Microsoft, Mastercard join Kamala Harris's Central America strategy
Updated : 16:59
US Vice President Kamala Harris is set to meet top officials from 12 companies and groups including Microsoft, Mastercard and the World Economic Forum on Thursday to boost economic opportunity in Central America's Northern Triangle countries.
According to a White House official who spoke to Reuters, the meeting comes as part of a program that will be led by the US and aided by Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala to deal with the rising number of immigrants entering the US.
During the meeting on Thursday, Harris will urge businesses to make "new and significant commitments" to boost economic opportunities in the region.
The meeting will be attended by top executives from Chobani, Nestle's Nespresso unit, Bancolombia, Davivienda and Duolingo among others.
Non-profits Accion and Pro Mujer, along with the Tent Partnership for Refugees and Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health will also attend.
Companies are expected to announce measures that will support these efforts.
In particular, Microsoft has agreed to expand internet access to as many as three million people in the region by July 2022 and Nespresso plans a minimum regional investment of $150m by 2025
The strategy has also been funded by the US government. In April, Harris unveiled an additional $310m of US aid to Central America.