30th Miami Conference to focus on Efficient Energy Delivery and Biofuels Potential in the Caribbean and Central America

Washington, D.C.–Caribbean Central American Action (CCAA) announced today that it has scheduled two important discussion sessions on the energy industry for its Miami Conference which, in the wake of global fluctuations in the oil market and changing energy policies in the region, take on new relevance and urgency.

The first roundtable session, “Energy and Power Generation – Efficient Delivery”, will focus on discussing the challenges and successes associated with meeting growing customer demand, attracting new investment, infrastructure upgrade strategies and grid integration policies. Public and privately owned power generators face the challenge of increased regional energy demand by consumers. The investment decisions made by power generators now will dictate the effectiveness and quality of electricity delivery in the medium and long term. How do energy generators efficiently and cost effectively meet this growing demand and attract investment to upgrade aging infrastructure and facilitate grid integration? What role does the private and public sector play in load sharing and implementing newer, more efficient technologies? Are current national policies geared to promoting the right kind of investment to meet these future economic and social needs? Are there regional best practices in efficient power delivery?

The second roundtable, “Regional Energy Security – Potential of Biofuels”, will examine biofuels as a means of reducing the heavy dependence of the Caribbean on imported gasoline and diesel to fuel their transportation and energy needs. As oil prices escalate and fuel availability diminishes, local economies are hit hard. Ethanol and bio-diesel from home-grown crops represent sustainable fuel alternatives that can provide energy and economic security through diversification, domestically-controlled production, job creation in agriculture, and regional trade. Is the region willing and able to embrace new fuel technologies and attract financing and private investment? What are the policy and regulatory barriers that need to be overcome? Which commercial bio-fuel technologies are applicable to the region? What is the investment needed to develop competitive bio-fuel markets in the region? How can regional and global bio-fuel trade be facilitated? How easily can biofuels be integrated into the current energy infrastructure?

Other industry-oriented sessions will include panel leaders in the areas of telecommunications, agriculture, transportation and tourism. Important issue-oriented sessions will include maritime security, environment, disaster preparedness, corporate social responsibility and intellectual property.

CCAA's Miami Conference remains the only forum that focuses specific attention on the smaller economies of the Caribbean and Central America. The conference brings leaders from the private and public sectors together in a constructive dialogue to address relevant issues affecting the region and its economic prospects. Confirmed heads of state for this year’s Conference include Owen Arthur, Prime Minister of Barbados; Portia Simpson-Miller, Prime Minister of Jamaica; and Enrique Bolaños, President of the Republic of Nicaragua.

Other key speakers include Luis Alberto Moreno, President, Inter-American Development Bank; Tom Shannon, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Dept. of State; Adolfo Franco, Assistant Administrator, USAID; Compton Bourne, President, Caribbean Development Bank; Harry Brautigam, President, Central American Bank for Economic Integration; Robert Mosbacher, President, Overseas Private Investment Corporation; and Thelma Askey, Administrator, U. S. Trade & Development Agency.

Confirmed sponsors for the Miami Conference include Scotiabank, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Enterprise Florida, Tropical Shipping, Florida FTAA, PriceSmart, Seaboard Marine, SOGENER, Angostura, Bladex, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Port of Miami, Rums of Barbados, Santa Lucia Estate Coffee and Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice LLC.

CCAA is a non-governmental organization that promotes private sector-led economic development in the Caribbean Basin. More information on the organization and the Annual Miami Conference can be found by visiting CCAA's website at www.c-caa.org.

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