CARICOM-CANADA BUSINESS FORUM

“NEW DIRECTIONS FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT LINKAGES“

Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, Port of Spain, Trinidad

November 17-18, 2008

DRAFT AGENDA

DAY ONE: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17th

8.30 a.m.Registration

9.00 a.m.Welcome and introductory remarks- Mr Nigel John, President of CAIC/Chair of the Forum- Confirmed

9.15 a.m.Address by Minister Lenny Saith, Minister of Trade and Industry, Trinidad and Tobago. TBC

9.30 a.m.High Commissioner Charles Court, Ambassador of Canada to CARICOM

9.45 a.m.Overview of CARICOM-Canada trade and investment & update on status of negotiations towards a new bilateral agreement–Mr Henry Gill, Director General, Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM).-Confirmed

10.15 a.m.Coffee Break

10.30 a.m.Opportunities and challenges in the bilateral economic relationship-Mr Emron Khan-Chief Executive Officer-K.C. Confectionary Limited-TBC

10.50 a.m.-Doing Business in the Caribbean-Tax Regimes and Requirments. Mr Rod Pennycook-Executive Vice President-Royal Bank of Canada C/O Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago Limited-Confirmed

SECTORAL PRESENTATIONS

11.10 a.m.Panel I: Energy, Mining, Environmental services Focus: Export Opportunities for Service Providers.

Moderator-Mr. Roger Packer,Vice-President of Energy-South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce (STCIC).TBC

Overview of the Energy, Mining and Environmental Services in the Caribbean-Dr. Thackwray Driver, Chief Executive Officer-South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce.-Confirmed

Overview of the Energy, Mining and Environmental Services in Canada-Mr. Joshua Hodgson, Senior Trade Officer-High Commission of Canada to Trinidad and Tobago. Confirmed

Panelists

Mr. Jacobus Jacobs, Country and Commercial Manager- Petro-Canada. TBC

Mr. Doug De Freitas, President-Kaizen Environmental Services Trinidad and Tobago Limited. TBC

Mr. Gregory Sparks, President/Chief Executive Officer-Sacre-Coeur Minerals LimitedTBC

Mr. Roger De Freitas, Country Manager-Canadian Superior Energy Inc TBC

12.10 p.m.Discussion

12.30 p.m.Lunch Break

1.45 p.m.Panel II: International Business Services –Financial Services. Focus:- Market Opportunities

Moderator-Mr. Nigel John, President-Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC)

Panelists.

Mr. Richard Young, Managing Director-Scotia Bank Trinidad and Tobago LimitedTBC

Mr. Robert Almeida, Chief Executive Officer-AIC Financial Group Limited.TBC

Mr. Ian Chinapoo, Managing Director-First Citizens International BankConfirmed

Mr. Douglas Comacho, President-Guardian Holding LimitedConfirmed

2.45 p.m.Discussion

3.00 p.m.Coffee Break

3.15 p.m.Panel III: Creative Industries ( music, animation, design/fashion) Focus: Innovation, Growth and Export Opportunities in the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Moderator:-Mr. Philip Williams, Executive Director-Caribbean Export Development Agency.

Panelists

Dr. Michele Reis, Research Consultant-Cultural Industries- Confirmed

Mr. Carl Beaver Henderson, President-Hott Music Group-Confirmed

Ms. Joan Vogelesang, President/Chief Executive Officer-Toonboom-Confirmed

4.00 p.m.Discussion

4.15 p.m.Panel IV: Building Products and Services

Moderator-Joshua Hodgson, Senior Trade Commissioner- High Commission of Canada to Trinidad and Tobago.

Panelists

Mr. Ali Ettehadieh, Executive Vice-President- Genivar-TBC

Mr. Martin G. Cherry, Vice-President, Caribbean-MMM Group-TBC

Representative-Methanex Trinidad Unlimited-TBC

5.00 p.m.Discussion

5.20 p.m.Adjournment

6:30 p.m.Reception.

DAY TWO: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18th

8.30-9.00 a.m. Plenary :- “Tools in the exporters Tool Kits “

Trade Facilitation Office (Canada)

Joshua Hodgson , Senior Trade Commissioner-High Commission of Canada

9.00-10.00 a.m. Roundtable Discussions with:

  • CAIC
  • Caribbean Export
  • CRNM
  • Trade Commissioner Service
  • Four break-out groups to develop recommendations on trade and investment issues to be addressed by governments and the private sector to stimulate greater trade and investment

Moderator: Mr. Nigel John, President of CAIC/Chair of the Forum

10.00- 10.15 a.m. Break

10.15- 11.00 Plenary to discuss findings of break out groups Chair-Mr. Nigel John

11.00- 11.30 Wrap up and final recommendations on enhancing bilateral trade and investment relations–Chair-Mr. Nigel John

11.30-12 noon Closing remarks