discussions about U.S.-China relations as well as the many regional and global challenges confronting both countries. He highlighted the importance of the two leaders discussing the perceptions, interests and priorities guiding each other’s approach to bilateral, regional and global affairs. In his discussions with senior Chinese officials, Mr. Donilon emphasized the need for further cooperation in addressing such issues as North Korea, cyber-security, climate change,  stability in Asia as well as expanding  bilateral military ties.  Mr. Donilon stressed the need for further coordination on advancing the global economy and bilateral economic relations, as well as the importance of continued dialogue on human rights. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 28, 2013

FACT SHEET: United States Support for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative

Today, Vice President Biden met with the Prime Ministers, Presidents, and senior ministry personnel from 15 Caribbean nations in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, where they discussed our comprehensive regional partnership to improve citizen security in the Caribbean.

Working together in support of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), the United States and the nations of the Caribbean are combating the drug trade and other transnational crimes that threaten regional security.  This partnership fulfills the commitment to deepen regional security cooperation that President Barack Obama made at the 2009 Summit of the Americas.  CBSI is part of an integrated citizen security effort that includes the Merida Initiative in Mexico, the Central America Regional Security Initiative, and the Colombia Strategic Development Initiative.  The United States, CARICOM member nations, and the Dominican Republic are improving citizen safety throughout the Caribbean by working together to:

  • Substantially reduce illicit trafficking,
  • Increase public safety and security, and
  • Promote social justice.

CBSI partner nations have collectively identified priorities for cooperation, including: building a regional information sharing network, improving maritime interdiction coordination, developing regional training capacity, implementing prisons/corrections reforms, improving asset sustainment and maintenance practices, and addressing illicit firearms trafficking.  Effective solutions to these challenges will require a sustained commitment from all CBSI partners, as well as the assistance of other international donors. 

The United States committed $203 million in funding for the first three years of the initiative.  This contribution to CBSI includes assistance in the following areas, all developed through the CBSI cooperative dialogue process:

Maritime and Aerial Security Cooperation:   Support regional maritime and aerial coordination by improving radar coverage in strategic locations and sharing radar information.  Provide equipment and training that will enable Caribbean governments to carry out maritime and aerial operations to identify and respond to threats, engage in effective end game operations, and sustain those capabilities with reliability and regularity.

Law Enforcement Capacity Building:  Enhance law enforcement effectiveness through police professionalization, anti-corruption training, community-based policing, and sharing regional ballistics and fingerprint information. 

Border/Port Security and Firearms Interdiction:  Provide technical support, technology upgrades, and training on techniques for intercepting smuggled narcotics, weapons, bulk cash, and other contraband at commercial airports and seaports, to include the enhancement of strategic trade controls through training to strengthen border security capabilities.

Youth Development/Crime Prevention:  Improve academic opportunities and prepare at-risk youth for entry into the workforce.   Develop capacity to build sustainable youth development systems, providing professional development and life skills, strengthening second-chance institutions, and supporting entrepreneurship opportunities. 

A solid partnership, borne of our annual CBSI Dialogue and effective cooperation with Caribbean partners in the field, has begun to produce results.  The December 2012 meeting in Trinidad and Tobago of CBSI’s steering body reinforced regional commitment to information sharing and deployment of national resources, linchpins to the Initiative’s long term success.  In addition, we can point to the following CBSI accomplishments over the last year as indicators of tangible results:

  • CBSI support contributed to several contraband interdictions, resulting in high levels of seizures and eradication efforts over the last few months in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, and the Eastern Caribbean.  Homicides are also down as a result of successful CBSI-supported counter trafficking efforts and combating other crimes in the region.  St. Kitts and Nevis, which once had one of the highest per capita rates of homicides in the hemisphere, now boasts a reduction in homicides by more than 50 per cent from 2011 to 2012 and a 30 per cent reduction for the first quarter of 2013 alone.
  • CBSI assistance helped the region adopt new legislation, criminal codes, and evidence-gathering guidelines, so prosecutors can more effectively manage high caseloads.  In addition, we worked together to found the first regional organization for prosecutors, which will promote information sharing and prosecutorial standards in 16 countries.  In St. Lucia, a model “Prosecution Witness Charter” teaches regional police and prosecutors about witnesses’ rights and protections.  We are also building capacity among investigators and prosecutors to target criminal asset forfeiture and financial crimes. 
  • With the assistance of CBSI and CARICOM's Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), intelligence sharing has contributed to several arrests and prosecutions across the region, as well as significant seizures of drugs and weapons.
  • CBSI has supported anti-corruption training for over 1,300 anti-corruption investigators and other law enforcement officials, resulting in the arrests and prosecutions of police officers suspected of corruption, money laundering, and other financial crimes.  In Jamaica alone, there has been a 24 % increase in prosecutions for corruption since 2010, successfully removing corrupt law enforcement and other government officials.  CBSI assistance has also resulted in 100 arrests and the seizure of over 120 vehicles, hundreds of computers and cell phones, and tens of millions of dollars from lotto scam operations. 
  • CBSI has also focused on the empowerment of the region’s young people.  To date, more than 23,000 young people have participated in CBSI programs in education and workforce development across the Caribbean, diverting them from crime, gangs and prisons.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 28, 2013

FACT SHEET: United States Support for Economic Growth and Development in the Caribbean

In his meeting today with 15 Presidents, Prime Ministers and other senior ministry officials from the Caribbean region, Vice President Biden discussed the United States’ commitment to deepening economic collaboration and expanding prosperity and social inclusion in the region.  The leaders also discussed citizen security cooperation and the importance of building safe communities that contribute to a favorable business and investment climate.   

The United States supports the region’s economic growth and social inclusion efforts through multiple, complementary programs that contribute to: building strong, capable and transparent institutions; facilitating trade and creating favorable business and investment climates; expanding access to reliable, clean, and affordable energy; and investing in human capital so that citizens are prepared to contribute to the development of their communities.

During his visit to Trinidad and Tobago, Vice President Biden signed the United States – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) on behalf of the United States.  President Martelly of Haiti, serving in his capacity as Chair of CARICOM, signed on behalf of the 15 member states.  The Agreement provides a strategic framework and principles for dialogue on trade and investment issues of mutual interest.  The TIFA establishes the United States – CARICOM Trade and Investment Council that will guide implementation of the Agreement.

During bilateral meetings between Vice President Biden and Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago, the two leaders discussed a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance cooperation on the scientific, technical, and policy aspects of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies.  The MOU establishes a Renewable Energy Research Centre to promote the rapid deployment of critical technologies for renewable energy and energy efficiency deployment in the Caribbean. 

Other examples of U.S. economic and development activities in the Caribbean include:

Facilitating Trade and Creating Favorable Business and Investment Climates: 

  • In 2012, U.S. imports from Caribbean countries under the Caribbean Basin Initiative totaled more than $11 billion, representing a 178 percent increase over the past decade.  U.S. exports equaled nearly $12 billion, representing a 133 percent increase over the past decade.
  • In 2012, the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) committed more than $44 million in loans and guarantees that supported an energy project off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago and a solar power generation system in Barbados.
  • The Organization of American States and the University of Texas at San Antonio, with funding from the State Department, are supporting the adaptation of the U.S. Small Business Center model in five Caribbean countries, which includes Belize, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Barbados, and Dominica.  Institutions that support small and medium enterprises will be strengthened in order to provide better services to SMEs with the objective to generate more jobs in the Caribbean and facilitate greater regional trade, including with the U.S. and Latin America.
  • The United States has concluded Open Skies Air Transport Agreements with six CARICOM members.  Open Skies agreements greatly increase options for airlines, passengers, and shippers and help promote increased travel and trade, enhance productivity, and spur high-quality job opportunities and economic growth. 

Expanding Access to Reliable, Clean, and Affordable Energy:

  • Under the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA), the Department of Energy is engaging the Caribbean hotel and hospitality sector to shape a greener energy market by embracing energy efficient and renewable energy technology solutions and supporting government efforts to advance clean energy policies.
  • Connecting the Americas 2022, an ECPA initiative, has supported Ministerial-level public/private dialogues for reducing Caribbean dependency on imported fossil fuels for power generation, which contributes to the Caribbean paying among the world’s highest electricity prices.  Donors have funded six analytical and pre-feasibility studies exploring the commercial and technical viability of inter-island interconnections that could facilitate renewable energy development, particularly geothermal in the Eastern Caribbean.  State’s Power Sector Program will provide technical assistance to advance geothermal and inter-island connections in the Caribbean and is in discussions with Caribbean officials regarding specific areas of technical cooperation in support of Connect 2022.  Leaders will next meet during the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum in October 2013 to discuss potential gas and renewables expansion.
  • The State Department in partnership with Purdue University, also under ECPA, is collaborating with Partners of the Americas and the University of the West Indies to develop solar energy demonstration projects and a business plan competition to support further development of solar technologies in the Caribbean.
  • The Organization of American States (OAS), with funding from the State Department, has worked in six Caribbean countries to support renewable energy demonstration projects, technical assistance toward energy policy implementation, and a feasibility study on possible electricity interconnection between St. Kitts and Nevis and Puerto Rico, a U.S. commonwealth.  Participating countries include Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and St. Kitts & Nevis.

Building Strong, Capable and Transparent Institutions: 

  • The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is implementing numerous public sector budget transparency, budget execution and tax administration initiatives in Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica.  In Jamaica, USAID partnered with the Customs Department and Tax Administration on programs that have reduced drug trafficker’s abilities to move money and contraband through the region.
  • Treasury provides technical experts in tax administration, debt and financial management that are embedded in relevant finance ministries. There are currently 10 advisors in the Caribbean.
  • From 2009-2013, the Department of Agriculture sponsored 75 Cochran Fellows from the Caribbean (including the Dominican Republic) offering training in areas such as food safety, laboratory procedures, and animal health.
  • Department of Labor assists Haitian apparel producers in complying with national and international labor standards so that they remain eligible for tariff benefits under U.S. preferential trade programs.  A component of this project focuses on building the capacity of Haiti’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs so that this institution can more effectively carry out its role in enforcing labor law and advising producers and foreign investors on applicable legal frameworks for operating businesses in Haiti.

Investing in Human Capital:

  • The Inter-American Foundation’s active portfolio in the Caribbean comprises 21 grants, with the IAF’s investment leveraging an equal amount of funding from grantees and other partners. Grants support human capital and citizen-led initiatives in communities in Haiti, Belize, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic in the areas of crop diversification, sustainable agricultural practices, and education for vulnerable populations.
  • The State Department, in a partnership with the OAS, supports The Inter-American Social Protection Network, which enables countries to share pioneering social protection strategies to fight poverty and strengthen safety nets for their most vulnerable and indigent citizens. 
  • USAID is supporting early grade reading, vocational training for at-risk youth in the Dominican Republic, Eastern Caribbean, and Jamaica, and disaster risk reduction activities throughout the Caribbean that are aimed at saving lives, alleviating human suffering and reducing the social and economic impacts of natural disasters.
  • On May 14, the Department of Labor announced a new competitive solicitation for a $10 million cooperative agreement for a project in the Dominican Republic that aims to support the Dominican Republic’s efforts to reduce child labor and improve working conditions in the agricultural sector, including in the sugarcane sector and in production supply chains.
  • The Department of Labor is also supporting research and capacity building activities to address child labor in over 40 countries, including the Dominican Republic and Haiti, as part of a four-year, $15 million project with the ILO.
  • Peace Corps volunteers in ten countries in the Western Hemisphere, including the Dominican Republic and Suriname, train volunteers and community partners on climate change, natural resource management, energy efficiency, and renewable energy technologies, as well as mitigation and adaptation to climate change.  To date over 8,000 citizens in the region have directly benefited from Peace Corps volunteers.