Caribbean Basin Initiative

In response to William Long’s article (Nov. 24) on the Caribbean Basin Initiative, I would like to expand on a few significant points that apparently were overlooked. Long failed to substantiate the true goals of the CBI program and therefore several of his conclusions were misconstrued.

The goal of the Caribbean Basin Initiative is to create a “win-win” relationship between the United States and Caribbean countries by encouraging the industrial and technological development of these countries through the participation of the U.S. private sector. The focus is on the substantial, long-term development of non-traditional industries--precisely those other than sugar, garment-making, etc., which were mention by Long as “key industries.” In light of this goal, Long’s comment regarding the U.S. cutback of sugar importation is clearly irrelevant to the CBI program.

Long also failed to mention the country of Costa Rica, which receives the second largest amount of U.S. funds in the world next to Israel. This is a little known fact, as is the fact that there are more than 40 major U.S. corporations actively doing business in Costa Rica alone, not to mention the other CBI countries. Costa Rica, for one, has benefited tremendously from an increase in technology transfer and foreign direct investment (even from countries other than the U.S.) which have come as a direct result of the Caribbean Basin Initiative.

Labor statistics will prove that offshore manufacturing saves U.S. jobs more often than it “replaces” them, as it often enables U.S. companies to remain competitive domestically.

As a professional intermediary between U.S. companies and companies in the Caribbean Basin region, I am well aware of the inherent difficulties and potential obstacles in doing business with these countries. But I am also aware of their great potential for growth and the tremendous success that several major U.S.-based multinationals are currently experiencing within the region.

KIMBERLY A. BENSON

Los Angeles