Trade and development in the region

(Caracas, September 4, 2007). To stimulate debate on issues relevant to Latin America, the Andean Development Corporation, Inter-American Dialogue and the Organization of American States (OAS) today opened the XI Annual Conference on Trade and Investment in the Americas in Washington DC.

CAF President & CEO Enrique García said the event was an important space for exchanges on issues of current interest to Latin America. "As on previous occasions, the conference will debate the most important issues in hemispheric relations, especially the common challenges that Latin America faces and US policy in the region," he said.

Among the topics high on the agenda, García cited the continental energy outlook, combating poverty and inequality, and the problem of crime as relevant issues which have a determining impact on governance and economic and social development in the region.

The panelists include Enrique Garcia; José Miguel Insulza, OAS secretary general; García Linera, vice president of Bolivia; Eduardo Stein, vice president of Guatemala; Guillermo Perry, World Bank chief economist for Latin America; Anoop Singh, IMF director for the Western Hemisphere; Teodoro Petkoff, editor of the Venezuelan newspaper Tal Cual; and prominent members of the US Congress, among others.