Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 100
CHAPTER 172
Relative to relations with El Salvador.
[
Approved by
Governor
September 11, 2014.
Filed with
Secretary of State
September 11, 2014.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 100, Alejo.
Relations with El Salvador.
This measure would encourage the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to work in coordination with the Legislature to develop comprehensive trade promotion and foreign investment activities that encourage stronger economic ties with El Salvador.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
YES WHEREAS, California is currently the eighth largest economy in the world and depends on international trade, which can be enhanced by the economic development of foreign trade partners; and
WHEREAS, More than 4.4 million jobs in California depend on international trade, with trade-related employment being one of the strongest growing and well-paying labor sectors in the state; and
WHEREAS, El Salvador has an emerging global economy with close cultural and demographic ties to California, providing the state a unique opportunity to engage in binational economic development activities; and
WHEREAS, Salvadoran-Americans constitute the second largest Latino community in California, totaling over one million throughout the state and 6 percent of all immigrants nationwide; and
WHEREAS, Salvadoran-American workers in California support our economy with indispensable labor, which in turn provides remittances to families in El Salvador, totaling 16.7 percent of El Salvador’s gross domestic product in 2012, the largest percentage in any Latin American country; and
WHEREAS, The United States prospered from a $731 million trade surplus with El Salvador in 2013; and
WHEREAS, El Salvador and California would both benefit from increased trade, investment, tourism, and business partnerships; and
WHEREAS, The United States dollar is used as a medium of exchange in El Salvador, which encourages the United States to import and export goods and services; and
WHEREAS, President Barack Obama initiated the Presidential Policy Directive on Global Development in 2010, which identified El Salvador as one of four select countries chosen for increased foreign investment based on their track record of partnering with the United States, policy performance, and the potential for continued economic growth; and
WHEREAS, In September 2013, the United States awarded El Salvador a $277 million grant to improve El Salvador’s competitiveness and productivity in international markets; and
WHEREAS, Currently, the World Bank lending portfolio in El Salvador comprises $290 million in commitments for projects including training services and job placement for poor people in urban areas, increasing access to the labor market, strengthening local governments, and improving public education; and
WHEREAS, The Legislature recognizes the potential for mutually beneficial gains resulting from El Salvador’s economic development and is committed to encouraging exchanges with El Salvador in order to promote better economic ties through means including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(a) Supporting economic development activities of the Salvadoran foreign consulate trade officials located in California to establish partnerships to serve as platforms for expanding California exports and promoting California as a destination for investment.
(b) Developing a series of export-related seminars and webinars on best exporting practices, protecting intellectual property rights, and utilizing the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
(GO-Biz) support services and other related topics.
(c) Hosting incoming Salvadoran delegations in order to promote Californian products and services, encourage foreign investment, and expand economic exchange.
(d) Facilitating trade missions to El Salvador to promote California products and services in prioritized industries; and
WHEREAS, El Salvador is also committed to pursuing mutually beneficial economic activities with California; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California encourages Go-Biz to work in coordination with the Legislature to develop and implement comprehensive trade promotion and foreign investment activities that encourage stronger economic ties with El Salvador. These activities will identify opportunities to work with El Salvador and Salvadoran businesses to support California priority exports to El Salvador and Salvadoran investments in California; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President of El Salvador, President Barack Obama, and the Governor of California.