Charleston-Caribbean Leadership Summit

Conference April 23-25, 2008 Charleston, SC

Agenda Economic Sectors Session Background Material Sponsorships Site Location Accommodations Registration Summit Presentations

The Charleston-Caribbean Leadership Summit is a milestone event in the strengthening of South Carolina’s historic connections with the Caribbean nations. Since the founding of Charles Towne in 1670, our economy and culture were influenced by the area as much as the merchant ships were influenced by the prevailing trade winds that powered journeys between our ports and theirs. It is with great pleasure and anticipation that we are revitalizing those connections with a focus on mutually beneficial private sector investments. By bringing together leaders in four main sectors, the conference will facilitate renewed ‘trade’ routes in medical and public health, financial services, logistics and transportation, and internet and telecommunications between South Carolina and the Caribbean.

Medical and Public Health

Representatives from MUSC, including Chief of Staff Sabra C. Slaughter, will meet with the Dean of the Medical School of the University of the West Indies, Dr. Henry Fraser, to discuss several exciting collaborative efforts. Having previously participated in an NIH Fogarty program between Jamaica and the US from 1999-2005, MUSC doctors are eager to expand this successful program throughout the Caribbean. UWI is the ideal program through which to accomplish this.

Dr. Frances Wickham Lee of MUSC will present on the statewide network of healthcare simulation training and research centers that exists in South Carolina. The presentation will provide an overview of the MUSC experience creating a functional and successful healthcare simulation center and will provide guidance and information on how to implement the system elsewhere. Both MUSC and UWI will spend time discussing the ways in which their respective programs can benefit from collaborative efforts and exchanges.

Financial Services

Dr. Compton Bourne, President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Hector Morales, former US Executive of the Inter-American Development Bank, Amb. Albert Ramdin, Assistant Secretary-General of the Organization of American States, and Dr. Trevor Carmichael will all be leaders in the financial services sector discussion. These discussions will cover some of the current challenges and opportunities that exist for businesses and financial institutions in the Caribbean.

St. Bernard Sebastian, the founder of TransCaribeMortgage Finance Ltd., will present on the changing face of real estate mortgage financing in the Eastern Caribbean. His presentation and time provides an exceptional opportunity for real estate developers interested in the Caribbean to make strong ties and explore potential partnerships.

Representatives from Wachovia, Bank of America, The Dixon Group, and SunTrust Bank will participate as well.

Logistics and Transportation

Lincoln Price, Private Sector Liason for the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery, will present on the many opportunities that exist in the Caribbean in the logistics and transportation sector. Bernard S. Groseclose, President and CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority, will respond with information on the challenges and opportunities that exist in the industry.

Phil Minard, US Commercial Sector, John Hassell, President of the Maritime Association of South Carolina, Jack Maybank and David Shimp of Maybank Industries, and several other industry representatives will attend. From the Caribbean, we will have several well respected leaders representing private sector businesses, government offices, and sector organizations.

Internet and Telecommunications

The current chairman of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority Council of Ministers and Minister of Telecommunications, Sciences, Technology, & Industry for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Hon. Dr. Jerrol Thompson, will present in this sector. Ernest Andrade, President of the Charleston Digital Corridor, will respond and discuss the development of the CDC and knowledge based business growth.

With numerous IT, software, and research based businesses in South Carolina, the growth of this sector and possible expansion into the Caribbean has great potential. iMalls Global, Site Sell Education, Technology Business Services, Inc. and the Charleston Chamber of Commerce ThinkTec group are informed of the conference or planning to attend.

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