| By Kiana Wilburg reporting from Panama CityUSA President Barack Obama told some of his Presidential colleagues on Friday that part of the problem in dealing with violence is not combining strong security measures with transparency,Bryan Bickell Jersey, government accountability and a fair judicial system.These utterrances were made during a sit-down discussion and question and answer segment with Inter-American Development Bank officials,Stitched Canada NBA Jerseys, members of the business community across the world and other distinguished delegations at Hotel RIU in Panama City. The opening of the CEO Summit of the Americas was held there.Obama, during his remarks to the business community touched on the issue of governance and its relationship in providing solutions to deal with violence, a subject which was raised by Panamanian President Juan Varela.While it still remains a problem in many parts of the world, Obama said that “a lot of it has to do with lack of opportunity.”“But part of it also has to do with the difficulties of establishing strong security if we also are not combining that with transparency, with Government accountability, with a criminal justice system and a judicial system that is perceived as fair and legitimate.”The US President said that work has begun in that regard as he cited that the USA, Brazil and Mexico, are working on “an Open Government Partnership.” This Obama said, makes sure that records are available, and taxpayers understand how their government is spending their money, how contracts are granted and ensuring also that the laws are followed.He told his audience that this does not only give countries more tools to combat violence, but it also, “…makes investors a lot more interested in investing in a country,Cheap Jerseys, if they know what the rules are and they have certainty, and political risk is reduced.”The USA President said that the achievement of this would require Regional cooperation as opposed to the nations working independently on those matters.“The narco-traffickers don’t distinguish between borders…that means we can’t either. And fortunately, we have some outstanding partners who’ve been working together.“Panama is one of our best partners. (Mexican) President Peña Nieto has been doing outstanding work with us and seeing how we can coordinate more effectively. But issues of personal security,NFL Jerseys Authentic China, reducing corruption, governance – those are economic agendas. Those are not simply security agendas,” Obama stated.The USA President also alluded to his continued commitment towards improving trade between the States and the Latin American Hemisphere as he pointed to the increase in exports by 50 percent since he assumed office in 2009.Obama who seemed proud of this accomplishment , given that the nations were facing enormous, economic global challenges at the time,Jerseys NFL China, noted that the increase in trade is not only an indication of the recovery that was initiated,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, “…but also the continuing integration that’s going to be taking place in this hemisphere as part of a global process of integration.”He then pointed to some trends surrounding the growing trading market which he believes are inevitable. One he highlighted was technology. Obama expressed that “technology is going to be disruptive.”“But what’s important to recognize is that it’s not just companies like Apple and Google and Facebook that are being transformed by technology. Traditional industries are being changed as well. Small businesses are being changed as well. How we buy, sell, market, all that is shifting. And that’s not going to go away.He said too, that technology can become man’s friend. Obama then spoke briefly about a programme called “100,000 Strong” which seeks to improve the exchanges between students in Latin America and the United States.He said that companies can play an important role in ensuring this is achieved as he also believes that public-private partnerships will make these kinds of investments more effective.Another custom he believes the world leaders need to adapt is nations working together to improve infrastructure.“I came from SICA,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, the meeting of Central American leaders. Their energy costs are typically three times higher than what we pay in the United States. It’s a huge impediment to their development.“To the extent that we can create a single regional energy market, then the costs of production, of transmission, distribution of energy becomes cheaper for all the countries involved, and you get certain economies of scale.“And so part of what a Summit of the Americas can accomplish is to try to work on a regional basis around some key infrastructure projects that will help us all grow,” said Obama.He then spoke to the need for countries to close the widening gap between the rich and the poor. While this exists even as economies continue to grow, Obama said that this is not good for social stability, opportunity, and for business. |
