Governor Kaine Meets with President of El Salvador

Press Release

Governor Kaine Meets with President of El Salvador

Governor Timothy M. Kaine today met with His Excellency Elias Antonio Saca, President of the Republic of El Salvador. The two discussed economic development and trade issues and the Virginia Salvadoran population's important contributions to the Commonwealth's culture and economy.

"I thank President Saca and his delegation for taking the time to meet with us today," Governor Kaine said. "Our continuing friendship can only enhance the relationship between the people and governments of El Salvador and Virginia. We celebrate the contribution Salvadorans have made to the economy and culture of the Commonwealth."

Virginia exports to El Salvador trended upward from $15.6 million in 2004 to $21.9 million in 2006. The country's 2007 top export commodity groups via Virginia were paper/paperboard ($5.58 million) and machinery ($3.88 million). El Salvador is committed to opening the economy to trade and investment, and has embarked on a wave of privatizations extending to telecom, electricity distribution, banking and pension funds.

"We thank Virginia Governor, Tim Kaine, for his time and receiving us in his office," said President Saca. "We've talked about issues of mutual interest for his government and for Salvadorans living in the Commonwealth. We've also talked about the contributions from Salvadorans, whose efforts strengthen the Commonwealth of Virginia and El Salvador's economy. We also want to thank and support Governor Kaine's efforts that benefit our community and the Commonwealth."

Virginia is home to one the largest concentrations of Salvadorans in the nation. According to the Salvadoran Consulate, of the estimated 550,000 Salvadorans in the DC-VA-MD Metropolitan area, 40 percent reside in Virginia. This has resulted in the establishment of significant numbers of businesses to serve the Salvadoran community in Virginia, such as banks, small stores and restaurants, media outlets, and other various goods and services. Examples of Salvadoran businesses in Virginia include Banco Agricola, one of El Salvador's largest banks, Todos Market in Woodbridge and Pollo Campero, a restaurant chain owned and operated by a Salvadoran.

The smallest country in Central America, the democratic Republic of El Salvador has the third largest economy and a population of nearly seven million residents.

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