Several Caribbean trade and investment experts will be sharing their knowledge, insights and tips to help expand business horizons in the Caribbean as well as Florida. They will be involved in quality seminars and panel discussions at Central Florida’s First Caribbean American Business Expo and Conference in Orlando from June 1-3, 2006. These experts will share in-depth information on the issues and challenges business owners face while doing business between the Caribbean and the US.
Minister of State, Kerri Symmonds from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Barbados will be the keynote speaker for the opening seminar on Friday, June 02, 2006 at 8.30 a.m. He will conduct the seminar on Developing the Florida Caribbean Strategic Business Link, the theme for this year’s Business Expo and Conference. Mr. Ivor Carryl, Manager of CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) unit in Barbados will be one of the panelists examining how the Caribbean countries can take advantage of the new trade agreements and their proximity to the United States to increase their exports, as well as how the United States can maximize the benefits of the newly harmonized trade and investment regulations in the Caribbean under the new CARICOM Single Market Economy. (CSME).
Geoff DaSilva, CEO of Guyana Office for Investment (GO-INVEST) will be the keynote speaker at the second seminar on “Incentives for Developing the Caribbean Florida Strategic Business Link.” This forum will be chaired by Natasha Adderley from the Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation (BAIC) with several panelists providing information on Export working Capital, Export Import Bank Financing, and incentives such as Tax-holidays or duty free concessions for investors in the Caribbean.
Mr. Clarence F. Ellis, the Former Alternate Director of the World Bank is the keynote speaker for “Doing Business in the Caribbean and Florida- Understanding the regulations and requirements,” seminar. This forum will be chaired by the Honorable Edward Bushell, Consul General of Barbados. Camell Rhone, the CEO of CARICOM’s, Regional Organization of Standards and Quality will be on the panel offering practical information on current customs, trade, regulations and procedures and how to ensure conformity to prevent unnecessary delays. The panel will also address issues related to investment regulations, permitting and environmental impact.
All seminars have panelists and speakers representative of many areas of crucial interest when doing business across borders. “The Sea/Air links Between Florida and the Caribbean” seminar will discuss the constraints and possible solutions for a more efficient two-way shipment of goods, the capacity of the ports and the problems of complying with new security requirements as well as the issue of illegal drugs in shipments from the Caribbean and of illegal weapons in shipments from the United States. “The Immigration Laws and Business” seminar will discuss the options and strategies for obtaining both immigrant and non-immigrant business visas as well as investor visas. “The Financing Your New Business” seminar will discuss the importance of starting your business with the right business plan, management team, network and market to ensure success. “The Real Estate Seminar” will discuss purchasing property and affordably financing these purchases in Florida by foreign nationals as well as purchasing property in the Caribbean as a hedge against a cooling domestic real estate market.
For further information and registration, visit www.CaribAmericanExpo.com
The first Caribbean American Business Expo and conference will be held at the Central Florida Fair and Exposition Park (Fairgrounds) located at 4603 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, Fl 32808. The seminars will run from Friday, June 02- Saturday June 03, 2006.
Press Contact:
Carol Singh
(407)-491-9192
[email protected]
