CCAA Forum to Focus on Impact of Energy Supply Security on Central American Competitiveness

Washington, D.C.–Caribbean Central American Action (CCAA) has announced that its 2nd Annual Central American Energy Supply Security Forum, taking place May 6-7, 2009 at the Real InterContinental Hotel in Guatemala City, Guatemala, will focus special attention on how energy supply directly impacts the competitiveness of Central American businesses and economies.  According the organization’s Executive Director & CEO, Anton Edmunds, “The key issue is whether energy policy is high enough on government and private sector agendas in Central America. While it has long been stated that energy and economic growth are inextricably tied together, the missing link is whether policies taken by countries in the region are forward leaning enough to assure consistent supply for growing socio-economic needs,” Edmunds concluded.

Speakers confirmed for the forum include Hugo Ventura, of the Economic Commission on Latin America and the Caribbean, Jorge Asturias, of the Latin American Energy Organization, Jay Gallegos of Mesoamerica Energy, Mark Lambrides, of the Organization of American States, and Elsia Paz, of the Federation of Renewable Energies in Central America & the Caribbean. Confirmed sponsors for the forum include Chevron and Exxon Mobil. Networking receptions will be sponsored by Rums of Guatemala. 

Some of the questions that the forum will address include: whether dissenting municipal authorities in some Central American countries should have the power to stop new investment; whether the lack of access to capital is so serious that it will impact the best laid plans for regional integration; and whether there has been a frank public-private sector dialogue on the impact on businesses and investors of current policy related to energy.   

Carolina Castellanos, Executive Director of AmCham Guatemala, stated that “As a strong promoter of free trade and free markets, the American Chamber of Commerce in Guatemala is glad to support the organization and development of this important event, which will contribute to advances in the region’s energy agenda.”  The American Chamber of Commerce of Guatemala is a strategic partner for the forum.  Other strategic partners include the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic.

Forum sessions will address the future of fossil fuels in Central America; the state of regional energy interconnection projects; the impact of a global recession on the investment and policy environment in the region; and Central America’s readiness for new regional and hemispheric energy partnerships.

Please note that space is limited and early registration is encouraged. For registration information, pleaseclick here. We also encourage you to visit our website www.c-caa.org for updates or to call 202-466-7464 ext. 24.

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 http://www.c-caa.org/. 

# # #

Back to Top