Government officials, entrepreneurs, non-profit leaders from the US and Haiti, as well as members of the Diaspora and the general public, will present and discuss investment opportunities in Haiti at the third edition of Haiti Business Investment Expo & Conference organized by Haiti Renewal Alliance.
The event will take place on June 28-29, 2012 at the Cafritz Conference Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC, and it's open to the public.
Highlights of Haiti Business Investment Expo & Conference include conference sessions, workshops, business and trade expo, capacity building expo, and a special session called "Investor's Tank" where business ideas will be presented and potentially funded.
"This year the event is primarily focused on business development and investments. Our goal is to engage the Diaspora and international investors in considering Haiti as a place to do business, and also invest should they be interested in investing in emerging markets of the developing world. I think there has been a lot of interest, and our attendance at the end of the day will show the interest of the international community and the Diaspora," said Dr. Magalie Emile-Backer, Vice President of Haiti Renewal Alliance.
Conference sessions cover topics such as:
The Business of Art and Culture
Infrastructure Development: The Key to Success
Innovative Strategies & Investment Opportunities for Haiti's Energy Sector
Haiti is opened for business: Is she?
Business of Tourism Development: Haiti’s Unique Niche
Investing in Haiti – An Emerging Caribbean Market
Haiti’s Agribusiness Industry: Innovative Strategies & Investment Opportunities
Project Financing
Diaspora’s Role in Haiti’s Economic Development
Workshops sessions include:
Setting Up a Business in Haiti 101
presented by Fritz Clairvil, CEO, Path To Haiti
Leveraging Effective Application of Direct Investment (LEAD) & Caribbean Idea Market Place (CIM)
presented by Nathalie Liautaud, Diaspora Outreach Coordinator, PADF/LEAD; and Thomas Debass, US Department of State
Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), Small Medium Enterprise (SME) Program and Protecting Your Business (political risk insurance)
both presented by Suzanne Etcheverry, Executive Director, OPIC
World Bank Group and IADB Procurement Process
presented by David Fulton, Advisor, IADB & WB Group
Guest speakers include:
Paul Altidor, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Haiti, Washington, DC
Bernice Fidelia, Presidential Office, Diaspora Liaison
Wilson Laleau, Minister of Commerce, Republic of Haiti
Frederica Wilson, US Representative, Florida 17th District
Thomas C. Adams, US Department of State
Gustavo Arnavat, US Executive Director, Inter-American Development Bank
Dr. Kit Miyamoto, Miyamoto International
Among panelists, there are representatives of non-profits and businesses such as Global Investment Group, The Smithsonian, CEEPCO, World Bank, Chemonics, Kylti, US Trade Administration, and others.
Dr. Garry Conille, former Prime Minister of Haiti confirmed participation at the event.
The innovation of this edition is the Investor's Tank session. Inspired by the Shark Tank TV show, the Investor's Tank offers a platform for entrepreneurs to pitch their business idea to investors, get valuable feedback, and potentially get funding.
This year, organizers expect over 1000 people to attend the Haiti Business Investment Expo & Conference. Last year the event gathered over 700 participants.
