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His remarks were delivered during a panel focused on "building sustainable economies" as part of an
event staged by the Caribbean-Central American Action (CCAA) titled: "Caribbean 2020
Implementing H.R. 4939 from Vision to Engagement."

Select members of the U.S. Congress addressed the audience of Caribbean Diaspora, diplomats and
public sector policy makers including the co-author of the legislation, Congressman Eliot Engel (D-
NY), Ranking Member, The House Foreign Affairs Committee; Congressman Jeff Duncan (R-SC),

Chairman, The Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere; Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-
TX), Ranking Member, The Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and
Investigations; and Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), Ranking Member, The Subcommittee on

the Interior, Energy, and Environment.

The Caribbean region is considered the United States' "third border," characterized by common

interests and societal ties that yield daily, tangible benefits for U.S. citizens. The U.S. is the
Caribbean's primary trading partner, representing a vibrant economic partnership that, in 2016, saw
a $4.6 billion trade surplus for the United States, 14 million U.S. tourist visits, and 11,042 Caribbean
students studying in the U.S.

CCAA organized the half-day event to move discussions along between the U.S. and key stakeholders
involved with the Caribbean region. The meeting began with a discussion of the Act followed by a
panel about "The Security Agenda" featuring discussions on the need for stronger regional

cooperation and public-private partnerships to advance citizen security. The second panel, "The
Prosperity Agenda" focused on the outlook for regional investment, building sustainable economies,
and finance and trade options. The final panel "The Well-Being Agenda," dedicated its discussions to

the health, education and future of the Caribbean."

During his presentation, Riley called for a balanced approach to the development of strategies and

policies that are designed to spur tourism growth while protecting the resource base on which
tourism depends.

He advocated for a sector-specific tourism approach that would provide the greatest effectiveness
and long-term sustainability which would be carried out with partnerships between the CTO and the
Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA).

http://curacaochronicle.com/tourism/caribbean-tourism-organization-calls-for-united-statescaribbean-
strategic-alliance-in-furtherance-of-u-s-caribbean-strategic-engagement-act/