Enterprise Florida, the state's economic development group, has not always had the best timing.
Last year, the public-private partnership's trade mission to Spain came as the war with Iraq was looming. Its 2001 trip to Argentina came three years into a recession there. Now, on the third day of a four-day mission here, 150-some vendors from Florida hoping to strike a deal find a country whose currency, the peso, has shrunk in value by one-third.
A banking scandal that erupted in June has sent the economy of Florida's second-largest trading partner into turmoil and the nation's leadership uncertain. Even the vice president has joined a host of challengers seeking to unseat President Hipólito Mejía in May. But Florida officials, most notably Gov. Jeb Bush, have come here with a larger agenda than just bringing home more international business: They've come courting the Dominican Republic's support for making Miami the permanent administration of the Free Trade Area of the Americas.
Though just one of 34 countries that will make up the FTAA, the Dominican Republic, as the Caribbean's largest economy, is expected to hold large sway over its neighbors as the countries try to reach a consensus on a headquarters site. While the Dominicans' support might be expected - the United States, and Florida in particular, are significant trading partners - it's not yet been secured.
But it's a courtship for which Bush, fluent in Spanish and a former Miami businessman, appears to be well suited.
Pressed by local reporters Tuesday about why the state would see any prospects in a troubled economy, Bush was unfazed. Florida's commitment to improving trade relations with the Dominican Republic is long term, the governor responded in flawless Spanish as dozens of television cameras rolled.
``I believe this country will rebound,'' he said. ``It's only a matter of time.''
Such statements, trade experts say, can only help Miami's bid, particularly in the wake of the meltdown Sunday of the World Trade Organization talks in Mexico where Brazil led a coalition of less-developed countries angered at U.S. and European agricultural policies.
While the Dominican Republic did not join the walkout, some of its neighbors did.
``For the governor to choose to come here when the economy is down is a vote of confidence,'' said V. Manuel Rocha, a senior counsel for Steel, Hector & Davis and a former U.S. ambassador to Bolivia. ``It's very significant and won't be forgotten.''
Indeed, at lunch Tuesday, Bush announced that the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic, the business group that includes both Dominicans and Americans who do business in either country, wants the permanent secretariat in Miami.
And former Dominican President Leonel Fernández, who is seeking to be elected again in May, suggested Tuesday he would support Miami's efforts because it would inevitably benefit his country as well: ``There's no doubt that the future of the Dominican Republic's economy is an ability to integrate with the state of Florida's economy.''
But Dominican Vice President Milagros Ortiz Bosch, who met with Bush privately Tuesday, was far less forthcoming. While she praised the governor's manner and called his Spanish ``Perfect! He barely had an accent!,'' she deferred her perspective on Miami winning the secretariat to Mejía, who was on a trip to Spain.
``It is complex and a situation of political and foreign importance,'' said Bosch, who is also a candidate for president. ``We have to be careful.''
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