CaribPR Wire

Mr. Anthony Eterno, of the Caribbean Affairs Office of the Western Hemisphere Division in the US State Department, addressing the Avalon Invest Caribbean Now 2013 forum in New York City on June 5, 2013. (Hayden Roger Celestin image)

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. June 7, 2013: The United States – Caribbean Community Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, (TIFA), will be essential to spurring economic development and diversification of the region and to contributing to improvement in the well-being of citizens.

That’s the word from Anthony Eterno of the Caribbean Affairs Office of the Western Hemisphere Division in the US State Department, who on Wednesday, June 4^th delivered a speech on “Investing In The Caribbean: The US’ Perspective,” at the 2013 Avalon Invest Caribbean Now forum held in New York City by digital media company, Hard Beat Communications in collaboration with the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

Eterno, who has over 15 years experience in Washington and overseas, including extensive service in the Caribbean, told the audience of more than 150 ministers, private sector investors from the U.S, Chinese representatives and the media, that the TIFA will include “matters relating to the WTO; bilateral trade and investment arrangements; cooperation in regional and multilateral areas; and support for regional integration (as well as a) focus on the digital divide through the promotion of innovation and the dissemination of technology.”

The U.S. State Department official’s comments came on the heels of the U.S. Vice President’s Caribbean trip to sign the TIFA on May 28^th.  Eterno insisted that the United States is “creating a positive investment climate at the local level as well, making tangible progress in numerous communities across the region, noting that the U.S. State Department is actively using an “Economic Statecraft” approach that uses the tools of diplomacy abroad to support trade and the rights of U.S. investors abroad.

“Ours is a relationship that is borne out of a strong desire by all of our countries to collectively participate in an improved and sustainable future,” stated Eterno. “This is the kind of relationship that makes us stronger as partners.  And I can tell you that in many of the private conversations I have had with business leaders, government officials, unions, friends, and even family from the Caribbean, that because of this long-term focus and our proven commitment, the Caribbean knows in its heart of hearts that the United States has its back.  In fact, as we see the positive results of this strong partnership materialize, creating economic growth and prosperity for all of our citizens, we realize that we all have each other’s back.”

For the full presentation from Mr. Eterno log on here or to http://investcaribbeannow.com/presentations/

Other speakers and presenters at the Avalon ICN 2013 included Dr. Rufus Ewing, Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands; C. Washington Misick, finance minister of the Turks & Caicos Islands; Alan Loewenstein, managing partner of Wedgewood Investment Group; Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization and Commissioner of tourism of the USVI, Beverly Nicholson Doty; Miguel Reyna, director, Port Business Development and Asset Management, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.; Felicia Persaud, founder of Invest Caribbean Now and CMO at Hard Beat Communications; Heather Flossiac of Belle Vue Properties of St. Lucia; E. Jay Saunders, CEO of Digicel TCI; Brian Lilly, founder of One Caribbean Television and Ganesh Ramanathan, creative director at Hard Beat Communications; Dr. Grace Lappin of Avalon Partners, Inc. and Arthur Piccolo of the Bowling Green Association.

Private sector attendees included representatives from JP Morgan Chase, Nomura, Aegis Capital, Merrill Lynch, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd, Frontier Markets Capital, Ltd.; Waterloo Investments Holdings Ltd.; RBC Merchant Bank Caribbbean; efm Hospitality; CIBC World Markets; RBC Royal Bank and Ibis Investments among others. 

Over twelve dozen delegates attended the Avalon Invest Caribbean Now Forum at the Radisson Martinique Hotel in mid-town, Manhattan, including Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands, Dr. Rufus Ewing and his Minister of Finance C. Washington Misick; Minister of Tourism & International Transport, International Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs St. Kitts, Ricky Skerritt; Minister for Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, St. Lucia, Lorne Theophilus; Minister of Tourism Nevis, Mark Brantley; Minister of Tourism of Antigua & Barbuda, John Maginley; Minister of Tourism, Sports & Culture, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Cecil McKie; Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary, Division of Tourism and Transportation, Tobago; Nicolaas Sneek, Commissioner, St. Eustacius; Minister of Tourism of The Bahamas, Obie Wilchcombe and Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and Commissioner of the United States Virgin Islands, Beverly Nicholson Doty.; Parliamentary Secretary of Tourism of Anguilla, Haydn Hughes; Juliana Johan-Boodram, Permanent Secretary of Trinidad & Tobago’s Ministry of Tourism; and Russell Harrigan, chairman of the Board of Directors of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board.

Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean International copped the prestigious “ICN Corporate Leadership Award” for 2013 for it’s over $200,000,000 investments in the Caribbean region in the past 10 years.

Invest Caribbean Now is the brain child of Felicia Persaud and is now in its third year.

Kara Coleman, news anchor of One Caribbean Television emceed the forum which was sponsored by Avalon Partners; The Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency; Royal Caribbean Cruise, Ltd; One Caribbean Television, the American Chinese Commerce Development Association  and The Chinese American Business Development Center.

For 2013 presentations log on here or http://investcaribbeannow.com/presentations/

For more including additional photos and videos of the speeches and presentations stay logged on to InvestCaribbeanNow.com.

Mr. Alan Loewenstein, managing partner of Wedgewood Investment Group delivered the keynote address at the 2013 Avalon Invest Caribbean Now forum in New York city on June 5, 2013. (Hayden Roger Celestin image)

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. June 7, 2013: “The ‘Caribbean is ripe for significant investments to spur the region in sustained economic and human growth.”

That’s the consensus of 30-year investment veteran, Alan Loewenstein, managing partner of Wedgewood Investment Group. In delivering the keynote speech at the 2013 Avalon Invest Caribbean Now forum in New York City on Wednesday, June 5^th, Loewenstein said “the government that can lure the most investment will be the long term winner because these investments will spur the local economy.”

He said the Caribbean is a safer bet for investors compared to Africa and Latin America since growth in the LATAM has much more political risk than the Caribbean while investments in Africa is “still too early stage with unstable governments that cause the potential for tremendous risk.”

“Investments now will be on the ground level of a growth and a building boom that will spur more growth in the future,” predicted Lowenstein, adding that the time to buy is when valuations are cheap.

But he said governments must do their part to attract the baby boomers and new millionaires and billionaires who are growing globally including in China and Russia.

“These people are accustomed to the modern conveniences of society,” said Loewenstein, so to entice them to come, all the technology needs to be in place, the marina has to be built, the service industry has to be trained and all the comforts of home need to be transported and this requires significant investment.”

For the full speech from Mr. Loewenstein log on here or to http://investcaribbeannow.com/presentations/

Other speakers and presenters at the Avalon ICN 2013 included Anthony Eterno of the Caribbean Affairs Office of the Western Hemisphere Division of the U.S. State Department; Dr. Rufus Ewing, Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands; C. Washington Misick, finance minister of the Turks & Caicos Islands; Felicia Persaud, founder of Invest Caribbean Now and CMO at Hard Beat Communications; Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization and Commissioner of tourism of the USVI, Beverly Nicholson Doty; Miguel Reyna, director, Port Business Development and Asset Management, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.; Heather Flossiac of Belle Vue Properties of St. Lucia; E. Jay Saunders, CEO of Digicel TCI; Brian Lilly, founder of One Caribbean Television and Ganesh Ramanathan, creative director at Hard Beat Communications; Dr. Grace Lappin of Avalon Partners, Inc. and Arthur Piccolo of the Bowling Green Association.

Private sector attendees included representatives from JP Morgan Chase, Nomura, Aegis Capital, Merrill Lynch, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd, Frontier Markets Capital, Ltd.; Waterloo Investments Holdings Ltd.; RBC Merchant Bank Caribbbean; efm Hospitality; CIBC World Markets; RBC Royal Bank and Ibis Investments among others. 

Over twelve dozen delegates attended the Avalon Invest Caribbean Now Forum at the Radisson Martinique Hotel in mid-town, Manhattan, including Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands, Dr. Rufus Ewing and his Minister of Finance C. Washington Misick; Minister of Tourism & International Transport, International Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs St. Kitts, Ricky Skerritt; Minister for Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, St. Lucia, Lorne Theophilus; Minister of Tourism Nevis, Mark Brantley; Minister of Tourism of Antigua & Barbuda, John Maginley; Minister of Tourism, Sports & Culture, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Cecil McKie; Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary, Division of Tourism and Transportation, Tobago; Nicolaas Sneek, Commissioner, St. Eustacius; Minister of Tourism of The Bahamas, Obie Wilchcombe and Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and Commissioner of the United States Virgin Islands, Beverly Nicholson Doty.; Parliamentary Secretary of Tourism of Anguilla, Haydn Hughes; Juliana Johan-Boodram, Permanent Secretary of Trinidad & Tobago’s Ministry of Tourism; and Russell Harrigan, chairman of the Board of Directors of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board.

Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean International copped the prestigious “ICN Corporate Leadership Award” for 2013 for it’s over $200,000,000 investments in the Caribbean region in the past 10 years.

Invest Caribbean Now is the brain child of Felicia Persaud and is now in its third year.

Kara Coleman, news anchor of One Caribbean Television emceed the forum which was sponsored by Avalon Partners; The Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency; Royal Caribbean Cruise, Ltd; One Caribbean Television, the American Chinese Commerce Development Association  and The Chinese American Business Development Center.

For 2013 presentations log on here or http://investcaribbeannow.com/presentations/

For more including additional photos and videos of the speeches and presentations stay logged on to InvestCaribbeanNow.com.

Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing, of the Turks & Caicos Islands, shares investment opportunities in his island at the Avalon Invest Caribbean Now 2013 forum in New York City on June 5, 2013. (Hayden Roger Celestin image)

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. June 7, 2013: U.S. and Chinese investors are being urged to “open their wallets” to investment opportunities in the Turks & Caicos Islands.

The call to action came from the Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands, Dr.  Rufus Ewing and his finance minister, C. Washington Misick, at the 2013 Avalon Invest Caribbean Now forum held in New York City on June 5, 2013.

Dr. Ewing shared several opportunities currently available for investment in the TCI as well as expansion and infrastructure enhancements planned by his Progressive National Party government.

These include the expansion of the Providenciales International Airport; the Caicos Causeway Project that will stretch from Providenciales to South Caicos; the development of College Park catering for medical, trade and hospitality schools and the establishment of technology parks on the island as part of a Software Development Economic Special Zone.

The Premier and Minister Misick also disclosed opportunities for the development of AP/EP branded hotels of quality on the island to boost the island’s hotel room stock; yachting tourism via marina development; a deep water port among several others.

For the full presentation from Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing, log on here or to http://investcaribbeannow.com/presentations/

Other speakers and presenters at the Avalon ICN 2013 included Anthony Eterno of the Caribbean Affairs Office of the U.S. State Department; Felicia Persaud, founder of Invest Caribbean Now and CMO at Hard Beat Communications; Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization and Commissioner of tourism of the USVI, Beverly Nicholson Doty; Alan Loewenstein, managing partner of Wedgewood Investment Group; Miguel Reyna, director, Port Business Development and Asset Management, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.; Heather Flossiac of Belle Vue Properties of St. Lucia; E. Jay Saunders, CEO of Digicel TCI; Brian Lilly, founder of One Caribbean Television and Ganesh Ramanathan, creative director at Hard Beat Communications; Dr. Grace Lappin of Avalon Partners, Inc. and Arthur Piccolo of the Bowling Green Association.

Private sector attendees included representatives from JP Morgan Chase, Nomura, Aegis Capital, Merrill Lynch, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd, Frontier Markets Capital, Ltd.; Waterloo Investments Holdings Ltd.; RBC Merchant Bank Caribbbean; efm Hospitality; CIBC World Markets; RBC Royal Bank and Ibis Investments among others. 

Over twelve dozen delegates attended the Avalon Invest Caribbean Now Forum at the Radisson Martinique Hotel in mid-town, Manhattan, including Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands, Dr. Rufus Ewing and his Minister of Finance C. Washington Misick; Minister of Tourism & International Transport, International Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs St. Kitts, Ricky Skerritt; Minister for Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, St. Lucia, Lorne Theophilus; Minister of Tourism Nevis, Mark Brantley; Minister of Tourism of Antigua & Barbuda, John Maginley; Minister of Tourism, Sports & Culture, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Cecil McKie; Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary, Division of Tourism and Transportation, Tobago; Nicolaas Sneek, Commissioner, St. Eustacius; Minister of Tourism of The Bahamas, Obie Wilchcombe and Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and Commissioner of the United States Virgin Islands, Beverly Nicholson Doty.; Parliamentary Secretary of Tourism of Anguilla, Haydn Hughes; Juliana Johan-Boodram, Permanent Secretary of Trinidad & Tobago’s Ministry of Tourism and Russell Harrigan, chairman of the Board of Directors of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board.

Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean International copped the prestigious “ICN Corporate Leadership Award” for 2013 for it’s over $200,000,000 investments in the Caribbean region in the past 10 years.

Invest Caribbean Now is the brain child of Felicia Persaud and is now in its third year.

Kara Coleman, news anchor of One Caribbean Television emceed the forum which was sponsored by Avalon Partners; The Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency; Royal Caribbean Cruise, Ltd; One Caribbean Television, the American Chinese Commerce Development Association  and The Chinese American Business Development Center.

For 2013 presentations log on here or http://investcaribbeannow.com/presentations/

For more including additional photos and videos of the speeches and presentations stay logged on to InvestCaribbeanNow.com.

Among the corporate, governmental and economic heavyweights participating in the 2013 Invest Caribbean Now Forum were (l. to r.) Li Li, managing director of the Chinese American Business Development Center; Kara Coleman, news anchor of One Caribbean Television and ICN 2013 emcee; Peter Zhang, president of the Sino-American Friendship Society; Mike Ronan, vice president of government relations for the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia at Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines; ICN founder Felicia Persaud; Miguel Reyna, director, Port Business Development and Asset Management; Johnny Liu of the American Chinese Commerce Development Association; and Xiaoguang Liu, consul in charge of economic and commercial affairs of the Consulate of China in New York. (Hayden Roger Celestin image)

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. June 6, 2013: Caribbean governments were on Wednesday, June 5th, urged to participate in a business development and investment promotions trip to China this Fall as the curtains came down on the Avalon Invest Caribbean Now Forum in New York City.

The invitation was extended by Li Li, managing Director of the Chinese American Business Development Center and seconded by the Consul in charge of economic & commercial affairs of the Consulate General of China in New York, Xiaoguang Liu; and Johnny Liu of the American Chinese Commerce Development Association.  The three were part of a panel on ‘China and the Caribbean’ at ICN 2013, which came on the heels of Chinese President’s Xi Jinping first visit to the Caribbean island of Trinidad on May 31^st and his pledge of more than $3 billion in loans to 10 Caribbean nations and Costa Rica on June 2^nd.

“The Chinese private sectors are seeking opportunities in the Caribbean such as hospitality, real estate, healthcare and education industry because they are easy to operate, are transparent and create jobs,”  Li told the packed room at the Radisson Martinique Hotel Wednesday.

She said the Caribbean, located in the center of the Americas, provides the advantage of easy access to markets in the North, South and Central America and serves as a bridge to the markets in Europe.

Citing statistics that said up to 100 million Chinese will be traveling abroad by 2015, Li said the time was right for the Caribbean to target this key demographic, especially since the Chinese consumer works hard and has spending power and “the Caribbean has garnered critical acclaim as a Mecca for tourism with significant investments in that and related sectors.”

Li also pointed to figures that showed the Chinese outbound travel market will be $590 billion by 2020.

The panel was presented by the Sino-American Friendship Association, (SAFA) and supported by The Chinese American Business Development Center, (CABDC) and the American Chinese Commerce Development Association, (ACCDA).Arthur Piccolo of the New Sports Group moderated the forum.

Meanwhile, Anthony Eterno, of the Caribbean Affairs Office of the Western Hemisphere Division in the US State Department, in his speech on the “US’ views on Investing In The Caribbean,” insisted that the U.S. Obama administration remains committed to an economic partnership with the region that stimulates growth.

And in opening remarks, ICN Founder and CMO of Hard Beat Communications, Felicia Persaud, urged Caribbean governments to  do more to “tell and sell” the diverse Caribbean investment story to the right people because the region “is relevant” despite what the naysayers may claim.

“We are relevant when 11 Caribbean nations are in the top 100 when it comes to ease of doing business but only seven for Latin America and eight for Africa,” said Persaud. “We are relevant when eight nations in the Caribbean are ranked in the top 100 fastest growing economies globally compared to 10 for Latin America as of 2012 … a difference of two … and we are relevant when the world’s richest man invests Caribbean.”

Over twelve dozen delegates attended the Avalon Invest Caribbean Now Forum at the Radisson Martinique Hotel in mid-town, Manhattan, including Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands, Dr. Rufus Ewing and his Minister of Finance C. Washington Misick; Minister of Tourism & International Transport, International Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs St. Kitts, Ricky Skerritt; Minister for Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, St. Lucia, Lorne Theophilus; Minister of Tourism Nevis, Mark Brantley; Minister of Tourism of Antigua & Barbuda, John Maginley; Minister of Tourism, Sports & Culture, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Cecil McKie; Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary, Division of Tourism and Transportation, Tobago; Nicolaas Sneek, Commissioner, St. Eustacius; Minister of Tourism of The Bahamas, Obie Wilchcombe and Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and Commissioner of the United States Virgin Islands, Beverly Nicholson Doty.

Speakers and presenters included Miguel Reyna, director, Port Business Development and Asset Management, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.; Heather Flossiac of Belle Vue Properties of St. Lucia; E. Jay Saunders, CEO of Digicel TCI; Brian Lilly, founder of One Caribbean Television and Ganesh Ramanathan, creative director at Hard Beat Communications; Dr. Grace Lappin of Avalon Partners, Inc. And Arthur Piccolo of the Bowling Green Association.

The “ICN 2013 Corporate Leadership Award” was presented to Royal Caribbean International,

In brief remarks, Adam Goldstein, President and CEO of RCCL, said “The Caribbean has been the heart and soul of who we are and where we go for over 40 years, and we are honored to receive the 2013 ‘Invest Caribbean Now Corporate Leadership Award” as our goal is to continue to work closely with the Caribbean so that their ability to retain and attract cruise ships remains as strong and robust as ever and we look forward to being a leader and working to help recognize the region’s value.”

Mike Ronan, vice president of government relations for the Caribbean, Latin America & Asia at RCCL, represented Golstein at the event and accepted the prestigious award that is given to one individual or corporation each year for their above par investments in the region.

Invest Caribbean Now is organized annually by The Caribbean Tourism Organization and digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications, during Caribbean Week in New York. The event is the brain child of Persaud and is now in its third year.

Kara Coleman, news anchor of One Caribbean Television emceed the forum which was sponsored by Avalon Partners; The Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency; Royal Caribbean Cruise, Ltd; One Caribbean Television, The Chinese American Business Development Center, the American Chinese Commerce Development Association and No-Jet-Lag.

2013 media partners included the PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, WINN FM of St. Kitts, South Florida Caribbean, Caribseek, Antigua Tribune, Bahamas Spectator, Barbados Gazette, British Caribbean News, Caribbean ET Roundup, Caribbean Financials, Cuba Chronicle, Dominica Gazette, Dominican Republic Post, Dutch Caribbean News, French Caribbean News, Grenada Chronicle, Guyana Inquirer, Haiti Gazette, Jamaica Inquirer, Puerto Rico Tribune, St. Kitts Gazette, St. Lucia Chronicle, St. Vincent Tribune, Trinidad Tribune, the Bajan Reporter, The Bahamas Weekly and Bahamas Local.

For more including additional photos and videos of the speeches and presentations stay tuned for continuous updates on to InvestCaribbeanNow.com.

Turks & Caicos Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing addressing guests at the TCI sponsored Avalon ICN VIP party on June 4, 2013. (Hayden Roger Celestin image)

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. May 5, 2013: More than a dozen Caribbean governments will gather in New York City this morning for the third annual Invest Caribbean Now Forum.

Two premiers, a chief minister, a governor; seven ministers of governments and two commissioners will join more than a hundred delegates, including from China; the U.S. government and the private sector for the Avalon Invest Caribbean Now Forum at the Radisson Hotel in mid-town, Manhattan.

The event comes on the heels of last night’s opening reception for speakers, sponsors and VIPS, which was hosted by the Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency and the Government of the Turks & Caicos Islands at the Yale Club in NYC.

In brief remarks, Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands, Dr. Rufus Ewing, insisted his country is open for business.

Governments who will attend the forum today will include Dr. Orlando Smith, Premier of the British Virgin Islands; Chief Minister of Anguilla, Hubert Hughes;  Governor John De Jong, Jr. of the United States Virgin Islands; Finance Minister Washington Misick of the Turks & Caicos Islands;  Minister of Tourism of Trinidad Stephen Cadiz; Minister of Tourism of Antigua, John Maginley; Minister of Tourism, Nevis, Mark Brantley; Minister of Tourism, Sports & Culture, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Cecil McKie; Minister of Tourism & International Transport, International Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs of St. Kitts, Ricky Skerritt and Minister for Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, St. Lucia, Lorne Theophilus; Commissioner of Tourism for the US Virgin Islands and Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Beverly Nicholson Doty; Commissioner, St. Eustacius, Nicholas Sneek and Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary, Division of Tourism and Transportation of Tobago were among governmental dignitaries.

Anthony Eterno of the Caribbean Affairs Office of the US State Department, who will speak on the US’ view on investing in the Caribbean and Xiaoguang Liu, Consul in charge of economic & commercial affairs at the Consulate General of China in New York, will also speak on Wednesday morning on the China-Caribbean opportunities that exist as part of a panel on China and the Caribbean.

The sold out Forum will begin at 8:30 a.m. sharp with a welcome by emcee Kara Coleman, news anchor of One Caribbean Television and opening remarks from founder of ICN and CMO of Hard Beat Communications, Felicia Persaud.

This will be followed by remarks from CTO Chair Nicholson-Doty and a speech by Eterno; Premier Dr. Ewing and his finance minister, Washington Misick.

Two panels will then follow – one on Development, Tourism & Beyond with Heather Flossiac of Belle Vue Properties of St. Lucia; E. Jay Saunders, CEO of Digicel TCI; Brian Lilly, founder of One Caribbean Television and Ganesh Ramanathan, creative director at Hard Beat Communications and the other on China and the Caribbean that will feature Liu; Johnny Liu of the American Chinese Commerce Development Association and Li Li, managing director of the Chinese American Business Development Center.

The panels will be moderated respectively, by Dr. Grace Lappin, managing director of Avalon Partners and Arthur Piccolo of the New Sports Group, who is replacing Martin Mohabeer of Spackman Capital.

The formal forum will wrap up at 10:30 a.m. with a presentation by Miguel Reyna – Director, Port Business Development and Asset Management, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd and the ICN corporate leadership award presentation to Royal Caribbean International. An hour long doing business and networking session will bring the curtains down on ICN 2013.

The Avalon Invest Caribbean Now Forum comes on the heels of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden’s Caribbean trip on May 28^th for the signing of the United States – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, (TIFA) and the first visit to Trinidad & Tobago by the Chinese President Xi Jinping, which will take place from May 31 to June 2.

Invest Caribbean Now is organized annually by The Caribbean Tourism Organization and digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications, during Caribbean Week in New York.

ICN 2013 is sponsored by marquee sponsor Avalon Partners; gold sponsors, The Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency and Royal Caribbean Cruise, Ltd; bronze sponsor, One Caribbean Television and supporting sponsors, The Chinese American Business Development Center, the American Chinese Commerce Development Association and No-Jet-Lag.

2013 media partners include the PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, WINN FM of St. Kitts, South Florida Caribbean, Caribseek, Antigua Tribune, Bahamas Spectator, Barbados Gazette, British Caribbean News, Caribbean ET Roundup, Caribbean Financials, Cuba Chronicle, Dominica Gazette, Dominican Republic Post, Dutch Caribbean News, French Caribbean News, Grenada Chronicle, Guyana Inquirer, Haiti Gazette, Jamaica Inquirer, Puerto Rico Tribune, St. Kitts Gazette, St. Lucia Chronicle, St. Vincent Tribune, Trinidad Tribune, the Bajan Reporter, The Bahamas Weekly and Bahamas Local.

For more, log on to InvestCaribbeanNow.com.

Royal Caribbean International President & CEO, Adam Goldstein and VP Mike Ronan, will accept the award on behalf of the company.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. June 3, 2013: Celebrating more than four decades in business, Royal Caribbean International will be honoured for its investments in the Caribbean region during Caribbean American Heritage Month in New York City this June.

Royal Caribbean International will be presented with the ‘2013 Invest Caribbean Now Corporate Leadership ‘award on Wednesday, June 5^th at the Radisson Martinique Hotel, for its substantial commitment in serving the Caribbean region’s tourism sector, the current lifeblood of many nations.

The Avalon Invest Caribbean Now forum is the definitive Caribbean investment event, presented annually in conjunction with the Caribbean Tourism Organization, (CTO), the governmental arm of tourism; and digital media company, Hard Beat Communications. Held during Caribbean Week in New York, one individual or corporation deemed as excelling in its investments in the U.S.’ ‘Third Border,’ is selected to receive the coveted award each year.

ICN officials are honouring Royal Caribbean International this year for generously investing in the region and developing partnerships with governments and local businesses in twenty countries.  Royal Caribbean operates twenty-three ships that call at over twenty Caribbean destinations, bringing more than 8.5 million visitors to the region each year.

Over the last ten years, Royal Caribbean’s partnerships have been extensive, generating aggregate investments of over US$200,000,000, including the historic cruise port of Falmouth, Jamaica; Roatan Honduras Town Center and the cruise port in Belize City. In addition, Royal Caribbean operates its private destinations of CocoCay in The Bahamas and Labadee in Haiti.

Royal Caribbean International’s CEO and President, Adam Goldstein and Mike Ronan, the company’s vice president of government relations for the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia, will accept the award on behalf of Royal Caribbean.

In commenting on the award, Royal Caribbean International’s CEO and President, Goldstein, said: “The Caribbean has been the heart and soul of who we are and where we go for over 40 years, and we are honored to receive the 2013 ‘Invest Caribbean Now Corporate Leadership Award.’ At Royal Caribbean, our goal is to continue to work closely with the Caribbean so that their ability to retain and attract cruise ships remains as strong and robust as ever and we look forward to being a leader and working to help recognize the region’s value.”

As well, this year’s ICN program will focus on both the US and China’s investments in the Caribbean with speakers including Anthony Eterno of the Caribbean Affairs Office in the Western Hemisphere Department of the U.S. State Department; Xiaoguang Liu, consul in charge of economic & commercial affairs, Consulate General of China, New York; and Jianxin Lin, chairman of the American Chinese Commerce Development Association.

The forum comes on the heels of Vice President Joe Biden’s May 28th trip to the Caribbean for the signing of the United States – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, (TIFA) and the first visit to the region by the new Chinese President Xi Jinping that concluded on June 2nd.

ICN 2013 is sponsored by marquee sponsor Avalon Partners; gold sponsors, The Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; bronze sponsor, One Caribbean Television and supporting sponsors, The Chinese American Business Development Center, the American Chinese Commerce Development Association and No-Jet-Lag.

2013 media partners include the PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, WINN FM of St. Kitts, South Florida Caribbean, Caribseek, Antigua Tribune, Bahamas Spectator, Barbados Gazette, British Caribbean News, Caribbean ET Roundup, Caribbean Financials, Cuba Chronicle, Dominica Gazette, Dominican Republic Post, Dutch Caribbean News, French Caribbean News, Grenada Chronicle, Guyana Inquirer, Haiti Gazette, Jamaica Inquirer, Puerto Rico Tribune, St. Kitts Gazette, St. Lucia Chronicle, St. Vincent Tribune, Trinidad Tribune, the Bajan Reporter, The Bahamas Weekly and Bahamas Local.

TORONTO, May 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Scotiabank Chief Executive Officer Rick Waugh today announced his intention to retire as CEO effective November 1, 2013 after 10 years in the role and 43 years with the Bank.  He will remain a Director of the Board and assume the role of Deputy Chairman of the Bank until January 31, 2014.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130531/LT23880 )

The Board of Directors has appointed Brian Porter to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer effective November 1, 2013.  Brian was appointed to the role of President on November 1, 2012, and just prior to that was Group Head, International Banking, overseeing all of the Bank’s personal, small business and commercial banking operations in more than 55 countries outside of Canada. Brian was also Scotiabank’s Group Head of Global Risk Management and Treasury.   He joined Scotiabank in 1981, and has held a variety of other management positions, including Deputy Chairman of Global Banking and Markets.

“Rick Waugh has guided Scotiabank through a period of tremendous growth, generating exceptional returns for shareholders and employees during some very turbulent times. His focus on customers, diversification, emerging markets and risk management along with his strong values, has shaped the growth and direction of the Bank over the last ten years,” said John Mayberry, Chairman of the Board.

The Board expressed its confidence in Brian Porter appointing him President in November 2012.  Mayberry added, “We are pleased to take the next step in succession today by confirming him in the role of President and CEO effective November 1, 2013.   Brian has a tremendous range of experience across the Bank, including the critical role of Chief Risk Officer. The Board is confident in Brian’s ability to continue to produce strong results and build on the straightforward and proven business model that has worked so well for customers, shareholders and employees.”

“I want to congratulate Brian Porter on his appointment to President and Chief Executive Officer,” said Rick Waugh, CEO, Scotiabank.  “He has had an exceptional career at Scotiabank.  Brian and the management team bring the right experience, values and culture to ensure our Bank’s continued success.”

“It is a distinct privilege to have been entrusted with the role of President and Chief Executive Officer, and I would like to thank the Board of Directors and Rick Waugh for their confidence in my ability to continue to deliver superior, consistent and predictable results for all of our stakeholders,” said Brian Porter, President, Scotiabank.

Scotiabank is a leading multinational financial services provider and Canada’s most international bank. With more than 83,000 employees, Scotiabank and its affiliates serve some 19 million customers in more than 55 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a broad range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. In December 2012, Scotiabank became the first Canadian bank to be named Global Bank of the Year and Bank of the Year in the Americas by The Banker magazine, a Financial Times publication. With assets of $754 billion (as at April 30, 2013), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.

For further information:

Diane Flanagan [email protected] (416) 933-2176
Ann DeRabbie [email protected] (416) 933-1344

Anthony Eterno, U.S. State Department, Office of Caribbean Affairs, Western Hemisphere and Xiaoguang Liu, consul in charge of economic & commercial affairs of the Consulate General of China in New York are among the ICN 2013 speakers.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 31, 2013: Investment in the Caribbean region is bringing together a unique coalition for Caribbean American Heritage Month this June, as the United States, China and the Caribbean unite for Invest Caribbean Now 2013.

The sold out Forum on June 5th at the Radisson Martinique Hotel in New York City, comes on the heels of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden’s Caribbean trip on May 28^th for the signing of the United States – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, (TIFA) and the first visit to Trinidad & Tobago by the Chinese President Xi Jinping, which will take place from May 31 to June 2.

Xiaoguang Liu, consul in charge of economic & commercial affairs at the Consulate of China in New York will headline a panel on China’s growing interests in the Caribbean. Other panelists will include Jianxin Lin, chairman of the American Chinese Commerce Development Association, (ACCDA); and Li Li, managing director of the Chinese American Business Development Center, (CABDC). The Sino-American Friendship Association (SAFA) will present the panel, which will be supported by ACCDA and the CABDC and moderated by Martin Mohabeer, managing director of Spackman Group, a Hong-Kong based venture capital firm.

As well, Anthony Eterno, of the Office of Caribbean Affairs in the Western Hemisphere Division in the U.S. State Department, will discuss key issues regarding American investment in the Caribbean Additionally, US-based; Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd will discuss its investments in the Caribbean region before an audience that will include over a dozen Caribbean premiers and ministers of government.

In 2012, U.S. imports from Caribbean countries under the Caribbean Basin Initiative totalled more than $11 billion, representing a 178 percent increase over the past decade. U.S. exports equalled nearly $12 billion, representing a 133 percent increase over the past decade.

In 2011, China announced it would lend $6.3 billion to Caribbean governments, adding considerably to the hundreds of millions of dollars in loans, grants and other forms of economic assistance it has already channelled in the past decade.

Invest Caribbean Now is organized annually by The Caribbean Tourism Organization and digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications, during Caribbean Week in New York.

ICN 2013 is sponsored by marquee sponsor Avalon Partners; gold sponsors, The Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency and Royal Caribbean Cruise, Ltd; bronze sponsor, One Caribbean Television and supporting sponsors, The Chinese American Business Development Center, the American Chinese Commerce Development Association and No-Jet-Lag.

Speakers and panellists confirmed for ICN 2013 are:

Anthony Eterno, U.S. State Department, Office of Caribbean Affairs, Western Hemisphere;

Dr. Rufus Ewing, Premier Turks & Caicos Islands, (TCI);

Washington Misick, Finance Minister, Turks & Caicos Islands;

Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Chairman, Caribbean Tourism Organization, (CTO) and Commissioner Tourism, USVI;

Alan Lowenstein, managing director, Wedgewood Investment Group;

E. Jay Saunders, CEO, Digicel TCI;

Heather Floissac, managing director, Belle Vue Properties, Ltd;

Brian Lilly, CEO, Lilly Broadcasting and One Caribbean Television;

Adam Goldstein, president, Royal Caribbean International;

Miguel Reyna, director, port business development and asset management, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.;

Dr. Grace Lappin, managing director, Avalon Partners;

Xiaoguang Liu, consul in charge of economic & commercial affairs of the Consulate General of China in New York;

Jianxin Lin, chairman of the American Chinese Commerce Development Association, (ACCDA);

Li Li, managing director of the Chinese American Business Development Center, (CABDC);

Ganesh Ramanathan, creative director, Hard Beat Communications;

Felicia Persaud, CMO, Hard Beat Communications.

Other government attendees will include:

Premier Dr. Orlando Smith of the British Virgin Islands;

John Percy de Jongh, Jr,   Governor, US Virgin Islands;

Chief Minister Hubert Hughes of Anguilla;

Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister Tourism & International Transport, International Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs, St. Kitts;

Lorne Theophilus, Minister Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, St. Lucia;

Stephen Cadiz, Minister Tourism, Trinidad & Tobago;

Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary, Division of Tourism and Transportation of Tobago;

Mark Brantley, Minister Tourism, Nevis;

Nicolaas Sneek, Commissioner St. Eustatius;

John Maginley, tourism minister of Antigua & Barbuda;

Damion Crawford, minister of state, Jamaica;

Maryse Noel of Haiti

and Hugh Riley, secretary general, Caribbean Tourism Organization, (CTO).

Private sector representatives will include senior executives from JP Morgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, Nomura, CIBC World Capital, Ibis Investments, Aegis Capital, Portfolio Credit Management Limited, DHL, Marriott International, Spackman Capital, Royal Caribbean Cruise, Ltd., One Caribbean Television, Avalon Partners, Digicel, TCI, Scotiabank TCI and Sun Realty among others.

2013 media partners include the PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, WINN FM of St. Kitts, South Florida Caribbean, Caribseek, Antigua Tribune, Bahamas Spectator, Barbados Gazette, British Caribbean News, Caribbean ET Roundup, Caribbean Financials, Cuba Chronicle, Dominica Gazette, Dominican Republic Post, Dutch Caribbean News, French Caribbean News, Grenada Chronicle, Guyana Inquirer, Haiti Gazette, Jamaica Inquirer, Puerto Rico Tribune, St. Kitts Gazette, St. Lucia Chronicle, St. Vincent Tribune, Trinidad Tribune, the Bajan Reporter, The Bahamas Weekly and Bahamas Local.

For more, log on to InvestCaribbeanNow.com.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 24, 2013: The countdown is on to the Avalon Invest Caribbean Now forum, the definitive Caribbean investment meeting and the most promoted item on the Caribbean Week calendar, set for June 5^th from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Radisson Martinique, 49 West 32nd Street at Broadway in New York City.

With over 1,000 media placements already including on the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Bloomberg and Reuters, the conference remains true to its goal of matching international financial influencers with government officials and policy makers from “Paradise,” the last emerging market on earth.

Speakers and panelists confirmed for ICN 2013 are:

Anthony Eterno, U.S. State Department

Dr. Rufus Ewing, Premier Turks & Caicos Islands, (TCI)

Washington Misick, Finance Minister, Turks & Caicos Islands

Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Chairman, Caribbean Tourism Organization, (CTO) and Commissioner Tourism, USVI

Alan Lowenstein, managing director, Wedgewood Investment Group

E.Jay Saunders, CEO, Digicel TCI

Heather Floissac, managing director, Belle Vue Properties Ltd

Brian Lilly, CEO, Lilly Broadcasting and One Caribbean Television

Adam Goldstein, president, Royal Caribbean International

Miguel Reyna, director, port business development and asset management, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Dr. Grace Lappin, managing director, Avalon Partners

Xiaoguang Liu, consul in charge of economic & commercial affairs of the Consulate General of China in New York

Jianxin Lin, president of American Chinese Commerce Development Association, (ACCDA)

Li Li, managing director of the Chinese American Business Development Center, (CABDC)

Ganesh Ramanathan, creative director, Hard Beat Communications

Felicia Persaud, CMO, Hard Beat Communications.

Government attendees will include:

John Percy de Jongh, Jr,   Governor, US Virgin Islands

Hubert Hughes, Chief Minister, Anguilla

Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister Tourism & International Transport, International Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs, St. Kitts

Lorne Theophilus, Minister Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, St. Lucia

Stephen Cadiz, Minister Tourism, Trinidad & Tobago

Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary, Division of Tourism and Transportation of Tobago

Mark Brantley, Minister Tourism, Nevis

Nicolaas Sneek, Commissioner St. Eustatius

Hugh Riley, secretary general, Caribbean Tourism Organization, (CTO).

Private sector representatives will include senior executives from JP Morgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, Nomura, CIBC World Capital, Ibis Investments, Aegis Capital, Portfolio Credit Management Limited, DHL, Marriott International, Spackman Capital, Royal Caribbean Cruise, Ltd., One Caribbean Television, Avalon Partners, Digicel, TCI, Scotiabank TCI and Sun Realty among others.

A VIP only reception for sponsors, speakers, panelists and special guests will precede the forum on June 4^th at the Yale Club and will be sponsored by The Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency.

Tickets at US$185 are available only through May 24^th for the June 5^th forum at http://investcaribbeannow.com/registration/

The coveted 2013 ICN Leadership Award will be presented to Royal Caribbean International.

Invest Caribbean Now is organized annually by The Caribbean Tourism Organization and digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications, during Caribbean Week in New York.

ICN 2013 is sponsored by marquee sponsor Avalon Partners; gold sponsors, The Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency and Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd; bronze sponsor, One Caribbean Television and supporting sponsors, The Chinese American Business Development Center, the American Chinese Commerce Development Association and No-Jet-Lag.

2013 media partners are: The PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, WINN FM of St. Kitts, South Florida Caribbean, Caribseek, Antigua Tribune, Bahamas Spectator, Barbados Gazette, British Caribbean News, Caribbean ET Roundup, Caribbean Financials, Cuba Chronicle, Dominica Gazette, Dominican Republic Post, Dutch Caribbean News, French Caribbean News, Grenada Chronicle, Guyana Inquirer, Haiti Gazette, Jamaica Inquirer, Puerto Rico Tribune, St. Kitts Gazette, St. Lucia Chronicle, St. Vincent Tribune, Trinidad Tribune, the Bajan Reporter , The Bahamas Weekly and Bahamas Local.

NECKER ISLAND, British Virgin Islands, May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – In a joint effort to safeguard and bolster the Caribbean region’s tourism-dependent economy, fifteen Caribbean governments and seventeen corporations met on Necker Island, home of Sir Richard Branson, in the British Virgin Islands this weekend and committed approximately $64 million USD to preserve and protect the region’s marine and coastal environment, and accelerate efforts to transition to renewable energy.

“Protecting and harnessing the natural world is the greatest opportunity of our lifetimes,” said Sir Richard Branson, Founder and Chairman of the Virgin Group. “We can’t have much economic growth without a healthy Caribbean environment, and we can’t have a healthy Caribbean environment without healthy economic development. Solving the energy challenge and marine conservation challenge in the Caribbean go hand-in-hand.”

The event, launching the second phase of the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI), was co-hosted by the Prime Minister of Grenada, Premier of the British Virgin Islands, and Sir Richard Branson.  The event’s sponsoring partner was Tiffany & Co. Foundation, and the event was organized by The Nature Conservancy, with support from Virgin Unite, the non-profit entrepreneurial foundation of the Virgin Group, and the Carbon War Room.

“We are honored to be part of such a historic event, and we applaud our fellow Caribbean nations participating in this Summit,” said Prime Minister Dr. the Right Honourable Keith C. Mitchell of Grenada. “We are charting a path for future generations, stressing the importance of conservation throughout the region.”

“Governments and their people, companies and their consumers, and local communities all must work together to protect this beautiful region,” said Glenn Prickett, Chief External Affairs Officer for The Nature Conservancy. “This event has demonstrated that no longer is protecting nature viewed as a luxury, it is critical to the success of the region’s economy.”

Commitments announced at the Summit by individual governments to support these efforts included the establishment of a national trust fund to protect biodiversity in The Bahamas; adoption of a Protected Areas System Plan to protect 33 percent of marine and coastal environments in the British Virgin Islands; the establishment of 14 fish sanctuaries in Jamaica; a commitment to double the number of protected areas in Puerto Rico; Grenada’s reaffirmation to protect 25 percent of its marine and coastal environment; and Belize’s commitment to protect 30 percent of its marine and coastal environments with over 10 designated as no-take fishing zones.

In addition to these commitments, Defend Paradise, a campaign designed to generate funding for marine conservation in the Caribbean and raise consumer awareness of the marine environment was launched.

Access the full press release, video footage from the Caribbean Summit and photos.

May 20^th, 2013

News Release

Ben Cohen, Co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, INC.

CaribPR Wire, Port of Spain, Trinidad, Mon. May 20, 2013: The 3^rd annual Caribbean Investment Forum, (CIF), takes place on June 10^th and 11^th, 2013 with an exciting line up of local, regional and international speakers, headlining with Ben Cohen, Co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, INC.

Ben is the part of the duo which has helped to build a store-front venture into a $300 million ice-cream empire by making social responsibility and creative management, strengths instead of weaknesses. His business plan has been featured in his 2007 book “Values-Driven Business: How to Change the World, Make Money, and Have Fun” and explores the road map for starting a successful business. Ben has maintained that successful businesses can be environmentally and socially conscious and uses real-life examples in his book to show how “triple bottom line” practices-profits, people and planet, have helped businesses thrive.

The Ben & Jerry’s community –oriented approach to business where by good will, good times and good ice-cream are shared, will come to life at CIF 2013. Today a model for business success Ben and Jerry have been recognized for fostering their company’s commitment to social responsibility.

Ben’s presentation will deliver a rousing tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit, full of anecdotes and focusing on the importance of bringing social responsibility to the business world.

Ben Cohen will speak at the Opening Plenary of the Caribbean Investment Forum on June 10th, 2013, with a presentation titled: “Ben & Jerry’s Homemade – A Radical Business Philosophy,” and on Tuesday June 11th, 2013, he will share “The Ben & Jerry’s Story.”

Caribbean Investment Forum is an initiative of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment (MTII) and presented by invesTT, the investment promotion agency of Trinidad and Tobago. CIF takes place on June 10th and 11th 2013 at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre and will feature sessions on industries targeted for growth inclusive of Maritime, Agribusiness, Tourism, Business Process Outsourcing, ICT, Creative Industries and Energy.

Trinidad & Tobago’s Trade, Industry & Investment Minister, Vasant Bharath, second from right, chats with (l to r): President of InvesTT , Kelvin Mahabir,; TIC Chairman, Anthony Aboud, and Managing Director Full Circle Animation, Jason Lindsay, during the formal launch of the Caribbean Investment Forum held at the Hyatt Hotel on May 14, 2013. (PHOTO: SHIRLEY BAHADUR)

CaribPR Wire, Port of Spain, Trinidad, Tues. May 14, 2013: The 3^rd annual Caribbean Investment Forum, (CIF), an initiative of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, (MTII), and presented by invesTT, was launched today at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Port of Spain. CIF 2013 will take place on June 10^th and 11^th at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre and is expected to deliver two impactful days of high level discussions on investment opportunities in the Caribbean.

Emphasizing the forum’s mandate to attract potential investors was feature speaker Senator the Honourable Vasant Bharath, Minister of Trade, Industry & Investment. The Honourable Minister noted that meticulous planning was involved in the staging of CIF 2013 with the aim to not only bring investors to Trinidad and Tobago but to keep these investors here.

According to Mr. Kelvin Mahabir, president of invesTT, “As a platform for face to face discussion, Caribbean businessmen and industry experts have the opportunity to showcase the competitive advantages that their businesses and countries have to offer to the potential investor. It is an avenue for direct engagement of international counterparts and a direct link to new projects and investment profiles.”

CIF 2013 will build on the success of last year’s forum which welcomed more than 500 business persons and over 60 international, local and regional speakers to Trinidad and Tobago in an effort to develop industries with the potential for growth.

The targeted industries which will be the focus of parallel and plenary sessions at CIF 2013 include Maritime, Agribusiness, Tourism, Business Process Outsourcing, ICT, Creative Industries and Energy. The presentations will surround the 2013 theme: “Caribbean Competitiveness- The nexus of Innovation & Entrepreneurship” and will provide real and imminent examples of opportunities for development and growth. Leading the cadre of international speakers will be Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry Homemade Inc. who will present on successful business models.

The launch also served as an opportunity to highlight successful outcomes of CIF 2012, with a presentation by Mr. Jason Lindsay, Managing Director of Full Circle Animation. The animation sub-sector of the Creative Industries has benefited from the CIF model and is poised for further growth with the announcement of an animation incubator project which was recently established. This seeks to develop pilot projects of independent animators and the animation industry within Trinidad and Tobago and will be elaborated further at CIF 2013 during the parallel session on the Film Industry.

Foreign participation and potential investors are expected from the US, CARICOM, Canada, UK, Poland, United Emirates, India, Korea, Ghana, South Africa, and in Latin America-Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela.

Caribbean Investment Forum is the first event in a packed week of business activity in Trinidad and Tobago, and is followed by the Trade and Investment Convention (TIC). CIF 2013 is presented by invesTT, Trinidad and Tobago’s investment promotion agency.

Acquisition Accelerates Growth Strategy

NEW ORLEANS, May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Pan-American Life Insurance Group (PALIG), a leading provider of insurance and financial services throughout the Americas, today announced financial results for the full year ending December 31, 2012.

Revenues grew 19 percent to $560 million, while pre-tax operating earnings were down 27 percent to close the year at $25.6 million as a result of one-time acquisition-related charges of $19 million.  Excluding these charges pre-tax operating income increased by 13 percent.  Revenue gains were primarily attributable to growth in the Latin American markets where PALIG operates and the acquisition of MetLife Algico/Alico assets in the Caribbean, Panama and Costa Rica.   Net income for the year was $46 million compared to $32 million in 2011, reflecting strong operating results in all segments and one-time adjustments such as increased acquisition expenses, investment gains and the impact of M&A activity during the year.

“This was a milestone year for Pan-American Life and we’re beginning 2013 in an excellent financial position,” said Jose S. Suquet, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Pan-American Life Insurance Group. “This year we’ve been successful in continuing to execute our core strategy by expanding our operations in growth markets, while maintaining conservative financial management and a prudent risk profile.  Our improved revenue and operating earnings reflect our continued focus on execution exemplified by the acquisition of certain MetLife operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, the initial realization of value in markets such as Costa Rica and our continued investment in promising opportunities, such as Mexico and the Private Client Major Medical business.”

In addition to the MetLife acquisition and the opening of Pan-American Life’s Mexico office, the company also launched several new products in 2012, including LifeAccess, a competitive universal life product in Latin America and PanaBridge Advantage in the United States to capitalize on the supplementary health insurance market.

During the last six months of 2012, PALIG closed its acquisition on select businesses and assets from MetLife’s Alico/Algico units in the Caribbean, Panama and Costa Rica, providing the company with additional scale in its life and health segments and expansion into 13 new markets.  Operating results of MetLife businesses acquired by PALIG are included in the company’s 2012 consolidated financial statements.  2013 financial statements will reflect full year impact of these operations.

“The MetLife acquisition advances Pan-American Life Insurance Group’s strategy to become one of the leading life and health insurance providers in the Americas,” added Mr. Suquet. “This purchase enhances PALIG’s financial strength and expands our size and geographic footprint, and makes our high quality services available to customers in the Caribbean.”

“The acquisition adds 36 percent to our asset base, which now stands at more than $3 billion, increases our statutory gross earned premium by 42 percent to more than $685 million, more than doubles the number of countries in which we offer products to 22, and increase the number of insured lives by 54 percent to more than 1 million,” said Mr. Suquet. “The added scale, financial strength, depth of product offerings and added expertise offers PALIG the opportunity to continue to meet our growth objectives and become the preferred provider in all the markets in which we compete.”

PALIG’s financial strength and stability continue to be recognized within the industry. Earlier in 2012, Fitch Ratings and A.M Best reaffirmed Pan-American Life’s ratings with ‘A’ Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) rating and Stable Outlook.

2012 financial and sales highlights follow:

2012 Financial Highlights

• Total Assets: $3.0 billion
• Total Equity: $600 million
• Net Income: $46 million
• Total Revenues: $560 million

2012 Sales Highlights

• Overall sales in 2012 increased 15 percent
• Global Life showed a 9 percent increase
• International Group increased 28 percent
• Domestic Markets showed a 7 percent increase

About Pan-American Life

The Pan-American Life Insurance Group is a leading provider of insurance and financial services throughout the Americas. New Orleans-based Pan-American Life Insurance Company, the Group’s flagship member, has been delivering trusted financial services since 1911, employing more than 1,300 worldwide, providing top-rated life and health insurance, employee benefits and financial services in 47 states, the District of Columbia (DC), Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Group’s member companies offer individual and/or group life and health insurance throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The Group has branches and affiliates in Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and 15 Caribbean markets, including Barbados, Cayman Islands, Curacao and Trinidad and Tobago. For more information, visit the Pan-American Life Web site at palig.com.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. May 13, 2013: The Obama administration is sending a representative to Invest Caribbean Now this June, as the Caribbean Diaspora in the U.S. gears up for Caribbean American Heritage Month and Caribbean Week in New York.

Anthony Eterno, of the U.S. State Department’s Office of Caribbean Affairs, Western Hemisphere division, will attend the June 5^th forum in New York City and speak on the US’ views on trade and investment in the Caribbean.

Eterno is a 15-year veteran diplomat with the Department who has worked in the Caribbean for close to two years and whose expertise includes economic affairs.

Invest Caribbean Now is organized annually by The Caribbean Tourism Organization and digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications, during Caribbean Week in New York. This year it is being presented by marquee sponsor, Avalon Partners in conjunction with The Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency and One Caribbean Television.

This year the event is set for the Radisson Martinique hotel in New York City from 7:30- to 11:30 a.m. and will be preceded by an invitation only reception at The Yale Club on June 4^th.

Other speakers will include Alan Lowenstein of Wedgewood Investment Group; Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands, Dr. Rufus Ewing; Finance Minister of the Turks & Caicos Islands, Washington Misick and panellists on Development Tourism as well as on China and the Caribbean.

Government attendees will include Governor of the US Virgin Islands, John Percy de Jongh, Jr; Chief Minister of Anguilla, Hubert Hughes; Chairman of the CTO and Commissioner of Tourism For the USVI, Beverly Nicholson Doty; Minister of Tourism & International Transport, International Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs St. Kitts, Ricky Skerritt; Lorne Theophilus, Minister for Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, St. Lucia; Stephen Cadiz, Minister of Tourism, Trinidad &  Tobago; Orville London, Sec. of the House of Assembly, Tobago; Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary, Division of Tourism and Transportation – Tobago and Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Hugh Riley. Private sector reps will come from JP Morgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, Nomura, CIBC World Capital, Ibis Investments, Aegis Capital, Portfolio Credit Management Limited, DHL, Marriott International, Spackman Capital, the Lugano Group, Damoola, One Caribbean Television, Avalon Partners, Digicel, TCI and Scotiabank TCI.

Only a few tickets at $185 each are still available for the June 5th forum at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=7phqhyn6&oeidk=a07e6oz57kp0f880fbe

Supplementary information on the event can be found on the event’s pages on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/invest.caribbean and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/InvestingCarib

TAMPA, Fla., May 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – The following statement is being issued by the United States Department of Justice:

Persons who lost money from investments in companies operated by David A. Smith, doing business as Overseas Locket International Corporation (”OLINT”), and related companies may be eligible to receive compensation from the United States Government.

Smith claimed that the companies were private investment clubs that purportedly traded in foreign currency on investors’ behalf. Smith made false and fraudulent statements indicating that members could expect high returns on their investment with low risk to principal. Rather than investing the funds as promised, Smith used them for personal gain and paid returns using new investors’ money, in a classic Ponzi scheme.

Smith was convicted in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in September 2011 on multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering, in the case of United States v. David A. Smith, No. 6:10-cr-232-35DAB (M.D. Fla.). As part of his criminal sentence, Smith was ordered to forfeit assets seized by federal authorities.

The forfeited funds will be returned to victims of the scheme through a process called Remission. To be considered for Remission, a Petition for Remission Form must be submitted to the Remission Administrator. A copy of the Petition Form can be obtained from the Remission Administrator’s website: www.gilardi.com/DSmithRemissionFund. The Petition Form must include evidence of relevant investments and returns, including copies of all required supporting documentation.

Persons needing assistance in completing the Petition Form or with questions about the Remission Fund may call 1-877-281-4446; or send an email to [email protected]; or visit the Remission website at www.gilardi.com/DSmithRemissionFund.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 3, 2013: The deadline for exhibitors and advertisers to sign up for the Avalon Invest Caribbean Now 2013 forum is drawing to a close and so is the opportunity to reach and do business with almost a dozen Caribbean governments, investors and high net worth delegates.

Invest Caribbean Now, (ICN), which is presented annually by The Caribbean Tourism Organization, (CTO), and digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications during Caribbean Week in New York and Caribbean American Heritage Month in the United States, is set for June 5^th from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Radisson Martinique Hotel, 49 West 32 Street in New York City. An invitation only VIP reception at The Yale Club, presented by The Government of The Turks & Caicos Islands, will precede the event on June 4th.

The definitive Caribbean investment forum, will feature a United Nations-type “general assembly” of ministers from about a dozen nations from the Caribbean, including a delegation from the Turks & Caicos Islands led by Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing Finance Minister and Washington Misick; Minister of Tourism & International Transport, International Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs St. Kitts, Ricky Skerritt; Chief Minister of Anguilla, Hubert Hughes; Minister for Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, St. Lucia, Lorne Theophilus; Chairman of the CTO and Commissioner of Tourism for the USVI, Beverly Nicholson Doty and Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary, Division of Tourism and Transportation of Tobago, among others.

Only six exhibitor table spots are available and four ad spots remain in the 2013 Program Directory. Interested companies can email Joe Bernstein at [email protected] before May 7^th to sign up or get more information at http://investcaribbeannow.com/partnership-options/

Speakers will include Alan Loewenstein of Wedgewood Capital; Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing and Minister Washington Misick of the Turks & Caicos Islands; Sun Guoxiang, the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in New York City; Chair of the CTO, Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Brian Lilly, CEO of Lilly Broadcasting and One Caribbean Television, Ganesh Ramanathan of Hard Beat Communications, and Grace Lappin of Avalon Partners.

Tickets for the June 5th forum are now $185 and only a few remain at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=7phqhyn6&oeidk=a07e6oz57kp0f880fbe

Invest Caribbean Now is the most promoted event on the Caribbean Week in New York calendar, with over 200 media placements to date in the US, Caribbean and Latin American media and advertising via 30 media partners – on television, on radio and the web.

ICN 2013 is made possible with sponsorship dollars from marquee sponsor Avalon Partners, gold and reception sponsor, The Government of the Turks & Caicos Islands; and bronze sponsor, One Caribbean Television.

CaribPR Wire, PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Weds. May 1, 2013: Latin American buyer attendance at The Trade & Investment Convention is on the upswing for 2013, as Argentina, Brazil and the Dominican Republic have made commitments to bring delegations from leading businesses from their countries to conduct trade on the showroom floor.

Buyers, (businesses seeking suppliers of goods and services from exhibitors on the tradeshow floor), are also registered from Poland, Panama, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Belize, Canada, the United States of America, Curaçao, the UK, Saint Maarten, Peru, Venezuela and as far afield as the United Arab Emirates.

Representatives from these countries will include distributors, exporters, importers, manufacturers and service providers interested in several local sectors such as agriculture, construction, energy, paper and printing, packing and labeling and food and beverage.

According to Anthony Aboud, Executive Chairman of TIC: “TIC has always received tremendous support from our local manufacturers and businesses and so it is even more rewarding to know our foreign counterparts understand that for anyone serious about doing business in T&T, TIC is the place to be.”

Hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association, the Trade & Investment Convention, (TIC), will celebrate its Fourteenth Anniversary from June 12th – 15th, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Port of Spain, Trinidad.

One of the largest and most influential business-to-business events in the region, TIC is focused on business networking and trade, and includes a tradeshow, business to business matchmaking, a business education programme and multiple networking events.

TIC is sponsored by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, First Citizens and the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago.

For more information on TIC please contact:

Ms. Natasha Brown

Email: [email protected]

Tel: (868) 675-8862 ext. 227

Fax: (868) 675-9000

Delegates at ICN 2012. (Sharon Bennett image)

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. April 26, 2013: Invest Caribbean Now officials are urging all Caribbean nationals and friends of the Caribbean to assist those who suffered from the Boston terror bombing on April 15th.

Felicia Persaud, the organizer of Invest Caribbean Now, said everyone should put the victims of the attack and Boston first. Invest Caribbean Now, while still seeking support for its next event, took time to make a donation to the Boston Fund. Persaud urges everyone involved to do the same.  ”If we can set an example in our own small way we hope that is worth something,” she said.

Boston is made up of some 27 percent of Caribbean immigrants.“Caribbean nationals have lived in the United States since during slavery and continue to build this country up not tear it down,” said ICN officials. “So it is important for us to show our love and support in a tangible way for this our adopted homeland. We hope all Caribbean nationals and friends of ICN will support the people of Boston in this tragedy.”

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino have announced the creation of “The One Fund Boston,” which will raise money to help those affected by the tragic events that unfolded during the Marathon.

Invest Caribbean Now is being presented this year by Avalon Partners in conjunction with The Caribbean Tourism Organization; digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications and One Caribbean Television, during Caribbean Week in New York.

Attendees this year will get the chance to learn about investment opportunities in the Turks & Caicos from its premier, Dr. Rufus Ewing and the country’s Minister of Finance C. Washington Misick while also getting a chance to meet ministers of government from several other territories.

Additionally, there will be panels of development, tourism and beyond as well as a discussion on China’s growing involvement in the Caribbean and the special presentation to this year’s corporate leadership award winner.

Early bird tickets for ICN 2013 will be available only through April 30^th at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=7phqhyn6&oeidk=a07e6oz57kp0f880fbe. Persons seeking tables of 10 are also urged to book before April 30^th at http://investcaribbeannow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Tablesponsor.pdf

A US$500 journal ad offer is available through April 30^th at http://investcaribbeannow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ProgramJournal.pdf for companies who would like to target the high end audience but cannot be present. The half-page color ad will be published in the event’s journal and stay archived on the website, InvestCaribbeanNow.com for year-round exposure.

Partners for ICN 2013 are: Avalon Partners, One Caribbean Television, The PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, Caribbean Lifestyle Communications of Trinidad, WINN FM of St. Kitts, South Florida Caribbean, Caribseek, The Bahamas Weekly, the Bajan Reporter , Antigua Tribune, Bahamas Spectator, Barbados Gazette, British Caribbean News, Caribbean ET Roundup, Caribbean Financials, Cuba Chronicle, Dominica Gazette, Dominican Republic Post, Dutch Caribbean News, French Caribbean News, Grenada Chronicle, Guyana Inquirer, Haiti Gazette, Jamaica Inquirer, Puerto Rico Tribune, St. Kitts Gazette, St. Lucia Chronicle, St. Vincent Tribune, Trinidad Tribune, and Bahamas Local.

CaribPR Wire, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, WI, Wednesday April 24, 2013: At the 4^th District American Advertising Federation, (AAF), ADDY Awards Gala on April 20th, agencies from the Caribbean scooped up 32 Gold and Silver District awards as well a Charlie Award for the best of Sales Promotion. One thousand, three hundred and thirty-four entries were judged in the competition including Fortune 500 companies like Disney, Royal Caribbean and McDonald’s.

This year was a blockbuster year for the Caribbean Advertising Federation, (CAF). The CAF took home top honors for the 4^th District of Florida and the Caribbean, for having the most ADDY entries and sixth largest increase in entries for the entire United States.

“This is an outstanding accomplishment across the Caribbean region. The CAF has gained widespread recognition which not only elevates our organization but focuses national attention on our members,” said Renae Quinton, CAF President.

AAF National rewards this accomplishment by providing registration and travel expenses for the CAF President and ADDY Chair to attend the national AAF convention and national ADDY awards presentation in Phoenix, Arizona in June.

This year’s success was celebrated enthusiastically by a large showing of Caribbean members at the District Gala in Florida. Trinidadian agency, Ross Advertising attended and took home a Gold for its flawless campaign creation of, The Hoop of Life.

2013 Charlie Award winners Everything Slight Pepper's Jeuannae Alkins and Shelly Ann Scott, (l-r.)

Everything Slight Pepper, won a Charlie Award for Best of Sales Promotion and a Gold ADDY for Single Unite Packaging for 3ZERO Rums by 3ZERO Ltd.

Michelle Rushing, District ADDY Chair said:  “Right from the start the 3ZERO Rum bottle design by Everything Slight Pepper stood out with its understated elegance. It was not just about the label, logo and bottle design as individual elements, it was how they organically came together to showcase the product capturing the judges’ attention.”

This is the first time in history a Caribbean agency has won a district Charlie Award.

Trinidadian agency McCann Erickson took home the District’s coveted Mosaic Award that recognizes cultural diversity.

Not only were the agencies in the region highly awarded, but the remarkable woman who started the CAF 18 years ago, Terri Brown, CAF ADDY Chair, took home the highest District award, The Jack Phillips Award for ongoing commitment and service to the advertising industry.

“I am honored to receive this award for my life’s passion — advertising,” commented Brown.

“Terri Brown is most deserving of the Jack Phillips award. She has been a champion in the Caribbean for the advertising industry for many years and is a strong proponent of the talent in the region,” stated 4^th District Governor, Marla Lucas.

Listed below are the District Gold ADDY wins that have automatically been entered to complete for a National ADDY, the third and ultimate level of the ADDY competition. National ADDYs will be presented in Phoenix, Arizona, in June at the national AAF convention.

2013 Caribbean and Virgin Islands Advertising District ADDY Winners and 2013 National ADDY Finalists

GOLD DISTRICT ADDY AWARDS

3ZERO RUMS

3ZERO Limited

Everything Slight Pepper

SALES PROMOTION— Packaging Single Unit

Poppitz, the frog who flew

Leizelle Guinness

Bepperton Entertainment Productions

COLLATERAL MATERIAL—Book Design

Abed’s “Ribbons” Mad Hatter Pantomime AD

Abeds

Red Advertising & Marketing Ltd.

CONSUMER OR TRADE PUBLICATION—Fractional Page Four-color

Hoop of Life

Ministry of National Security

ROSS ADVERTISING

PUBLIC SERVICE—Campaign

State Election Commission

The State Election Commission

McCann San Juan

PUBLIC SERVICE—Campaign

Guardsman Limited Audio

Guardsman Limited

Generousitas

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING—Sound / Music Only

SILVER AAF DISTRICT ADDY AWARDS

‘Welcome to Tobago’ Airport Sign

BP Trinidad and Tobago

McCann Port of Spain

OUT-OF-HOME / Outdoor Board Flat

Banks Can Launch “Obama” Magazine Ad

Banks Breweries

Red Advertising & Marketing Ltd

CONSUMER OR TRADE PUBLICATION

Grotto

Altman Real Estate

Virgo Communications

CONSUMER / TRADE PUBLICATION

Arden Park Vision Tree

Standard Pacific Homes

MLB Creative

NON-TRADITIONAL ADVERTISING

Digicel Value How I Roll

DIGICEL Trinidad

OGM Communications Limited

NEWSPAPER Color Campaign

Caribbean Buzz Helicopters Tourism Campaign

Caribbean Buzz Helicopters

MLB Creative

INTEGRATED CAMPAIGN

Cama

Garnier

McCann San Juan

RADIO Local :30

Baño

Garnier

McCann San Juan

RADIO Local :30

Caídos

Garnier

McCann San Juan

RADIO Local Campaign

Choice Wireless “Cut the Cord”

Choice Wireless

MLB Creative

RADIO :30

AL Thompsons – Valspar Paint TVC

AL Thompsons

Cayman 27

TELEVISION Local :30

No Weh No Betta Dan Yard

J. Wray & Nephew Ltd.

Advertising & Marketing (Ja.) Ltd.

TELEVISION Local :30

bmobile Epic

TSTT bmobile

Collier Morrison Belgrave

TELEVISION Local :60 or more

BPTT “I4TANDT”

TV Campaign

BPTT

McCann Port of Spain

TELEVISION Local Campaign

STAG Santana Series

Carib Brewery Limited

Collier Morrison Belgrave

TELEVISION Local Campaign

Guardsman Limited Video

Guardsman Limited

Generousitas

TELEVISION Cinema Advertising

bmobile epic

TSTT bmobile

Collier Morrison Belgrave

TELEVISION Cinema Advertising

smartWorld Posters

McCann Worldgroup

Generousitas

ADVERTISING INDUSTRY SELF-PROMOTION Single Medium Campaign

Choice Wireless “Cut the Cord” Jingle

Choice Wireless

MLB Creative

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING, Music with Lyrics

1962 Productions/One People Documentary Logo

1962 Productions/One People Documentary

Generousitas

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING Logo

Caribbean Buzz Business Card

Caribbean Buzz Business Card

MLB Creative

COLLATERAL, STATIONERY

Poppitz, the frog who flew

Leizelle Guinness

Bepperton Entertainment Productions

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING Illustration

La Toya Woods Carnival Centerfold

Feb 19 Newsday MENTALITY

Julie Mango Productions Ltd

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING Photography

Dana Mc Intyre Centerfold

April 22 Newsday MENTALITY

Julie Mango Productions Ltd

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING Photography

Get Rubis, Get GoingRubis

West Indies Limited

Virgo Communications

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING Music with Lyrics

MLB Creative 15th Anniversary T-shirt

MLB Creative

SELF PROMOTION

The Caribbean Advertising Federation is the first and only non-American member of the American Advertising Federation representing thousands of advertising companies in the US and Caribbean.

For membership information and entry materials for next year’s competition, email Terri Brown at [email protected] or like us www.facebook.com/CAFADDY.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. April 12, 2013: The Caribbean’s region’s diverse investment options go way beyond its talents like Barbados-born Rihanna, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt and Trinidad & Tobago’s Nicki Minaj.

Those options will be up for discussion when Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands as well as over a dozen other Caribbean ministers of governments gather for the international investment forum, Avalon Invest Caribbean Now 2013, (ICN 2013), on June 5th at the Radisson Martinique in New York City.

“Contrary to popular opinion, the Caribbean region is not just a vacation destination but a region that is rich in its diversity of  investment opportunities and talent, like we have seen in Rihanna, Usain and Nicki among others,” commented Invest Caribbean Now organizers.

“U.S. and Latin American investors in alternative markets would be well advised to look at this last emerging market on earth that is attractive to Chinese and Russian investors as well and make it a date to attend Invest Caribbean Now.”

Invest Caribbean Now is presented annually by The Caribbean Tourism Organization; digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications and One Caribbean Television, during Caribbean Week in New York, which falls during Caribbean American Heritage Month in the United States.

Limited partnership opportunities are still available by contacting Joe Bernstein at [email protected] or logging on to ICN’s brand new website at Investcaribbeannow.com.

Tickets for the June 5th forum are also still available. Register today at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=7phqhyn6&oeidk=a07e6oz57kp0f880fbe

Supplementary information on the event can be found on the event’s pages on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/invest.caribbean and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/InvestingCarib

Partners for ICN 2013 are: Avalon Partners, One Caribbean Television, The PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, Caribbean Lifestyle Communications of Trinidad, WINN FM of St. Kitts, South Florida Caribbean, Caribseek, Antigua Tribune, Bahamas Spectator, Barbados Gazette, British Caribbean News, Caribbean ET Roundup, Caribbean Financials, Cuba Chronicle, Dominica Gazette, Dominican Republic Post, Dutch Caribbean News, French Caribbean News, Grenada Chronicle, Guyana Inquirer, Haiti Gazette, Jamaica Inquirer, Puerto Rico Tribune, St. Kitts Gazette, St. Lucia Chronicle, St. Vincent Tribune, Trinidad Tribune, the Bajan Reporter and The Bahamas Weekly.