International experts on clusters to meet in Lima

(Lima, May 04, 2007).– On May 10 in Lima, CAF will hold the "International Meeting for the Competitiveness and Development of Business Networks." The event is part of the CAF Competitiveness Program and is intended to define future lines of action for promotion of competitiveness and business development in Latin America.

The international event has four main objectives: analyze the competitive advantages of clusters in the world economy; define the role of the public sector and institutional alliances in promoting clusters; generate value opportunities in commercial networks; and develop supplementary services to stimulate joint productivity.

The meeting will feature presentations from renowned experts such as Christian H.M. Ketels, professor at the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness, Harvard Business School; Claudio Maggi, development manager of Fundación Chile; and Carlos Alberto Dos Santos, director, SEBRAE, among other authorities on the area from all of Latin America with experience in consulting and positive development for business networks.

The purpose of the meeting is to stimulate the emergence and strengthening of business networks between national and international institutions, with a view to promoting programs and guidelines which continue the sustainable development of Latin American economies.

The opening of the event, on May 10 in Swissotel Lima, will be chaired by CAF President & CEO Enrique García and Peruvian Foreign Trade Minister Mercedes Araoz. The closing session will be chaired by Economy Minister Luis Carranza.