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Document Approved by the FTAA Trade Negotiations Committee

Derestricted
FTAA.TNC/26
November 21, 2003

Original: English-Spanish
Translation: FTAA Secretariat

FTAA - TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE

ELEMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE EVALUATION OF THE CANDIDATE SITES FOR THE FTAA SECRETARIAT

Candidate cities are invited to provide information responsive to the elements set forth below for consideration by Ministers in their evaluation of sites for the FTAA Permanent Secretariat by March 1, 2004. Information should be provided to the TNC Co-Chairs as follows:

To the Co-Chairs: Ambassador Peter F. Allgeier
tnc-cnc@ustr.gov
Ambassador Adhemar G. Bahadian
cnc-tnc@mre.gov.br
To the Co-Chair's Assistants: Ms. Karen Lezny
klezny@ustr.gov
Mr. João Marcos Paes Leme
cnc-tnc@mre.gov.br
To the Administrative Secretariat: Mrs. Amanda Fernandez Pujol
document@ftaa-alca.com
 

Information should be submitted electronically if possible.

With respect to sections I and II, please provide the following information:

I. TRANSPORTATION

A. Air Transportation

  • Current cost in U.S. dollars of an unrestricted economy roundtrip ticket, on the most direct route, from each FTAA national capital to the city proposed to host the FTAA Permanent Secretariat.
  • Number of daily and weekly non-stop and one stop-over flights per week from each FTAA national capital to the city proposed to host the FTAA Permanent Secretariat.

  • Approximate travel time associated with flight options from each FTAA national capital to the city proposed to host the FTAA Permanent Secretariat.

B. Ground Transportation

  • Cost, time, distance in kilometers, and frequency by mode (taxi, bus, train) of transportation from the airport to the city center.

  • Taxi cost per kilometer/mile.

II. LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

A. Hotel Accommodations

  • Number and cost of a standard room at 3 and 5 star hotels within 5 kilometers of the city center during high and low seasons.

B. Telecommunications

  • Availability and average cost of high speed internet services (e.g., T1 or E1 line), cell phones and telephone lines.

C. Security

  • Statistics on major crimes per 100,000 inhabitants.
  • Security and natural disaster preventive measures for the Secretariat headquarters, staff and delegates.

D. Human Resources

  • Number of locally available interpreters and translators, into English, Spanish, Portuguese and French (including those specialized in legal interpretation and translation), that are professionally qualified and knowledgeable of FTAA terminology.

E. Quality of Life

  • Information on the quality of life and cost of living in the city proposed to host the FTAA Permanent Secretariat, including, but not limited to: health/medical, religious, educational and financial institutions, tourism, culture and recreation.

F. Diplomatic missions from FTAA countries (Embassy and/ or Consulate)

G. Migration Issues

  • Entry and exit formalities including visas and departure taxes (in U.S. dollars) for diplomatic, official, and regular passport holders.

H. Financial and Other Resources

  • Commitments that the host government is willing to assume concerning the financing of costs of the FTAA Permanent Secretariat, in cash, kind or both.

  • Other commitments that the government, at its different levels, is willing to assume vis-à-vis the installation and operation of the FTAA Permanent Secretariat.

Under Section III, the cities that are proposing to host the FTAA Permanent Secretariat site should elaborate in detail their plans or commitments in relation to the following:

III. ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS

  • Liaison office between the FTAA Permanent Secretariat and local and/or federal authorities.

  • Headquarters Agreement to determine the legal status of the FTAA Permanent Secretariat and its staff, including privileges and immunities.

  • Entry and exit formalities such as visa requirements for delegates and contract staff (interpreters and translators) of the FTAA Permanent Secretariat.

  • Other commitments or additional information of relevance for consideration by Ministers in their deliberations.

 
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