Special guest Hon. Bruce Golding, Prime Minister of Jamaica
More than 200 representatives from the public and private sector participate in the "International Forum on Caribbean Investment and Development," (IFCID); a comprehensive conference on business and economic development in the Caribbean.
The heads of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Luis Alberto Moreno and the Caribbean Central American Action (CCAA) Cornelius B. Prior Jr. inaugurated the event hosted by both institutions to discuss better ways for doing business in the Caribbean.
“The goal of this two day event is for the IDB to provide a platform for representatives of the public and private sector and non-government organizations to address issues of trade and access to finance,” said Luis Alberto Moreno. “We expect to identify potential investment opportunities in the Caribbean and to continue the dialogue between the IDB and the Caribbean countries on how we can strengthen our partnership in development.”
Distinguished participants include The Honorable Bruce Golding, Prime Minister of Jamaica; Dr. W. Warren Smith, President of the Caribbean Development Bank; U.S. Special Representative of the Global Partnership Initiative, Kris M. Balderston; the Minister of Tourism of St Lucia, Allen Chastenet; the Minister of Public Works of St. Kitts & Nevis, Earl Asim Martin; the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Executive Vice President, David Moloney; investor & philanthropist Michael Lee-Chin of Portland Private Equity; Gerard Johnson, IDB General Manager, Caribbean Country Department; and Agustin Aguerre, IDB Manager for Haiti.
The forum will feature a unique and comprehensive discussion on trade, investment, and financing in the countries of the Caribbean. Issues to be discussed include The U.S./Caribbean Partnership, The Future of Business and Trade Flows in the Caribbean, Canadian Perspectives on Fostering Sustainable Economic Growth, Investment and Trade Opportunities; Trade and Development; and Financing Growth in the Caribbean.
Special sessions will show new developments in investing and financing, including a panel on Impact Investment and a keynote presentation by Michael Lee-Chin. A special presentation on Compete Caribbean, a joint initiative of the IDB, the Canadian agency CIDA, and the United Kingdom’s Department of International Development (DFID), to support private sector development and competitiveness in 15 Caribbean countries, will be made by Jose Jorge Saavedra, head of the program.
The event includes a matchmaking component that will bring together participants for meetings with policy and/or business leaders, as well as with representatives from the IDB Group. There will also be opportunities to meet with banking and financial institutions to have direct discussions on financing options in the Caribbean.
On June 10th the forum will focus on issues specific to economic redevelopment and investment in Haiti. Topics to be covered include Programs for the Re-launching of Economic Growth, Building the Business Ecosystem in Haiti, Investment and Business in Haiti Today: Perception, Myth and Reality.