Puerto Rico has changed from an agricultural economy, based primarily on sugar, tobacco, and coffee products, to a thriving modern industrial and services-oriented economy. It boasts highly developed highways, ports and airports which allow quick movement of merchandise across and beyond the Island. This U.S. territory also has a state-of-art communication network. Moreover, its location in the Caribbean makes the country a perfect place to develop an even larger infrastructure for a trans-shipment port with its respective value-added zones. In terms of human capital, the Island continues to build a highly sophisticated and bilingual workforce, ready to face the continuous transformation of the economic environment.

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The private sector has developed in the country five clusters: pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical devices, communications and information technology, and health services.

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TASKS

Bastian was a guest of the Government of Puerto Rico on a week-long FAM trip focused on the major manufacturing, pharmaceutical and aviation industries thriving on the island. She was one of five global journalists, each representing national and/or global business publications. To gather her research materials, Bastian toured numerous business facilities where she interviewed top officials representing diverse companies, industries, government agencies and educational institutions.

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Personal highlights included attending a press conference held in honor of the journalists (Bastian enjoyed conversing with Governor Sila María Calderón Serra) broadcast by scores of TV/radio media; meeting the incoming Governor and the president of PR’s largest university at a private dinner (held at a seaside mansion); dining at the ultra-chic Laurel Kitchen Art Bar (located in the Puerto Rico Museum of Art, San Juan); and staying at the gorgeous ocean-side Rincon Beach Resort. 

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After the trip, Bastian wrote a feature story about Puerto Rico’s key industries for a national economic development publication. The piece talked about the investment opportunities for American firms considering an expansion or move to Puerto Rico.

 

SKILLS

Interviewing, writing, research, high-level meetings/interpersonal communications with govt./political reps.

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• Launch DEDC website

• Launch SBP website

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