Rebuilding Central America Is Seminar Topic

U.S. officials will conduct a seminar today at the region’s first U.S. Central America Trade Expo for businesses interested in participating in government-subsidized reconstruction of Central America, parts of which were devastated last fall by Hurricane Mitch. The expo, which continues through Tuesday at the Los Angeles Convention Center, is organized by the Central American Chambers of Commerce in Los Angeles. It aims to boost trade with a region that experts say remains largely untapped, although California exports have recently increased. Expo organizers hope to draw companies interested in distributing Central American products such as food, liquor, coffee, apparel and leather goods. High-level government officials and businesses from most of the Central American nations will be attending the event, which is sponsored by the cities of Los Angeles and Lynwood.