The panel will discuss the current state and future outlook of the financial services industry in the Caribbean region following the global financial crisis. It will consider how well-positioned Caribbean financial institutions were in confronting recent global challenges and the effect of potential regulatory reforms.  The panel will also discuss the growth trajectory of Caribbean financial services sector and the policies needed to promote the deepening of the Caribbean capital markets.
                                   
Panelists:

• Ms. Francesca Shaw, Chief Financial Officer of FirstCaribbean International Bank
• Mr. Wismar Greaves, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Insurance Corporation of Barbados Limited
• Mr. Robert Le Hunte, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Barbados National Bank Inc. Group

Moderator:

• Ms. Nadia Brancker, Journalist, The Barbados Advocate

The panel will explore methods for reducing the region's dependence on foreign sources of energy. It will discuss new energy generation initiatives focused on long-term sustainability and minimal environmental impact. The panel will also discuss how regional cooperation can foster clean energy projects and what level of government support is needed to develop the industry and best practices from other Caribbean countries that have made progress in this area.
                                   
Panelists:

• Peter Williams, Managing Director, Barbados Light and Power Co.
• James Husbands, General Manager, Solar Dynamics

Moderator:

• Dr. Indra Haraksingh, University of the West Indies and President, Caribbean Solar Energy Society

This panel will address a vital source of income for the region and explore methods for maximizing economic gain through tourism. It will consider both country specific and regional initiatives to attract tourists and generate wealth for local residents. Attention will also be paid to the current state of the air and sea bridge among Caribbean countries.

Panelists:

• Donna Wellington, Sector Specialist - Hospitality, FirstCaribbean International Bank
• Colin Jordan, President, Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association
• Julian Jordan, The Crane Hotel

Moderator:

• Dr. Winston Moore, President, Barbados Economics Society | Lecturer in Economics, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus

Caribbean Trade: Options, Opportunities, and Obstacles

This panel will discuss the progress made with regional and bilateral trade agreements in the Caribbean. It will focus on the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the efficacy of organization in promoting economic integration and cooperation among member states. Panelists will explore some of the current barriers to doing trade in the region and what can be done to eliminate or reduce these barriers. The panel will also discuss the current state of implementation of the "The Caribbean Community - Free movement of Skilled Persons Act".
                                   
Panelists:

• Ambassador Gail Mathurin, Director General, Office of Trade Negotiation of the CARICOM Secretariat
• Cherianne Clarke, Growth Policy Adviser, Department for International Development (DFID) Caribbean
• Joel Richards, Trade Consultant, Barbados Private Sector Trade Team
• Paula Byer, Chief Research Officer, Prime Minister’s Office

Moderator:

• Dr. Keith Nurse, Director, Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services of the University of the West Indies

The panel will have a particular focus on topics such as access to capital for medium and large enterprises, new business ideas for the Caribbean and what specific technical and managerial skill set is needed in the Caribbean in the future. It will also explore current issues surrounding development of the nascent Caribbean private equity industry and what a venture capital industry in the Caribbean should look like. It will also critically examine the barriers entrepreneurs face in the Caribbean.

Panelists:            

• Dr. Basil Springer, Director, Caribbean Business Enterprise Trust (CBET)
• Marcia Brandon, Executive Director, Barbados Youth Business Trust
• Mahes S. Wickramasinghe, Chief Administrative Officer, FCIB
• Mr. Ben Arrindell, Chairman of Barbados Private Sector Association

Moderator:   

• Dr. Avinash Persaud, Chairman, Intelligence Capital Senior Fellow, Caribbean Policy Research Institute