China-Caribbean Business Dialogue
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PRESS RELEASE
July 24, 2009
The impact of the global economic crisis, improving trade and business linkages between China and the Caribbean, and how to attract Chinese investment to the region will all be discussed at a China-Caribbean Business Dialogue to be held in Barbados on Wednesday August 5 at the Barbados Hilton Hotel.
A dozen officials and business persons from China are expected to attend the event, which is being hosted by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in partnership with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). Dr. the Hon. David C. Estwick, M. P., Minister of Economic Affairs, Empowerment, Innovation, Trade, Industry and Commerce. Barbados will deliver the feature address at the luncheon.
Executive Director of Caribbean Export, Philip Williams, indicated that the initiative to hold the session came from the China Council and was in keeping with China’s status as one of the leading economies in the world.
From Caribbean Export’s perspective, Mr. Williams said that the CARIFORUM region needed to rethink it trade alliances with the major countries in the world and China was one of them. He said it was the first time Caribbean Export had been invited to work on a project with China and he hoped it would lead to additional projects in the coming year. The Agency’s focus is on making business happen, he added, and he felt that while China had a lot to offer the region in terms of investment capital, the region also had something to offer China.
For example it was not only a gateway to North American and Latin America, but the region had highly educated people, and he hoped that some joint ventures might come out of the meetings. “It all depends on how dynamic our business people are, but certainly there is a lot of potential there,” said Mr. Williams and the investment flows did not all have to be one-way. He added: “The fact that they are interested in our region should be something we should be pleased about. It is similar to their overtures to other developing countries by others and part of China’s recognition that it is now a major world power.”
For further details about the meeting contact Veona Maloney at email: vmaloney@carib-export.com or click on the link below.
About Caribbean Export
Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) is a regional trade and investment organisation of the Forum of Caribbean States (CARIFORUM). Caribbean Export’s mission is to increase the competitiveness of Caribbean countries by providing quality trade and investment development and promotion services through effective programme execution and strategic partnerships.
More information about Caribbean Export can be found at www.carib-export.com. Contact: Cora Lowe, Research and Communication Officer, Caribbean Export Development Agency, Tel: 1+246-436-0578, Fax: 1+246-436-9999, E-mail: clowe@carib-export.com
