CABEI and Panama host top level regional forum on integration and competitiveness

The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and the Government of the Republic of Panamá, as President Pro-Tempore of the  Secretariat for Central American Integration  (SICA),  will conduct  the  top level regional forum "Positioning Central America in the XXI century: Trends and Perspectives" in Panama City on December 3rd 2013.

CABEI, through this forum, aims to create a window of opportunity to further delve into the knowledge on the current state of the regional integration process.

The forum foresees presentations by outstanding regional authorities well versed on the issue.

On the issue: Current status of the Integration process: challenges and perspectives, the General Secretariat of SICA, Carmen Vergara, will address the subject "Trends on the Integration Process from the economic-commercial perspective". Ana Hazel Escrich, Secretary of the Central American Social Integration System, will deal with the issue: Current Situation of the social sector at the regional level; and Nelson Trejo, Executive Secretary of the Central American Environment and Development Commission (CCAD) will present "Climate Change challenges on the region's economy." Cesar Salazar, Legal Counsel to the General Secretariat for Central America Integration, will cover the issue "Evolution of the Integration Process."

The second half of the forum will deal with the theme "Competitiveness in Central America" Dr. Nicolas Ardito Barletta, former Panamanian President, and General Director of the National Competitiveness Center, will present "The Competitiveness Agenda and Regional Development." For his part, Dr. Arturo Condo, President of the INCAE Business School, will share his analysis on the "Challenges for economic integration from the private sector's perspective," Javier Chamorro, representative of the Nicaraguan Investment development agency will lay out the issue on "Attracting and Developing foreign Investment." Hugo Bebeta, Director of the Sub regional Office in Mexico of the Economic Commission for Latin American and the Caribbean (CEPAL) will present his conference paper on "Central American Integration with other sub regions."

The seminar also includes presentations by CABEI's high officials on creative financing mechanisms to strengthen competitiveness in Central America.

The forum is made possible with the cooperation from the Panamanian Government through the Secretary of Foreign Relations.

CABEI is the leader and promoter of funding for the development and integration of Central America. From 2010 to 2012 CABEI has approved investments in the region for US$ 4652.9 millions and has disbursed US$ 3060.2 millions, amounts which have produced significant advancements at the levels of competitiveness, integration and sound social development of these countries.