The American Vice President Kamala Harris announced new investment commitments from the private sector in Central America, as part of a plan that totals more than 1.2 billion dollars since it was launched in May to address the causes of migration.
On May 27, Harris launched a plan for businesses to engage in sustainably tackling migration through economic opportunities.
Among the initiatives presented on Monday are those of CARE International, Cargill, Butterfly Group, Parkdale Mills, PepsiCo, JDE Peet “s Y PriceSmart. In addition, Mastercard, Microsoft and Nespresso announced new projects in the region, in addition to those committed in May. As a result, the investment totals more than $ 1.2 billion.
Harris made the announcement at the closing of a virtual conference convened by the State Department, the US Chamber of Commerce and The Partnership for Central America, which attracted more than 1,300 business, government and civil society leaders.
Some of May’s initiatives are already paying off: Microsoft developed training centers in digital access and clean energy and trained more than 100,000 people in basic digital and technical skills. Nespresso works with more than 1,200 farms in Guatemala to improve their livelihoods, in addition to announcing its first supply of coffee from Honduras and El Salvador.
MasterCard negotiated and signed a memorandum of understanding to incorporate five million people from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras to the formal economy and help one million micro and small businesses to access management and payment systems in line.
According to the US Vice Presidency, the call to action pursues long-term development in six areas: a reform agenda, digital and financial inclusion, climate-smart agriculture and food security, climate adaptation and clean energy, education and workforce development. and, lastly, access to public health.
Washington’s strategy also includes the disbursement of government funds to strengthen democratic governance, combat corruption and improve security.
Between October 2020 and September 2021, The United States recorded 1.7 million illegal entries by its southwestern border.
US President Joe Biden has commissioned Kamala Harris to oversee efforts with Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico to eliminate the “roots” of the exodus north: extreme poverty, violence, corruption and the impact of climate change. .
Last Thursday, a trailer carrying overcrowded migrants trying to reach the United States collided with a wall in Mexico, allegedly due to speeding. The Mexican authorities count 55 dead and more than a hundred injured, mainly from Guatemala.
Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx