Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) issued the following statement in response to the announcement from the United States Trade Representative's Office that a free trade agreement with four Central American countries has been reached.

The Central American countries reaching an agreement with the United States are: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. A fifth country, Costa Rica, has indicated that they must consult further with San Jose, their capital, and intend to continue a dialogue with trade negotiators with the hopes they can be included in the final agreement .

The agreement reached today in Washington comes after a tightly scheduled year of ambitious trade talks between the six countries.

"This agreement is a solid step forward and will help level the playing field for U.S. businesses competing to sell in Central America. It also offers new opportunities for Central American countries to increase their standard of living and lock-in impressive democratic advancements of the last decade," said Brady, a member of the Ways & Means Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"Enhanced trade with Central America means new jobs for America, especially for Texas and the Houston region," Brady further stated.

Central America is a proven trading partner. With a population equal to Canada, Central America already buys more U.S. goods than Russia, India and Indonesia combined. Over the years, according to the American Chamber of Commerce in Central America, for every dollar in products Central America sells to the United States, it buys back $1.36.

"We need more trading partners like Central America, especially in today's competitive global market. This accord balances the interests of six different countries and economies, the first of its kind to involve so many partnering nations. This achievement is a tribute to the hard work of Ambassador Zoellick, lead negotiator Regina K. Vargo and the team at USTR," Brady concluded.

Currently over 1,200 Houston companies have already established trade in Central America's growing market. More than $611 million in Central American cargo moves through the Port of Houston each year, and another $49 million in air cargo trade.

Congressman Brady, a deputy whip, has been charged with gathering Congressional support for the proposal since the President announced his intention to explore a FTA with Central America in January 2002. This final round of talks in Washington were preceded by a successful round in Houston last October. Congress must ratify this agreement before it can be submitted to the President to be signed into law.