CaribPR Wire

CARIBPR WIRE, Basseterre, St. Kitts, Fri. March 08, 2024: The Government of St Kitts and Nevis have ushered in a new era of investing through the “Investment Gateway Summit”, calling for its economic citizens to visit their home. Global investors and high-net-worth individuals (HWNIs) can explore endless opportunities whilst being hosted by the Government.

The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, along with his Government, extends a personal invitation to citizens and investors to attend the exclusive inaugural Investment Gateway Summit from 11 to 15 May 2024.

This significant event is an opportunity for Kittian and Nevisian citizens around the world to return home to discover how the twin-island federation is utilising economic diversification to advance developments and our citizens.

This personal invitation from Honourable Dr. Drew, is an experience not to be missed to learn about the Sustainable Island State Agenda from the Government and key speakers , while connecting and building with visionary leaders, global businesspeople, and economic citizens.

During the five-day Summit, economic citizens can engage and interact with national leaders and global experts. They can also explore the natural wonders the islands have to offer, with unique premium experiences to share with the world.

Please click here to secure your exclusive spot at the Investment Gateway Summit.

What to Expect from the Summit?

As an economic citizen, this will be your opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in various businesses and network with businesspeople.

Economic Citizens will have the opportunity to experience firsthand what initiatives St Kitts and Nevis are engaging in and the progress of each development.

Learn about St Kitts and Nevis’ economic outlook for 2024 and beyond in addition to understanding how economic diversification can inspire change. Investment-led projects in the twin-federation and how you can become part of these exciting developments will be presented.

Gain insights into the Sustainable Island State Agenda and why it is an essential element in the “Investment Gateway Summit” in May 2024.

The Sustainable Island State Agenda key focus is on seven pillars:

1. Food security

2. Green energy transition

3. Economic diversification

4. Developing the Creative Economy

5. Post-pandemic recovery

6. Attract and support sustainable organisations

7. Extend social protection and safety for vulnerable individuals

These seven pillars form part of the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC), which is an exciting new investment option under the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme.

The SISC is an opportunity to contribute to the development of a new nation. It’s a secure and sustainable option for savvy investors looking to make a strategic investment.

Collaborative sustainable development initiatives will nurture economic and community development and extend shared values of excellence.

“Connect, Collaborate and Celebrate” with Us

If you’re interested in promoting your brand, business services, or exploring sponsorship opportunities, feel free to leave a comment here along with your inquiry in the contact form. We’ll promptly respond with details on available packages.

Tickets are limited - make sure to get your early bird tickets!

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• St Kitts and Nevis

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Octavia McIntosh of ibex Jamaica to Join Panel Discussion

CARIBPR WIRE, KINGSTON, Jamaica, May 10, 2023: ibex (NASDAQ: IBEX), a leading global provider of business process outsourcing (BPO) and customer engagement technology solutions, today announced its sponsorship of the Outsource2Jamaica Conference 2023 in St. James, Jamaica, May 10-11, 2023. In addition, ibex Senior Director of Talent Acquisition Octavia McIntosh will participate in the Destination Dialogue Panel to discuss Jamaica’s potential as a hub for the global services sector.

“As a global leader and innovator in delivering customer experience (CX) solutions geared for the digital-first marketplace, we are pleased to sponsor the Outsource2Jamaica Conference and support the growing outsourcing sector on the island,” said Tamara Ricketts-Brown, VP of Operations and Jamaica Country Manager, ibex. “Jamaica has earned a place as one of the top markets for BPOs around the globe. ibex views Jamaica as an excellent outsourcing market based on its well-educated English-speaking talent pool, robust infrastructure, and stable government. We continue to invest in growing our operations in Jamaica, where we currently have six sites and more than 7,500 employees.”

The Outsource2Jamaica Conference and Exposition, which is the largest event focused on Jamaica’s Global Services Sector (GSS), is presented by the (GSAJ). GSAJ is the leading representative body serving the Information, Communications Technology, Logistics Outsourcing and Business Process Outsourcing (Contact Center) sectors in Jamaica.

The theme for this year’s Outsource2Jamaica is “Ahead of the Curve”. The program is designed to showcase the resilience, growth and determination of this sector, illustrate how members in Jamaica have grown and pivoted, and promote Jamaica as the leading English-speaking outsourcing hub of the Caribbean.

“ibex is a long-standing and proud member of the GSAJ and will continue to be a champion in the effort to grow the outsourcing industry in Jamaica and bring higher value CX services and support opportunities to the island,” added Ricketts-Brown.

For more information about Outsource2Jaim, please visit https://outsource2jamaica.com/.

About ibex
ibex delivers innovative business process outsourcing (BPO), smart digital marketing, online acquisition technology, and end-to-end customer engagement solutions to help companies acquire, engage, and retain valuable customers. Today, ibex operates a global CX delivery center model consisting of 34 operations facilities around the world, while deploying next-generation technology to drive superior customer experiences for many of the world’s leading companies across retail, e-commerce, healthcare, fintech, utilities and logistics.

ibex leverages its diverse global team of over 30,000 employees together with industry-leading technology, including its Wave X platform, to manage nearly 200 million critical customer interactions, adding over $2.2B in lifetime customer revenue each year and driving a truly differentiated customer experience. To learn more, visit our website at ibex.co and connect with us on LinkedIn.

iBEX auspicia Conferencia Outsource2Jamaica 2023

Octavia McIntosh de IBEX Jamaica se une al panel de debate

CARIBPR WIRE, KINGSTON, Jamaica, May 10, 2023: ibex (NASDAQ: IBEX), un proveedor líder mundial de outsourcing de procesos empresariales (BPO) y soluciones de tecnología de participación del cliente, anunció hoy su auspicio de la Conferencia Outsource2Jamaica 2023 en St. James, Jamaica, del 10 al 11 de mayo de 2023. Además, la directora sénior de adquisición de talento de ibex, Octavia McIntosh, participará en el panel de debate de destinos para abordar el potencial de Jamaica como centro para el sector de servicios globales.

“Como líder mundial e innovador en ofrecer soluciones de experiencia del cliente (CX) orientadas al mercado digital, nos complace auspiciar la Conferencia Outsource2Jamaica y apoyar el creciente sector de outsourcing en la isla”, dijo Tamara Ricketts-Brown, vicepresidenta de operaciones y gerente de país de Jamaica para ibex. “Jamaica obtuvo un lugar como uno de los principales mercados para BPO en todo el mundo. ibex percibe a Jamaica como es un excelente mercado de outsourcing basado en su grupo de talentos de habla inglesa y bien educados, infraestructura sólida y gobierno estable. Continuamos invirtiendo en el crecimiento de nuestras operaciones en Jamaica, donde actualmente tenemos seis localidades y más de 7,500 empleados”.

La Conferencia y Exposición Outsource2Jamaica, que es el mayor evento centrado en el Sector de Servicios Globales (GSS) de Jamaica, es presentada por el (GSAJ). GSAJ es el organismo representativo líder dedicado a servir a los sectores de información, tecnología de comunicaciones, outsourcing de logística y outsourcing de procesos empresariales (Centro de Contacto) en Jamaica.

El tema de Outsource2Jamaica de este año es “Ahead of the Curve” (adelantarse a los acontecimientos). El programa está diseñado para demostrar la resiliencia, crecimiento y determinación de este sector, ilustrar cómo los miembros en Jamaica han crecido y pivotado, y promover a Jamaica como el principal centro de externalización de habla inglesa del Caribe.

“IBEX es un miembro orgulloso y de larga tradición del GSAJ y continuará siendo un campeón en el esfuerzo por avanzar el sector de outsourcing en Jamaica y ofrecer servicios de CX de mayor valor y oportunidades de soporte a la isla”, agregó Ricketts-Brown.

Para más información acerca de Outsource2Jaim, visite https://outsource2jamaica.com/.

Acerca de ibex
ibex ofrece outsourcing de procesos de negocios (BPO) innovadores, marketing digital inteligente, tecnología de adquisición en línea y soluciones de participación del cliente de extremo a extremo para ayudar a las empresas en la adquisición, participación y retención de clientes valiosos. Hoy, ibex opera un modelo de centro de entrega de experiencia del cliente (CX) global que consiste de 34 instalaciones de operaciones en todo el mundo, al mismo tiempo que implementa tecnología de última generación para promover experiencias superiores para el cliente para muchas de las empresas líderes mundiales en los sectores minorista, comercio electrónico, atención médica, tecnología financiera (fintech), servicios públicos y logística.

ibex aprovecha su diverso equipo global de más de 30.000 empleados junto con tecnología líder en el sector, incluyendo su plataforma Wave X, para la gestión de cerca de 200 millones de interacciones críticas con clientes, añadiendo más de $2.2 mil millones en ingresos vitalicios de clientes cada año e impulsando una experiencia de cliente verdaderamente diferenciada. Para más información, visite nuestro sitio web ibex.co y conéctese con nosotros en LinkedIn.

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BEIJING, Nov. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — On November 9, China-Central and North America and Caribbean International Trade Digital Expo, hosted by the CCPIT-China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and jointly hosted by China Chamber of International Commerce, (CCOIC), and ZhongZhan Information Cooperation Data Service Company, opened online on the “CCPIT cloud exhibition platform.”

This exhibition takes Chinese enterprises as the main body, takes the needs of buyers in Central and North America and Caribbean region as the core, and uses the digital exhibition platform to provide enterprises with online negotiation opportunities and accurate matching services. It is expected that more than 10,000 buyers will visit and connect online. The exhibits cover Textile, Clothing and Xinjiang cotton products, Medical devices, Building materials and Hardware, Gifts and office supplies, Home appliances and Furniture, Consumer electronics and other fields. The exhibition also set up 14 exhibition areas, among which the “Chinese Brand” exhibition area highlights Chinese brand enterprises, products and services, and establishes a good image of Chinese Brands; In the “Service Trade” exhibition area, service trade enterprises are preferred, and efforts are made to promote “Chinese services” to go global and deeply integrate into the global industrial chain, value chain and logistics chain.

At present, the digital mode combining online and offline is becoming the new normal of the exhibition industry. The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) actively plans to continue to help Chinese enterprises “maintain orders” and “stabilize foreign trade” by relying on the accumulated experience in organizing digital exhibitions, and make full use of the platform advantages of the “CCPIT cloud Exhibition” to display China’s development achievements, the economic and trade cooperation between China and Central and North America and Caribbean region, while introducing the business environment in Central and North America and Caribbean, interpreting the relevant free trade agreements and the global economic and trade friction index and other important information. During the exhibition, six industry matchmaking meetings will be held, with the theme of textile clothing and Xinjiang cotton products, auto parts, hardware and building materials, consumer goods, household appliances and household appliances, and consumer electronics, to help Chinese enterprises further communicate online with politicians and businessmen in Central and North America and the Caribbean region. The exhibition period of this expo is 10 days and will end on November 18, 2022.

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MIAMI, Aug. 27, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Brazil’s Minister for Justice, Sérgio Moro, will give the keynote address at The OffshoreAlert Conference Latin America on Financial Intelligence & Investigations on September 16-17, 2019.

Tickets can be purchased now at oacbrazil.com, where you will also find details about our agenda and speakers.

Attendees will learn how to detect financial crime, recover hidden assets, obtain litigation funding to pursue claims, file whistleblowing claims, evaluate investment opportunities, and increase their chance of success in high-value, cross-border finance. Network with industry leaders in a stunning, five-star setting.

Moro is known internationally for his role as a judge overseeing bribery and corruption cases arising from Operação Lava Jato, a.k.a. Operation Car Wash, including the trial of Brazil’s former president Luís Inácio Lula da Silva.

He is part of a powerful and influential line-up of speakers that also includes Latin American Herald Tribune publisher Russ Dallen, Brazil’s Director of Asset Recovery & International Judicial Cooperation, Erika Marena; judges Paulo Furtado de Oliveira Filho and Moacyr Lobato de Campos Filho, prosecutors Vladimir Aras, Eronides Aparecido Rodrigues dos Santos, and Pedro Lupera Zerpa, politician Hugo Leal, whistleblower Jonathan Taylor, leading fraud and asset recovery attorneys, insolvency practitioners, journalists, and other experts on serious financial crime.

Sessions include:

• An Introduction To International Asset Recovery;
• Asset Recovery Latin America: Tips From The Experts;
• Litigation Funding: How to Get Your Multi-Million Dollar Claims Funded By Third Parties;
• How Latin American Whistleblowers Can Make Millions From US Whistleblowing Programs;
• Brazil’s Whistleblowing Laws: An Analysis of Existing & Proposed Legislation;
• The Emperor Has No Clothes: The Great Cryptocurrency Scam;
• Busting the Blockchain: How To Trace & Seize Virtual Assets & Evaluate Risk in a Pseudo-Anonymous World;
• Data Leaks: What The ICIJ’s Panama & Paradise Papers Revealed About Latin America;
• Corruption & Asset Recovery: The Brazilian Perspective;
• Allen Stanford: An Update for Latin American Victims;
• Bankruptcy Fraud in Brazil: The Duties of Trustees;
• Inside Venezuela: An Overview of Fraud & Corruption;
• Cross-Border Insolvencies: Chapter 15 & Latin American Equivalents;
• Investing in Distressed Assets & Legal Claims: What You Need To Know; and
• Corruption & Money Laundering in Brazil: Problems & Solutions.

The OffshoreAlert Conference Latin America will be held at the magnificent Palácio Tangará hotel in Sāo Paulo, Brazil, on September 16-17, 2019. Presentations will be simultaneously interpreted in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

About OffshoreAlert

Launched in 1997, Miami-based OffshoreAlert is the leading provider of investigative information about individuals and businesses operating in high-value, cross-border finance. We offer a subscription-based news and documents service at www.offshorealert.com and hold annual conferences on financial intelligence and investigations in Miami, Brazil, and London. OffshoreAlert has exposed more than 175 fraudulent schemes and helped prosecutors and regulators punish those responsible. FIFA’s top officials were exposed at our Miami Conference in 2010 – 5 years before they were indicted for corruption.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 29, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Tourism, food security, manufacturing, logistics, and renewable energy have been identified as high-potential areas where companies in the UAE and Caribbean region can expand economic cooperation, according to new analysis from Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The findings, released on sidelines of the first UAE-Caribbean Cooperation Forum in Dubai, revealed that the value of non-oil trade between Dubai and Caribbean countries totaled $273 million in 2017.

Bilateral non-oil trade was dominated by imports from the Caribbean which were valued at $183 million in 2017, while $90 million worth of exports contributed 33% to Dubai’s trade with the region.

Suriname ranked as Dubai’s top Caribbean trading partner in 2017, with bilateral non-oil trade valued at $113.8 million, accounting for 42% of the emirate’s trade with the region. Guyana ranked second with $52.1 million in bilateral trade, followed by Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago.

In addition, the findings revealed that the number of Caribbean companies registered with Dubai Chamber increased by 54% from 403 in 2013 to reach 621 in 2018.

Hamad Buamim, President & CEO of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted that the findings reflect the tremendous potential to boost bilateral trade and investment in the future as the UAE and Caribbean countries push ahead with plans to diversify their economies and explore business opportunities abroad.

“Dubai can serve as a global gateway for Caribbean exporters who are keen to broaden their horizons and access markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, while the Caribbean region is fast emerging as an attractive investment destination, providing plenty of advantages which UAE companies can benefit from,” added Buamim.

Held on November 24th-26th, the UAE-Caribbean Cooperation Forum was co-organised by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Economy and the UAE Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development.

Editor’s note

Established in 1965, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a non-profit public entity, whose mission is to represent, support and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai by creating a favourable business environment, supporting the development of business, and by promoting Dubai as an international business hub.

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(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/791444/HE_Hamad_Buamim.jpg )

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CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, May 19, 2017: The University of the Virgin Islands Research & Technology Park, (UVI RTPark), will celebrate Caribbean Week in New York and Caribbean American Heritage Month in the USA with a Big Apple VIP Investment Showcase Reception this June.

The event is set to introduce the opportunities of the RTPark program to business leaders and key members of the Caribbean Diaspora in New York and highlight the many advantages to doing business with the RTPark program and the US Virgin Islands.

The UVI RTPark program, established in 2002, is a specialist economic development agency that aims to successfully establish the U.S. Virgin Islands as a premier business destination of choice for firms in knowledge and technology intensive sectors. It gives many qualified entrepreneurs and business owners an opportunity to #WorkFromTheBeach by benefiting from generous tax incentives while they enjoy the lifestyle of an island paradise.

Investment projects that are focused on quality are screened for their likelihood of fit in the RTPark program. The priority sectors include bio-medical devices, personalized medicine applications, wellness and healthcare management, energy research and systems, including renewable and clean technology, energy efficiency, energy management and sustainability solutions, as well as firms that will draw on advances in marine science. The RTPark has also had success in attracting Internet advertising firms, technology-mediated entertainment companies and advanced logistics and supply-chain management firms and recently welcomed Intellectual Global Concepts LLC and Anvil 1 LLC as clients.

“The RT Park program is at a very exciting stage. Ten years after our first client, we have fine-tuned the application process and now offer impact investors a unique opportunity and have drawn twenty new companies to the Virgin Islands since 2015,” said RTPark executive director Dr. Gillian Marcelle. “Our recent clients are involved in projects that build the pipeline of skills in the US Virgin Islands and bring new ways of doing business to the Territory while the owners of these businesses enjoy living in an island Paradise.”

The RTPark program is headquartered in a US $13 million, LEED certified green two-storey, 18,000 square foot building near the main entrance of the University of the Virgin Islands, Albert A. Sheen campus just off of the Queen Mary highway, in St. Croix.

For more information about the UVI RTPark, call 340-692-4300, email [email protected].

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SOURCE: UVI RTPark

MEDIA CONTACT:

Felicia J. Persaud

[email protected]

718-476-3616

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Sign, Graphics and Visual Communications Franchisor Seeks Franchise Candidates throughout Florida and the Caribbean

CARROLLTON, Texas, Feb. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – FASTSIGNS International, Inc., franchisor of FASTSIGNS^®, the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise, announced today that it is attending and sponsoring at the National Business Media Show from Feb. 16 to 18, 2017 at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center. The company is recruiting franchisees, promoting expansion throughout the state of Florida and across the Caribbean, with a focus on targeting conversion and co-branded locations.

“With the increasingly high demand for visual communication needs worldwide, FASTSIGNS is looking to expand our presence throughout Florida and across the Caribbean,” said Mark Jameson, EVP of Franchise Support and Development, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “We look forward to utilizing our presence at the National Business Media Show in Fort Lauderdale to network with potential franchisees and discuss the impact that our brand has to offer business owners within the print and signage industry.”

Local entrepreneurs are invited to meet with the brand’s franchise development team at booth #2425 to learn more about conversion and co-branded location opportunities throughout the state of Florida and across the Caribbean. The fast-growing brand currently has 49 locations in Florida plus 7 in Development, three in Puerto Rico and one in Grand Cayman and recently signed a Master Agreement for expansion into the USVI and the Dominican Republic but is looking to expand with additional centers throughout Florida, with an emphasis on the Treasure Coast up to Jacksonville, as well as throughout the Caribbean Islands, including Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Due to the ongoing worldwide need for visual communications and digital signage technology, the company expects to open a projected 45 locations in 2017.

For information about the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity, contact Mark Jameson ([email protected] or 214-346-5679) or download an eBook that explores the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity at http://amzn.to/1FrnDJu.

About FASTSIGNS ^®
FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the largest sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of more than 650 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS^® centers in nine countries including the US, Canada, England, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Grand Cayman, Mexico and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE^®).

FASTSIGNS locations provide comprehensive sign and visual graphic solutions to help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, sell more products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points including décor, events, wearables and marketing materials. Learn more about sign and visual graphic solutions or find a location at fastsigns.com. Follow the brand on Twitter @FASTSIGNS, Facebook at facebook.com/FASTSIGNS or LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fastsigns.

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Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas called out to participants so that efforts be oriented towards consensus, focusing on what unites us.

Vargas will preside the plenary of the Conclave that will reunite delegations from over 59 countries.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Oct. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ – Dominican Republic has become the capital of transatlantic diplomacy today with the reception of more than 30 ministers and 59 delegations of countries participating at the first meeting of Foreign Ministers and Senior Officials of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union states, event that will be held until Wednesday.

Federica Mogherini, Vice President and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security will accompany the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miguel Vargas Maldonado, in the development of the CELAC-UE meetings in the Caribbean nation.

The Minister from the Dominican Republic, motivated his counterparts from the Community of Latin American and Caribbean-European Union to participate actively in the dialogues, exhorting that the decisions taken should be based on consensus among participants, putting the general interest of bi-regional community first.

“We are at a critical point, where we are committed to ensure that the European CELAC-EU forum fulfills its transcendental purpose that has arisen facing common global challenges.”

“Therefore, I appeal to you all, so that your efforts are oriented towards consensus, under a constructive spirit, aimed at reconciling positions, putting aside what separates us, focusing on the goals that unite us”, added chancellor Vargas, as he welcomes the start of the of conclave discussions with a meeting of Senior Officials of the CELAC-EU.

Delegations Arriving

Since early hours, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been receiving the different delegations arriving in the country which include on the side of Latin American and Caribbean countries, the Vice President and Foreign Minister of Panama, Isabel De Saint Malo Alvarado; the foreign ministers of Chile, Heraldo Muñoz; Colombia, Maria Angela Holguin; Haiti, Perriot Delienne; Ecuador, Guillaume Long; El Salvador, Hugo Martinez; Guatemala, Carlos Raul Morales Moscoso; Bolivia, David Choquehuanca Cesoede; Belize, Wilfred Elrington; Antigua and Barbuda, Charles Henry Fernandez.

The ministers of Dominica, Francine Baron; Bahamas Frederick Mitchell; Barbados, Maxine McClean; Jamaica, Kamina Johnson Elizabeth Smith; Saint Kitts and Nevis, Mark Brantley; Argentina, Susana Malcorra; Honduras, Maria Dolores Lara Aguero; Costa Rica, Manuel González Sanz and Paraguay, Eladio Loizaga.

Meanwhile already in the Dominican capital are the European foreign ministers: from Portugal, Augusto Santos Silva; Latvia, Edgar Rinkevis; Poland, Witold Easzcykowski; Bélgoica, Didier Reynders; Slovakia, Miroslav Lajkac; Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn and Hungary, Peter Szijjarto.

Delegations led by deputy ministers and officials have arrived in Santo Domingo to join technical meetings, whose first and preliminary sessions initiated Sunday afternoon at the Foreign Relations Convention Center.

Several sessions of this kind will take place until tomorrow Tuesday afternoon, when the formal meeting of the Foreign Ministers will initiate with an opening ceremony led by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, Miguel Vargas and Vice President / High Representative of the European Union Affairs Foreign and Security Federica Mogherini, with the presence of the Dominican President Danilo Medina.

Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas pointed out that in accordance with the commitment made by the Dominican Republic as a country holding the Presidency Pro Tempore of CELAC, the Ministry has deployed all the arrangements and requirements for this encounter between Latin American, European, and Caribbean partners, stemming that the meetings be held auspiciously, with the will of strengthening the bi-regional dialogue for the benefit of our peoples and nations.

The Foreign Ministry has worked with effort and dedication to uphold the image of the country and further strengthen the regional leadership of the Dominican Republic.

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CaribPR Wire, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, September 9, 2016 : Invest Turks and Caicos on September 1^st hosted its first conference since the establishment of the Investment Agency. Under the theme “Enhancing National Competitiveness,” the one-day event, held at Beaches Resort Village & Spa, brought together representatives from the public and private sectors to discuss areas of importance for strengthening the Islands’ economic competitiveness as well as providing an opportunity for businesses to contribute to future Government policy making.

The conference was divided into two parts, with a plenary held in the morning featuring presenters, Her Excellency Anya Williams, Deputy Governor; The Honourable Washington Misick, Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade; Felecia Linch, Programme Director, TCI Business Transformation Programme; Mark Durliat, CEO of Grace Bay Resorts; Dominique Rolle, President of Young Corporate Alliance; and Keynote speaker Felicia Persaud, Founder of Hard Beat Communications and Invest Caribbean Now.

The afternoon roundtable sessions provided engaging and enlightening discussions around three industry sectors offering potential growth for the TCI: Technology, Agri-business and Financial Services.   Facilitated by seasoned industry representatives and public officials, the round-tables elicited comments and feedback from the audience to draft a short action plan to suggest opportunities for growth of the specific sectors.

In his closing remarks, John Rutherford, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos, said that he hoped the conference will be the first of many important events the Agency organises. He thanked the plenary speakers and facilitators and stated that “the success of the event was due in no small part to the excellent contribution by all participants.”  He said that it was important to keep up the momentum created by the conference and ensure that the actions and promises made were followed up.

The Honourable Washington Misick, Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade, commended the Agency for a job well done and stated that the conference was an eye opener for him and he had found it extremely useful. Honourable Misick stated that it was important to continue a national dialogue on improving the economy and he announced that Invest Turks and Caicos and the Ministry of Finance would launch a quarterly Government Business Forum to identify and discuss issues and come up with specific actions. He also envisions the National Competitiveness Conference to grow into a bigger event in future years.

Invest Turks and Caicos Agency wishes to thank all participants for making the event a success and look forward to hosting similar conferences going forward.

About Invest Turks and Caicos

Invest Turks and Caicos is the Islands’ Investment Promotion Agency, responsible for enhancing the economy through the attraction, growth and retention of overseas investment; and supporting the growth of local businesses.

We provide a free and confidential service to overseas businesses looking to expand and will work with a company project team throughout the investment process, providing advice and support. This can include:

–        Information on the local business climate;

–        facilitating contact with relevant Government Departments throughout the investment process;

–        advice on Government incentives and concessions to investors;

–        introductions to local service providers/suppliers;

–        advice on work permits and permanent residency procedures;

–        ongoing support following set up.

We also work actively to support the growth of local businesses, including the management and delivery of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise programme which provides concessions and reliefs to locally owned businesses.

Media Contact:

Trina Adams-Smith

Invest Turks and Caicos

t: 16493384783

w: investturksandcaicos.tc

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CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Sept 7, 2016: Caribbean leaders need to throw out the old play book, and think big – beyond the status quo.

That’s the word from Felicia J. Persaud, CEO and founder of Invest Caribbean Now (ICN), to delegates at the just concluded Invest Turks & Caicos ‘Enhancing National Competitiveness Conference.’

Delivering keynote remarks at the TCI event on the topic ‘Dimensions of Competitiveness in the 21st Century: A Global Perspective,’ Persaud said that the Caribbean region is being left behind while other developing regions are soaring ahead because the problems and challenges are being addressed with the same standard solutions.

“We need to throw out the old play book, and think big – beyond the status quo,” said Persaud. “We need to begin by re-imagining the Turks & Caicos and the Caribbean for the future.”

The ICN CEO recommended five keys which she said the region and the Turks & Caicos should be applying in this 21^st century to overcome serious growth challenges in the post-Brexit era in which the Caribbean and TCI now finds itself.

They include, according to Persaud, “thinking outside the proverbial box, telling our story, harnessing our natural assets and competing for our wallet share, harnessing the right human capital and enhancing collaborations and partnerships, growing the middle and focusing on technology and energy efficiency.”

She also urged the TCI to look seriously into the medical business “of that herb many love to hate and see it as an economic engine of growth as Puerto Rico is working on doing along with Jamaica.”

The legal marijuana market in the US is predicted to rise from US 6 point seven billion dollars this year to US 21 point 8 billion by 2020 and some countries like the Netherlands have begun to export medical marijuana to countries like Canada, Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic,” said Persaud.

“So ask yourselves – why should they be making all the money from a herb that emerged in our region?,” she stated. “We as Caribbean leaders must create a new direction for our people in order to meet the economic challenges of our time. To restore growth to our countries and region and opportunity to our people, to empower our people so they can take responsibility for their own lives – so we as one Caribbean can also take our place in the world as an economic giant like India and our Latin American brothers and sisters.”

And she added: “Let us combine out visions and our energies so we can see a little further down the road and around the corner. So we can use that vision to challenge the status quo and most of all – use that vision to innovate with outside the box strategies so we can grow, expand and excel… in this country and as One Caribbean region!”

The day-long event also featured Anya Williams, Deputy Governor of the Islands; Washington Misick, Minister of Finance, Investment & Trade of the TCI; Mark Durliat, CEO Grace Bay Resorts and John Williams, Director General, Telecommunications Commission Turks and Caicos Islands.

ABOUT ICN

Invest Caribbean Now was launched five years ago in collaboration at the time with the Caribbean Tourism Organization to serve as a conduit between funders and governments and private sector developers in the tourism field.

It began with an annual investment forum that featured investment bankers, private equity investors, ministers of governments, hotel developers, tourism officials, architects, real estate developers, financial advisers, entrepreneurs, Chinese government officials and investors as well as the media in a giant match making event that put the spotlight on investment opportunities in several Caribbean nations including Bermuda, the Turks & Caicos Islands, St. Martin and Trinidad & Tobago.

Based on its effectiveness in bringing people together to do business and its network of high net worth lenders and programs, ICN, owned by Hard Beat Communications, expanded it focus in 2015 to become the private sector investment agency of the Caribbean, focusing now year round on matching projects with funders and funding.

Construction projects like resort and hotel construction, villa and mixed use developments and multi-family properties are welcome as well as major infrastructure development, energy and mining projects. Additionally, debt funding is available for refinancing, purchase or bridge loans of between USD$1 to $100 million.

Meanwhile, small to medium-sized Caribbean American and Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S. and Canada who have been in existence for one year and have earnings of USD100, 000 can also contact ICN for access to SBE loans of up to USD250, 000 for expansion.

For more information see investcaribbeannow.com.

The full speech can be seen here.

###

SOURCE: Invest Caribbean Now

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kathy Bronson

Communications Coordinator

Invest Caribbean Now

[email protected]

718-476-3616

Click Here for More Information »

Carib PR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Sept. 29, 2015: The French Caribbean island of Saint-Martin is seeking to give its economy a shot in the arm with the expansion of two major port projects in the next few years.

Hon. Jeanne Rogers-Vanterpool, President of the Office of Tourism of Saint Martin made the disclosure to delegates gathered at the elite invitation only Invest Caribbean Now conference, held on the island from September 24-25^th.

The Government of the Collectivité of French Saint-Martin, she said, will be seeking to implement The Marigot Bay Development Project and The Galisbay Port Development Project as its works towards its overall goal – the revitalization of its capital, Marigot.

The Galisbay Commercial Port project will see the expansion of the port as a trans-shipment hub while the Marigot Bay Development Project is aimed to expand the port as a major hub for cruise ship docks and mega yacht marina and the creation of a conference hotel, residences and shops on the water front of Marigot.

Invest Caribbean Now 2015, now in its fifth year, kicked off on September 24^th in Terres Basses with an extravagant reception and dinner at Villa Mes Aimes for foreign and local delegates. It continued on Friday, September 25th with the conference at the Chamber of Commerce building in Concordia where the spotlight was put squarely on tourism investment opportunities in the French Caribbean Island. It was the first time ICN had taken its conference overseas.

The event featured several local government officials including Senator Guillaume Arnell; Hon. Jeanne Rogers-Vanterpool, and Vice-president of Economic Development Wendel Cocks, harbour developers as well as several local stake holders and over three dozen Beijing company executives.

ICN’s Felicia J. Persaud, ICN’s founder and CEO, thanked Saint Martin for welcoming the conference to its shores and urged the government to continue to work on creative “private – public sector partnerships.”

“We must move beyond petty politics and arrogant perceived power and understand that our growth as an island – and as a region – is tied to relationship building globally – whether in the Caribbean Diaspora, the US, China, Europe, Africa or other areas around the world,” Persaud said. “The competitive nature of the global market place demands such action and we cannot be left behind in 2015. We must think global and act global!”

The summit this year made history in the North-East Caribbean with the attendance of a delegation of over 40-Beijing companies and organizations.

Speakers from the Chinese delegation included Qin, Guoying, Secretary-General of China Women’s Development Foundation; Xiong, Yumei, Executive President of the China Women Tourism Committee; Zheng, Yaoxing, Dean Of The Tourism Department, Fujian Normal University And Strait Tourism College; Yin, Zhijun, Chairman, The Beijing Lao She Teahouse Co., Ltd, Guo, LiFeng, CEO, BESTONE Jewelry Company and Li Li,   The Executive Director Of The Sino-American Friendship Association.

The 2015 event was presented by the Government of the Collectivité of French Saint-Martin, The Office of Tourism of Saint-Martin and executives at Invest Caribbean Now (ICN), in collaboration with the Sino-American Friendship Association, the Chinese American Business Development Center of New York, the  St-Martin Harbor, Hard Beat Communications, One Caribbean Television, the St. Maarten Chinese Association, CaribPRWire and News Americas Now.

ABOUT SAINT MARTIN

The Collectivité of French Saint Martin is located in the northeast Caribbean, approximately 300 km (190 mi) southeast of Puerto Rico and shares the 37 square mile island with Sint Maarten, a country within the Dutch Kingdom.  The Collectivité offers low rates of taxation for investors; exemption from property tax for five years for new commercial premises and reduced transfer tax on the acquisition of land for the purposes of priority activities.

ABOUT INVEST CARIBBEAN NOW

Invest Caribbean Now (ICN) is the definitive private sector investment agency of the Caribbean. It is based in America’s financial capital of the world, New York City. Now in its fifth year, ICN is the brainchild of Caribbean-born media entrepreneur, Felicia J. Persaud and is owned by Hard Beat Communications, Inc.

Invest Caribbean Now promotes and pushes for the right investment opportunities in the Caribbean region; offers a concierge service for high end investors seeking to make the right connection with key opportunities, governments and other parties in any Caribbean destination and connects small entrepreneurs in the Diaspora with SME micro loans.

For more see investcaribbeannow.com.

###

SOURCE: Invest Caribbean Now

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kathy Bronson

Communications Coordinator

Invest Caribbean Now

High Res images available: [email protected]

718-476-3616

Click Here for More Information »

Carib PR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. September 21, 2015: The French Caribbean island of Saint-Martin will put the spotlight on several tourism investment opportunities available on the island this week as the Government of the Collectivité of French Saint-Martin and The Office of Tourism of Saint-Martin gear up to host Invest Caribbean Now 2015.

“As President of the Office of Tourism of Saint- Martin, I will be showcasing infrastructural and other opportunities to interested investors,” said the Hon. Jeanne Rogers-Vanterpool, Présidente, Office de Tourisme de Saint-Martin. “As we gear up for the launch of our new Five Year Tourism Master Plan, we are excited to speak to investors about ideas and opportunities that are available.”

She added that among the major projects available are the expansion of the island’s port services and the Marigot Bay Development Project and other tourism related opportunities that fall within the Marigot Revitalisation project.

“Investment opportunities both inside and outside of these major projects include, among others, resorts,  hotels, marinas, conference facilities, theme parks, nature parks, shopping centres and shipping related activities,” President Rogers-Vanterpool added.

A delegation of over 40-Beijing companies including Showland Investment Group Corp. Ltd, Beijing; Bestone Investment Ltd.; Henan Yue Xin Co Nationwide Financial Services Inc., Beijing Century Tang Tourism Development Co., Ltd, China’s Low Carbon Tourism Promotion Committee, Beijing Four Seasons Travel Advisory Co., Ltd., China Women Tourism Committee, China Women Development Foundation and China News Agency will join other overseas delegates from China Harbour, Panorama Group and One Caribbean Television at the conference.

Speakers at the September 25^th formal summit will include Saint-Martin’s Vice President of Economic Development, Wendel Cocks; Saint-Martin’s Minister of Tourism and President of the Office of Tourism, Jeanne Rogers-Vanterpool; Qin, Guoying, Secretary-General of China Women’s Development Foundation,  Xiong, Yumei, Executive President of the China Women Tourism Committee; ICN founder Felicia J. Persaud, Zheng, Yaoxing, Dean Of The Tourism Department, Fujian Normal University and Strait Tourism College and Li Li,  the Executive Director Of The Sino-American Friendship Association.

Invest Caribbean Now 2015 – St. Martin is an invitation only event that will open on the evening of September 24^th with a cocktail, dinner and awards ceremony that will focus on the 2015 ICN Leadership Awardee.

Partners for this year’s event include the Government of the Collectivité of French Saint-Martin, The Office of Tourism of Saint-Martin, the  St-Martin Harbor, Hard Beat Communications, the Chinese-American Business Development Center, the Sino-American Friendship Association, One Caribbean Television, the St. Maarten Chinese Association, CaribPRWire and News Americas Now.

ABOUT SAINT MARTIN

The Collectivité of French Saint-Martin is located in the northeast Caribbean, approximately 300 km (190 mi) southeast of Puerto Rico and shares the 37 square mile island with Sint Maarten, a country within the Dutch Kingdom.  The Collectivité offers low rates of taxation for investors; exemption from property tax for five years for new commercial premises and reduced transfer tax on the acquisition of land for the purposes of priority activities.

ABOUT INVEST CARIBBEAN NOW

Invest Caribbean Now (ICN) is the definitive private sector investment agency of the Caribbean. It is based in America’s financial capital of the world, New York City. Now in its fifth year, ICN is the brainchild of Caribbean-born media entrepreneur, Felicia J. Persaud and is owned by Hard Beat Communications, Inc.

Invest Caribbean Now promotes and pushes for the right investment opportunities in the Caribbean region; offers a concierge service for high end investors seeking to make the right connection with key opportunities, governments and other parties in any Caribbean destination and connects small entrepreneurs in the Diaspora with SME micro loans.

For more see investcaribbeannow.com.

Click Here for More Information »

Carib PR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. September 3, 2015: A delegation of over 40-Beijing companies will travel to the French Caribbean island of Saint-Martin this September for Invest Caribbean Now 2015.

The Government of the Collectivité of French Saint-Martin, The Office of Tourism of Saint-Martin and executives at Invest Caribbean Now (ICN), in collaboration with the Sino-American Friendship Association and the Chinese American Business Development Center of New York, will create history in the northeast Caribbean this Fall when for the first time, the region welcomes such a major Chinese travel delegation to a summit, exploring investment opportunities between China and Saint Martin.
In addition, the summit will also discuss primary issues related to tourism and women’s empowerment.
The Beijing delegation will be comprised largely of C-level executives from leading companies, travel agencies and organizations in China. The delegation will be led by Qin, Guoying, Secretary-General of China Women’s Development Foundation, and Xiong, Yumei, Executive President of the China Women Tourism Committee.
“Invest Caribbean Now remains dedicated to fostering opportunities that create economic and cultural partnerships around the globe,” commented ICN founder Felicia J. Persaud. “ICN is excited to this year extend its relationship with the Sino-American Friendship Association and the Chinese American Business Development Center of New York in helping the Government of the Collectivité of French Saint-Martin and The Office of Tourism of Saint-Martin put the global spotlight on opportunities in its tourism sector.”
“We are excited by this opportunity to showcase our island to investors and tourism professionals,” said Hon. Jeanne Rogers-Vanterpool, Présidente, Office de Tourisme de Saint-Martin. “Invest Caribbean Now will give us the opportunity to give potential investors a firsthand look at the many opportunities that are available on our island as well as the benefits of a fiscal climate that is truly investor friendly. It’s not every day that you’re given a captive audience in an environment that is ideal for doing business. We are looking forward to welcoming this delegation to our shores.”
“This summit is a historical event, bringing a large group of Beijing delegates to Saint-Martin, and featuring discussions on tourism and women’s development,” commented Li Li, Vice President, Sino-American Friendship Association. “This event will greatly advance women’s roles in tourism and public welfare, as well as further enhance business cooperation between China and Saint-Martin.”

Invest Caribbean Now 2015 – St. Martin will put the spotlight on tourism investment opportunities in the French Caribbean Island at the September event in Marigot. This elite invitation only event will also feature several officials from the north-east Caribbean along with top global harbour developers and local stake holders.

Partners for the 2015 event include the Government of the Collectivité of French Saint-Martin, The Office of Tourism of Saint-Martin, the  St-Martin Harbor, Hard Beat Communications, the Chinese-American Business Development Center, the Sino-American Friendship Association, One Caribbean Television, the St. Maarten Chinese Association, CaribPRWire and News Americas Now.

ABOUT SAINT MARTIN

The Collectivité of French Saint Martin is located in the northeast Caribbean, approximately 300 km (190 mi) southeast of Puerto Rico and shares the 37 square mile island with Sint Maarten, a country within the Dutch Kingdom.  The Collectivité offers low rates of taxation for investors; exemption from property tax for five years for new commercial premises and reduced transfer tax on the acquisition of land for the purposes of priority activities.

ABOUT INVEST CARIBBEAN NOW

Invest Caribbean Now (ICN) is the definitive private sector investment agency of the Caribbean. It is based in America’s financial capital of the world, New York City. Now in its fifth year, ICN is the brainchild of Caribbean-born media entrepreneur, Felicia J. Persaud and is owned by Hard Beat Communications, Inc.

Invest Caribbean Now promotes and pushes for the right investment opportunities in the Caribbean region; offers a concierge service for high end investors seeking to make the right connection with key opportunities, governments and other parties in any Caribbean destination and connects small entrepreneurs in the Diaspora with SME micro loans.

For more see investcaribbeannow.com.

###

SOURCE: Invest Caribbean Now

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kathy Bronson

Communications Coordinator

Invest Caribbean Now

[email protected]

718-476-3616

Click Here for More Information »

Carib PR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. July 15, 2015: The exotic French Caribbean island of Saint-Martin will this year put the spotlight on its global investment opportunities through an exclusive collaboration with Invest Caribbean Now, the global private sector Caribbean investment agency.

The Office of Tourism of Saint-Martin, in conjunction with executives at ICN, will present the 2015 conference this September 28-30, 2015 in the capital of Marigot to spotlight on the Collectivité of French Saint-Martin.

This elite invitation only event will feature several officials from China along with key harbour developers and top regional and local stake holders from the north-eastern Caribbean.

“We are happy to host the 2015 Invest Caribbean Now conference this year in Saint Martin and to lead the way with this exciting partnership in the north-eastern Caribbean,” said Hon. Jeanne Rogers-Vanterpool, Présidente, Office de Tourisme de Saint-Martin. “We look forward to welcoming the Chinese and other delegates to this year’s event and to presenting the many facets of French Saint-Martin.”

“Invest Caribbean Now is excited to take ICN 2015 to the Caribbean this year through an exclusive collaboration with the Collectivité of French Saint-Martin, an island with tremendous growth potential in the north-eastern Caribbean,” commented  ICN founder, Felicia J. Persaud.

Partners for the 2015 event include Hard Beat Communications, the Chinese-American Business Development Center, the Sino-American Friendship Association, One Caribbean Television, CaribPRWire and News Americas Now. 

The Collectivité of French Saint Martin is located in the northeast Caribbean, approximately 300 km (190 mi) east of Puerto Rico.  French Saint-Martin shares the 37 square mile island with Country Sint Maarten, a country within the Dutch Kingdom.  Marigot is the capital of the territory which is home to 108 different nationalities. The population of the Collectivité of Saint-Martin is estimated at 36,824. Much more than a beach-lover’s paradise, the island of Saint Martin is teeming with natural and cultural treasures. Thanks to its climate and untouched natural heritage, the territory offers unparalleled year-round water sports and outdoor activities.  Saint-Martin is also known for its duty-free shopping and luxury boutiques.

Invest Caribbean Now is the definitive private sector investment agency of the Caribbean. It is based in America’s financial capital of the world, New York City, and has as its main focus: wealth creation for the Caribbean region and its Diaspora by capitalizing on global trends and indigenous creativity while creating key partnerships.

Invest Caribbean Now, now in its fifth year, is the brainchild of Caribbean-born media entrepreneur, Felicia J. Persaud and is owned by Hard Beat Communications, Inc.

###

SOURCE: Invest Caribbean Now

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kathy Bronson

Communications Coordinator

Invest Caribbean Now

[email protected]

718-476-3616

Click Here for More Information »

CaribPR Wire, Thurs. Sept. 25, 2014: In commemoration of Trinidad & Tobago’s 38^th anniversary of a Republic and the country’s first investment conference in New York City, private Caribbean investment promotions arm, Invest Caribbean Now, hosted the country’s first female Prime Minister, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, in a flag raising ceremony at Bowling Green, New York on Wednesday, September 24th.

The event was held in conjunction with the Bowling Green Association and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation at the Bowling Green Park at the southern tip of Broadway, a mecca for visitors from around the world and home to the world famous  3 1/2 ton bronze “Charging Bull.” The flag was raised at 1:45 p.m. on the towering 55 ft. flag pole by Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar and was followed by a private reception at Cipriani’s at 25 Broadway in Lower Manhattan.

ICN Founder and Chairman, Felicia Persaud, presented the prime minister with a Certificate of Appreciation at the ceremony for “making history at Bowling Green” while ICN President, Sheila Newtown-Moses, said she looked forward to further collaboration and partnership between Invest Caribbean Now and the government of Trinidad and Tobago.

“This event showed what the Caribbean Diaspora is capable of achieving through diverse and global collaboration, but most importantly what can be achieved through partnerships between governments and private sector entities like Hard Beat Communications’ Invest Caribbean Now,” commented Persaud on the event. “We were happy to be able to afford the Prime Minister the opportunity to mark the Republic anniversary of sweet T&T even here in NYC.”

The ceremony was attended by a number of Trinidadian and American nationals in New York, including Brooklyn Assemblyman Nick Perry as well as several Trinidad government officials including InvesTT President, Mrs. Racquel Moses; InvesTT vice president, investor sourcing, InvesTT and manager marketing & communications, InvesTT, Shurla Henry-Gibson.

Trinidad and Tobago gained Independence from British colonial rule on 31st August 1962 and became a Republic twelve years later on September 24, 1976.

Today, September 25^th, PM Persad-Bissessar will address the Trinidad & Tobago Investment conference on Thursday at the headquarters of the Council on Foreign Relations, 58 E 68th St

New York, NY.

ABOUT INVEST CARIBBEAN NOW

Invest Caribbean Now (ICN): Invest Caribbean Now is the only privately owned New York-based investment agency promoting investment in the Caribbean and the brainchild of Caribbean American entrepreneur Felicia Persaud. Its annual investment summit presented by digital media solutions company Hard Beat Communications, brings together investment bankers, private equity investors, Chinese and U.S. government officials, Caribbean ministers of governments and premiers, hotel developers, architects, real estate developers, financial advisors, entrepreneurs and the media in New York City annually to focus on investment opportunities in the Caribbean and wealth creation for the region.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kathy Bronson

Invest Caribbean Now

[email protected]

Click Here for More Information »

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla., Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA) annual keynote event, the Conference & Trade Show, has a 20-year history of increasing cruise tourism’s impact for its host destinations by spotlighting their products, experiences and infrastructure to the industry’s most influential decision makers—over 100 executives, presidents and CEOs from FCCA’s 15 Member Lines, which operate over 100 ships in Caribbean and Latin American waters.

St. Maarten is looking to build onto their past growth by hosting their second FCCA Conference & Trade Show from October 6 – 10. The destination knows the significance of hosting this event because of their progress after their first Conference in 2003. In 2001, St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies reported 875,540 passenger arrivals. This number rose 70 percent to 1,490,386 in 2005, just two years after hosting the Conference.

As the destination knows, these numbers extend far beyond the cruise pier; they impact the entire economy. According to the Business Research & Economic Advisors (BREA) 2012 study, Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism to the Destination Economies, the average expenditure per passenger in St. Maarten was $185.40, which benefitted numerous industries through purchases of goods that included food and beverage at restaurants and bars, clothing, shore excursions, ground transportation, local crafts and souvenirs, watches and jewelry, perfumes and cosmetics, electronics, entertainment/night clubs/casinos, retail purchases of liquor, and telephone and internet.

However, this is hardly the only economic contribution provided by cruise tourism. The same study showed that the average expenditure per crew in St. Maarten was $135.50 for similar products and services. Plus it revealed the direct and indirect employment generated by the cruise industry, totaling 8,123 jobs and $159.8 million in employee wages.

By these numbers, St. Maarten’s 70 percent increase after hosting their first Conference would represent an increase of $114 million in passenger spending alone, along with the coinciding growth of crew spending, cruise line spending, and employment.

Projecting this same growth after this year’s Conference would be aggressive, considering that in 2014 St. Maarten expects 1.67 million passenger arrivals onboard 523 vessels from FCCA Member Lines alone. But a single cruise ship has a large economic wake. BREA’s figures show that just one average cruise vessel—130,000 GRT, 1,040 feet long, carrying 3,000 passengers and 500 crewmembers—would generate $556,200 in passenger spending and $67,750 in crew spending, along with roughly $15,000 in port fees, totaling $638,950 in direct economic contribution, not including employment and other indirect contributions.

Projecting a more conservative growth rate of 20 percent, or 105 additional cruise ship calls, would mean an extra $67 million per year directly contributed to St. Maarten’s economy. Plus a 20 percent increase in cruise tourism-impacted employment would represent 1,625 more jobs with $32 million in wages.

Considering this potential economic impact, it becomes easy to understand why St. Maarten again decided to invest in its entire destination’s economy by hosting the FCCA Conference & Trade Show.

About the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association

Created in 1972, the FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organization that provides a forum for discussion on tourism development, ports, safety, security, and other cruise industry issue and builds bilateral relationships with destinations’ private and public sectors. By fostering an understanding of the cruise industry and its operating practices, the FCCA works with governments, ports and private sector representatives to maximize cruise passenger, crew and cruise line spending, as well as enhance the destination experience and increase the amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors. For more information, visit F-CCA.com, the FCCA on Facebook, and @FCCAupdates on Twitter.

CONTACT:  Omari Breakenridge 954 441 8881 [email protected]

Click Here for More Information »

CaribPR Wire, Mon. Sept. 15, 2014: Why do multinational companies choose Trinidad and Tobago?; What is Trinidad and Tobago doing to attract FDI outside of a thriving energy sector?; What is the future of US / Trinidad and Tobago relations?

These questions will be answered on September 25, 2014 in New York at the Trinidad and Tobago Investment Conference. This premier event will feature the Honorable Prime Minister, Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the headquarters of the Council on Foreign Relations, 58 E 68th Street, New York, NY.

Trinidad and Tobago is ranked #1 for cost effectiveness in the Caribbean and Central America (fDi Intelligence, 2013) and boasts of a strategic location below the hurricane belt, which augers well for bulk trans-shipment, fewer business disruptions and uninterrupted power. Strong trade relations with USA, Canada, Costa Rica, Venezuela, CARICOM, Colombia and Europe provide local businesses with easy market access to over 1 billion consumers globally.

The conference will focus on Trinidad & Tobago’s competitive advantages as a business location. It will include panels of experts and business leaders from Trinidad & Tobago and the United States to discuss the country’s advancements in economic diversification, foreign investment, foreign policy, energy, competitiveness and innovation.

Government officials already confirmed at the event include:

• Senator the Honourable Vasant Bharath – Minister of Trade, Industry, Investment and Communications.
• Senator Dr. the Honourable Bhoendradatt Tewarie – Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development.
• Senator the Honourable Kevin Ramnarine – Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs.

The media is invited to cover this event and arrange interviews through InvesTT Trinidad and Tobago, the national investment promotion agency. InvesTT Trinidad and Tobago is an integral part of the Government’s diversification strategy and serves as the first point of contact for investors seeking opportunities in all of the country’s targeted sectors.  The company provides full service facilitation for all incoming investment projects.

InvesTT representatives Mrs. Racquel Moses, President and Mr. Shyamal Chandradathsingh – Vice President, Investor Sourcing will be there to meet with interested parties.

For more information on this event, use the following link:

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/about-us/sponsors/trinidad-tobago-investment-conference-agenda

For more information on Trinidad and Tobago’s investment offerings visit www.investt.co.tt.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Shurla Henry-Gibson

Manager, Marketing & Communications

InvesTT

Tel: +1 (868) 675-1989 ext. 2168; +1 (868) 750-8437 (mobile)

Email: [email protected]

Click Here for More Information »

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla., Aug. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The 2014 FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show, the largest cruise and tourism conference and trade show in the Caribbean, will let delegates and exhibitors target about 1,000 cruise tourism stakeholders and 100 FCCA Member Line presidents, CEOs and executives from multiple sectors, including operations, purchasing, marketing, shore excursions and government relations.

“The FCCA Conference and Trade Show is a great opportunity to network with and learn from the FCCA Member Lines’ key players,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line CEO and FCCA chairman. “Attendees have ample opportunities to promote products, develop working relationships and discuss trends with the industry’s most important executives.”

Attendees and executives will congregate in St. Maarten from October 6-10 for a four-day series of meetings, workshops, networking functions and the trade show. The Conference’s business functions will include preset one-on-one meetings that offer a chance to promote a product to or receive individualized input from cruise executives selected by attendees; workshops on current issues with panels of knowledgeable industry professionals and cruise executives, along with the presidents and CEOs heading a roundtable discussion; and social functions that foster networking in a comfortable, engaging atmosphere.

The Trade Show will guarantee exposure from this influential audience through numerous events hosted at the Trade Show, many of which feature cruise executives, and traffic driven by its location, with all attendees entering and passing through to access the Conference’s business sessions and registration. Booths will put an exhibitor’s product, company or destination on the mind of those who decide where ships call and what is sold onboard, and specialized pavilions are available to increase attention and allow a destination or large company to showcase their numerous offerings.

This is one of the best opportunities to increase cruise tourism’s impact by better understanding the industry and promoting products to and forging working relationships with some of the cruise industry’s most important decision makers.

Registration for and more information about the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show are available here: https://www.regonline.com/fccastmaarten.

CONTACT: Omari Breakenridge, 954 441 8881, [email protected]

Click Here for More Information »