about the ACS Business Forum
The 16th Business Forum initiated by the Association of Caribbean States serves as a dynamic platform for fostering sustainable growth, facilitating increased production, and enhancing connectivity within the Greater Caribbean region. This premier event brings together government officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and international organizations to explore collaborative opportunities, share insights, and forge strategic partnerships. With a focus on leveraging technology and innovation, the forum aims to address regional constraints and unlock new avenues for economic development and prosperity.
WHEN
6-7 May, 2024
Where
Torarica Resort, Paramaribo, Suriname
about
The host of the 16th Business Forum: Suriname
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business & International Cooperation in Suriname, South America
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Suriname is tasked with managing the nation’s external relations, diplomacy, and international cooperation efforts. In hosting the ACS Conference, it showcases Suriname’s commitment to regional collaboration and economic development, led by H.E. Minister
Albert Ramdin and supported by a dedicated staff.
ACS
Greater Caribbean Cooperation
The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) is a regional organization promoting cooperation and integration among 35 member states bordering the Caribbean sea. Through various projects and initiatives, the ACS facilitates economic development, sustainable tourism, environmental protection, transportation & connectivity, and disaster risk reduction across the region, lead by this year’s chairman, His Excellency
Minister Albert Ramdin, Suriname.
Goal of the Business Forum
The goal of the ACS Conference Business Forum is to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders of member and associated states. By providing a space for experts, entrepreneurs, and government representatives to exchange success stories, discuss challenges, and explore collaborative opportunities, the forum seeks to catalyze sustainable growth, promote regional integration, and enhance economic resilience within the Greater Caribbean region.
Focus Areas The 16th Business Forum will focus on three key areas:
History History and stats
12th Business Forum of the Greater Caribbean was held physically on June 19-21, 2019, in Santiago de Cuba within the margins of the Cuban 16th ExpoCaribe Internation Fair and included webinars, TIPO Meeting and an Exhibition.
- 228 companies foreign & Local participated with 19 ACS Memership participants, 4 of which was led by Ministers and 3 by ViceMinisters
- 11 Chambers of Commerce and Trade Promotion Agencies from 8 ACS countries
- Forum activities were attended by 400 participants
- 119 B2Bs were held including agri-food, health and pharmaceuticals and manufacturing sectors.
- The Forum for Organisations Promoting Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (TIPO) which is a closed meeting included 5 countries and OECS as special guest
13th Business Forum of the Greater Caribbean was held virtually with 3 thematic webinars and a TIPO Meeting on October 28-30, 2020, and a Virtual Exhibition on November 11-13, 2020 within the margins of the annual Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA).
- More than six hundred (600+) participants across five (5) continents – including from the Greater Caribbean and the ACS Observers and partners – participated in the three open ACS webinars.
- The Forum for Organisations Promoting Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment which is a closed meeting included 5 countries from the ACS Membership.
- Exhibition included a virtual platform which allowed participating companies to showcase their products and services and interact with other businesses, partners and users via different media, including calls and chat messenger services. There was also a built-in option to host business to business (B2B) meetings using the videoconferencing application Zoom.
- Under its two (2) pavilions, the ACS hosted fourteen (14) export-ready Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from ten (10) ACS Member States
- The ACS received almost five hundred (500) visitors to both its pavilions.
- MSMEs specialising in construction, food and beverage, textile, and crafts and jewellery from across the region able to successfully network and generate business. Some of these business owners reported fruitful Business to Business (B2B) meetings and were eager to follow up on these initial encounters. International business networking was evidenced, as companies from the Netherlands Antilles, Saint Lucia, Panama, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago conducted productive discussions in the ACS B2B Meeting area.
14th Business Forum of the Greater Caribbean was held virtually with 3 thematic webinars and its TIPO Meeting on November 24-25, 2021, hosted by the Republic of Nicaragua. No Exhibition took place.
- More than 250 persons registered from the Business Community of the ACS Membership
- An official Business Forum Launch was held with participation from Ministers of Foreign Affairs representing the ACS Ministerial Council, the Chairman of the Executive Board of the Special Committee on Trade Development and External Economic Relations and the Host Country, Republic of Nicaragua.
- A website was prepared and included all the Business Forum’s information such as Agenda and Speaker’s biography and quotes on their respective topics.
- The Communication Strategy included promotional material such as flyers and posts which were also featured on the ACS social media platforms. Flyers for each webinar with speaker information and topics were also published.
- More than 250 personnel registered spanning the ACS membership and beyond, inclusive of Ministries, Chambers, BSOs and private organisations and MSMEs, as well as several layers of the Business Community.
15th Business Forum of the Greater Caribbean was held physically with 3 thematic webinars on May 9-10, 2023, hosted by the Republic of Guatemala within the ACS Ministerial and Summit Meetings. A local Exhibition took place.
- Approximately 150 persons attended from various ACS membership and trade businesses.
- Three thematic webinars took place.
- Over 25 B2Bs were held among participants.
- The Exhibition was managed by Guatemala and featured local entrepreneurs.
testimonial What Members are Saying
World's most influential media, entertainment & technology show inspirational speakers
including game changing not just a large-scale conference.
This is a hands-on workshop world designers and developers in which you will learn how to define other languag for collaboration.
Thomas Edison Sponsor
This is a hands-on workshop world designers and developers in which you will learn how to define common languag for collaboration.
Jordi Alba, Member
Keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you
