Maritime Security, Transportation and Logistics to be featured at the 30th Annual Miami Conference on the Caribbean Basin

Washington, D.C.–Caribbean Central American Action (CCAA) will address the critical areas of Transportation and Logistics and Maritime Security at this year's Miami Conference on the Caribbean Basin, to be held at the Intercontinental Hotel from December 4 to December 6, 2006.

Highlighting the impact on overall regional trade and competitiveness, the sessions will discuss the efficiency of existing transport activities, current developments in private sector operations, and the implementation of region-wide standards. The Transportation and Logistics session, scheduled for December 5 at 2:00 pm, will specifically address the efficient & competitive movement of goods through the basin. Trade facilitation efforts including customs modernization in Central America and the Caribbean will serve as a background to the discussion and as a context for best practices.

Similarly, the Maritime Security session, scheduled on December 6 at 10: 00 am, will focus on next steps in the ISPS code implementation process, and the mobilization of financial and human resources to improve port security at the smaller regional ports. The session will also examine regional best practices that can be rapidly applied to respond to actual and potential threats, and discuss the development and implementation of region wide security standards.

CCAA Executive Director Anton Edmunds comments “both security in trade of goods and efficiency of logistics continue to be critical areas for the region’s development. These sessions will give leaders opportunities to identify applicable best practices and solutions to these issues.”

Invited speakers include port managers and associations, express carriers, international shipping companies, as well as representatives of local chambers of commerce and government agencies.

This Conference is an important milestone for CCAA as we celebrate 30 years of involvement in the economic development of the Caribbean Basin through advocacy, partnerships, and alliances with the public and private sectors in the region. The Conference will address the effectiveness of CAFTA-DR and the Caribbean Single Market Economy, the impact of energy and regional competitiveness, the effects of the Western Hemisphere Passport Initiative, and the role of Asia and Europe on the region.

Confirmed heads of state include President Enrique Bolaños of the Republic of Nicaragua, Prime Minister Owen Arthur of Barbados, and Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller of Jamaica. Other confirmed speakers include Luis Alberto Moreno, President, Inter-American Development Bank; 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; Thelma Askey, Administrator, U. S. Trade & Development Agency; Albert Ramdin, Assistant Secretary General, Organization of American States; and Manuel Rosales, Assistant Administrator the Office of International Trade, U.S. Small Business Administration.

Sponsors include Scotiabank, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Inter-American Development Bank, Tropical Shipping, Enterprise Florida, Florida FTAA, PriceSmart, Seaboard Marine, SOGENER, Taipei Economic & Cultural Office, Angostura, Bladex, FedEx Express, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Port of Miami, Rums of Barbados, Rums of Puerto Rico, Santa Lucia Estate Coffee, Super Clubs, Greenberg Traurig, LLP 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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