Regional Energy Ministers Confirmed to Attend Conference

Washington, D.C.–Caribbean Central American Action (CCAA) announced today that three DR-CAFTA country Ministers of Energy have already confirmed their attendance at the upcoming Central American Energy and Competitiveness Conference to be held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras on May 24-25, 2007. In attendance will be the Honorable Carmen Urizar, Minister of Energy and Mines of Guatemala, the Honorable Yolanda Mayora de Gavidia, Minister of Energy of El Salvador and the Honorable Julio Cesar Matamoros Alfaro, Vice Minister of Energy of Costa Rica. It is expected that in addition to energy ministers, DR-CAFTA energy regulators will also be in attendance.

Key invited speakers include the Honorable Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales, President of Honduras; Karen Harbert, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy and Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the Inter American Development Bank. Also already confirmed is Harry Brautigam, President of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration.

The Conference comes at an important time in the implementation of the DR-CAFTA agreement and the significant efforts being made at regional economic integration. It is clear however that a great deal more needs to be done to improve the region’s competitiveness notably through integration of the regional power market. Key to this effort and the central themes of this Conference are the needs to improve regulatory regimes and to encourage private sector investment in energy projects.

This Conference will encourage dialogue between the public and private sector stakeholders involved in power generation, transmission and generation including government regulators and policy makers, energy providers, the investment community and customers. Sessions will include Regulation of Power Generation and Supply; Energy and Competitiveness of Business and Industry; and Regulatory Practices that Encourage Investment. A special session will focus specifically on the host country, Honduras.

This event is being funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), with key support from the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). Collaborating partners include the US Department of Energy and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI).

Please note that space is limited and early registration is encouraged. More info on the conference is attached or can be accessed at www.c-caa.org.

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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