PORTLAND – With Maine exports to the Caribbean Basin countries, including Central America, increasing 56 percent between 1998 and 2002, the Maine International Trade Center will highlight this region in its next seminar.

It is titled “Trade Opportunities in the Caribbean Basin.” The program is designed for Maine businesses looking to explore the Caribbean Basin as a trading region and identify the current and future potential markets for products or services. The seminar will be held from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, in Portland.

The program will provide an overview of the economic and trade climate in the Caribbean Basin, trade statistics and import/export trends, and important details on free trade agreements in the region, the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI).

Featured speakers include Roberto Escobar, consul for El Salvador; Susan Hupka, International Trade Administration, U.S. Dept. of Commerce (via video conference); and Gabriele Lamers, economist for FleetBank of Boston.

The program is part of the Citizens Bank Foundation International Trade Series and will be held at the MITC office at 511 Congress St., Portland. Cost to attend is $30 for MITC members and $60 for nonmembers. For more information or to register, contact Cheryl Rau at (207) 541-7455; e-mail: [email protected]); or visit http://www.mitc.com.